Hockey Highlights – 1st XI, Junior, U14 and U15A Teams
Senior Teams
Tuesday last week we got our seniors off o positive starts in their first full length fixtures of the season, playing against local rivals, Royal Hospital School. As expected in these derby games, it was action packed. After a less than ideal start to the game, the 2nd team bounced back with a strong performance in the second half, but had to settle for a one goal defeat, despite a goal by Year 11’s Sam and the heroics in goal by Year 12’s Indie.
The 1st XI team achieved a convincing win thanks to a brace of goals from Year 12’s William, and one each from Year 13’s Alfie and Year 12’s Sam. Mr Pineo was pleased with this excellent first win of the season. The team passed well – with conviction and accuracy – and held their shape very well in both defence and attack. The focus for the next match will be to now maintain possession for even longer periods by avoiding conflict using available space optimally. Congratulations to Player of the Match, Year 11’s Jasper on an outstanding performance.
Junior 2 Team
The Junior teams keep improving and being rewarded for their commitment and motivation at extra-curricular practice sessions. The Junior 2nd team has made it four wins from four in their opening matches of the season. A very satisfying win over Greshams the week before, saw the team carry on their momentum and goal scoring form against Old Buckingham Hall (OBH). Another win secured! Year 8’s Michael was on the score sheet yet again, with two goals this time, while Year 8’s Frank and Arthur also scored. Year 8’s Olly provided another very entertaining and excellent performance in goal – making the win sound easier than it was. Player of the Match was awarded to Year 7’s Max, who played with maturity and control, and putting feedback into action. Well done, Max.
Junior 1 Team
The Junior 1st team followed their positive performance against Greshams the week before, with a good win against OBH. The team started excellently, scoring in the opening minute via Year 8’s Dex, but then didn’t capatalise on numerous more chances created in the first half. This encouraged OBH and when Woodbridge’s discipline waned, OBH benefited to go into half time in the lead. Woodbridge regrouped at the break and restarted the match like a different team. Year 8’s Alfie P made a real impact at right mid throughout the second half and was desperately unlucky not to score a couple of goals himself. Dex made things level early in the half, before co-captain Year 8’s Otto H, scored the winner. Woodbridge had to continue fighting and stop half chances, one excellent such effort was a match winning interception by Year 8’s Olly R. Year 8’s Goalkeeper Max had a great game. Our Player of the Match was Dex, who was influential as forward.
Junior 3 and 4 Team
The Junior 3s outplayed their OBH opponents on every level. The goals were spread around the team, with Year 7’s Arthur D and Year 8’s Tom C, Alfie R and Matthew getting on the scoresheet.
The Junior 4s had another successful afternoon of hockey with a comfortable win. The team started off slowly, however soon managed to score two goals in quick succession. After some good defensive work from OBH they made a quick break and managed to pull back a goal. Woodbridge turned up the pace and managed to get two more before half time. The second half was dominated by Woodbridge. Moving the ball quickly and accurately the J4’s created more chances and capitalised on four more occasions. Congratulations to Year 8’s Alex W for yet another haul by a Woodbridge player, and other goal scorers, Year 8’s Oliver C and George T, and Year 7’s Jesse and James E.
Junior 5 and 6 Teams
The Junior 5 and 6 teams didn’t get to play last week, due to OBH unable to field as many teams. However, both had very positive matches against Greshams the week before. The Junior 5s, filled with Year 8 players, entertained everyone watching in a match featuring seven goals, but a narrow loss. Our three goals were scored by George B and Thomas R (2) while Player of Match was awarded to Charlie W, for his performance in defence, in his first match for Woodbridge School.
The Junior 6’s, filled with Year 7 players, was our other victorious team against Greshams. All players made their hockey debut for School. William was a constant threat with some powerful shooting, and a good goal, and both Stefan and Luke worked tirelessly for the team. Miles and James E brought a touch of quality to the game, as well as a goal each, but it was Arthur in goal who was awarded Player of the Match for his clean sheet and other heroics.
Woodbridge U14 – County Cup
Last Thursday we hosted RHS and Culford for the England Hockey U14 Tier 2 County Cup, with Year 9 players in full force. Our team was definitely the underdogs but played like champions and competed with all they had. Having worked on slick passing leading up to the day, the team didn’t disappoint. The ball was moved around the back with growing confidence, players trusted each other in midfield and forward play got better and better, especially from William S. Anthony and Harry made a number of very promising and threatening carries. George and Pranav were again influential in midfield, while Alex was hard to stop once he found his full flow at right midfield. Barnaby was a hero more than once at center back, with telling tackles, interceptions and confident passing. The same is true for our two top goalkeepers, Arthur and Seth. Year 8 players, playing up a year, each made an impact too – well done to Griff, Otto H, Joseph and Otto P-S. Our team didn’t progress to the regional round, but proved we are developing and improving in the correct way and will be able to compete with everyone we face this year. Our Player of the Day was a close affair contested between Alex and Arthur, with Alex taking the honors. A big thank you to each of the players who have been a real pleasure to coach so far this term!
Woodbridge U15A vs Fram Senior XI
Our U15A Team of Year 10 players, took to the pitch for the first time this term, after a number of cancellations delayed the start of their season, against a senior team from Fram College. The opposition featured fit and fast Year 11s who came to test and challenge our team. The first half was somewhat erratic and inconsistent for both teams, but as the second half started, it was all action. Early on in the half, Oliver R put Woodbridge ahead. Woodbridge got better and better at moving the ball around and using the right side of the pitch for attacks. Rory was influential on and off the ball, in his debut hockey game for School, while Jago also shone in midfield, regularly breaking the line and advancing attacks. A great bit of build-up play up the right, and two-touch passing from Rory, Ambrose and Liam, fed the perfect ball into the D, which Elijah duly put away for our second goal. It looked like Woodbridge had done enough for the win, but the dreaded ‘2-0 curse’ struck again. Fram College came back in the last seven minutes to get two goals of their own and draw the game. A draw that feels a bit like a win, for the positive play and learning our boys delivered. The group did a lot of hard work before the game, working on their tactics and goals, and implemented it well. Injured captain, Oliver Y, must be commended for his work, coaching and encouragement on the sideline. Our Player of the Match went to captain on the day, and super center back, Seb.
Girls U13 Hockey Highlight
Last week ended with another hockey highlight and positive experience for our students – this time the girls taking the limelight. Two U13 teams, filled with players who represented our Junior 1s and Junior 2s last term, played against the touring teams from Boundary Oak during their games lessons on Friday afternoon. Both teams played ever so well, on a very cold afternoon. It was a delight to see everything remembered from last term, individual feedback put into action, and players still sharp with their skills and executing tactics well. Both teams came away with hard fought wins, scoring nice team goals, but also exhibiting positive sportsmanship, team cohesion and leadership on the pitch.
