Hockey Highlights – 7 March 2025
New experiences and continued progress have been the theme of this week’s Hockey for our U12, Senior 1st and 2nd teams, which you can read more about below.
New U12 Team Perform Well at U12 County Event
Woodbridge School took part in the U12 County Cup for the first time last week. Our Junior teams usually play as mixed Year 7 and Year 8 teams in their Wednesday fixtures, but this event brought together Year 7 boys from five different teams. Quite an exciting yet challenging prospect, with players working together for the first time and needing to learn fast to make connections.
The first match against Culford was the steep learning curve in which the boys adjusted to their attacking and defending structure, getting to know how different players play in different positions. Despite losing this opener, Woodbridge already impressed, with the Culford coaches showing appreciation for the individual talent and team play from our boys.
In the next three games, on the trot, our team was in full flow. Wonderful passing, carrying into space, elimination and decision-making saw Woodbridge play creative hockey and making many chances. Somehow the goalkeepers of Ipswich School and RHS just seemed to stop everything though! As a team our boys could only respect these performances which denied them the wins they deserved.
In the last match of the day more goals went in. Congratulations to James E who was our top goal scorer on the day, including a marvellous deflection into the top corner against RHS. We were also very proud of the slick penalty corner goal with Barney, Max and Oliver combining to score their ‘triangle’ move!
Well done to every member of the team who worked so hard, with body, heart and mind, and got so many compliments for their play. The future is bright!
Senior 1st Team Builds Momentum
Our First XI is building nice momentum, winning their last three matches.
Last week the team beat Ipswich High School convincingly, spreading the goals around. Year 13’s Luca scored twice while Year 13’s Alfie, Year 12’s Lucas and Year 11’s Tom also scored. This was another game which saw Year 11 players gain experience at top school level, which bodes well for future season.
This week the 1st team turned their fortunes around against Greshams. Scoring three goals in the first half took the game away from the opposition, leaving our players to consolidate and manage things in the second half. Year 13’s Alfie was clinical from short corners, scoring two drag flicks. Captain, Year 12’s Luca, scored our third, taking him to the top of the goal scorers list for the team.
2nd Team Progress
Our 2nd XI is getting stronger and improving their results with every game.
Last week they were very disappointed to lose a two-goal lead in an agonising defeat in the closing minutes to a strong Langley 1st team. This week they went one better, with an enthralling goalless draw against Greshams. The finishing touches eluded the players on the day, but promising build up play hopefully sets them up nicely for the last matches of the season.
Well done and thanks to each of our players and staff for their commitment. Looking ahead, we’re looking forward to everyone putting in the last push at practices and matches as the days get longer and the sun gets warmer.
