January’s Hockey Highlights 2024
Last week saw almost all our Boys’ hockey teams in action – a busy week indeed for players and staff. A massive thank you to Mrs Richardson in the sport office for all the behind the scenes work to get our fixtures played.
Woodbridge U14A vs RHS
The week started off with our U14A team (Year 9 players) hosting Royal Hospital School; a team they will meet again soon in the County Competition. Mr Walsh reports from the match:
The first game of the term, and a lot of players’ first game on a full-size pitch, meant a nervy start by Woodbridge. As the players settled into the game, Woodbridge started to string some passes together and looked threatening. RHS managed to break up play and launch some counter attacks but Woodbridge were up to the challenge and tracked back as a team to defend well, with Arthur making every save required of him. In the second half Woodbridge had more chances in front of goal but lacked the final shot to trouble the RHS goalkeeper. In the end, a well worked turnover and through ball released Eli for a free run to the goal. A perfectly timed pass completed the 2v1 against the goalkeeper, and Jago put it away at the back post, scoring the only goal of the game. Well done to joint players of the match, Oliver Y and Oliver M.
Midweek saw five of our Junior (Years 7 and 8) teams take on our neighbour and rival, Framlingham College – and what a day it was! To add to the excitement of Year 7s playing their first match for Woodbridge School, all the players and teams excelled on the pitch and there were too many magic moments to count.
Woodbridge Junior 1 vs Framlingham College
The Juniors 1 team could not have wished for a better start to the season. The boys have worked hard, mentally and physically, leading up to the first match of the season, competing hard for a place in the team. After a slightly nervous start, Woodbridge started to take control of the game, moving the ball away from and past their opposite number. Hard work, structure and discipline in attack and defence were evident and also acknowledged by the opposition. Add to this immense individual talent and attacking flare, alongside good general decision making, and Woodbridge delivered a top performance to outplay, outwit and outlast their opponents. Year 7’s opened the scoring for Woodbridge, to go into half time in the lead. With a good press to nullify Fram’s three at the back, Woodbridge won lots of ball in midfield, credit to very hard running by Joseph in the forward line. The second half saw Year 7’s Otto H score to extend the lead before Joshua scored his second close to the final whistle. At the other end of the pitch, Year 8’s Arthur was making a number of saves throughout the match to not allow Fram back into the game. They did manage to pull one goal back, but the first win of the season already belonged to Woodbridge. An excellent technical and tactical display by the team! The Player of the Match award was shared by Year 7’s Otto and Joshua.
Woodbridge Junior 2 vs Framlingham College
Our Junior players delivered an equally convincing win. Mr Walsh shared the details:
It took only 14 seconds for Woodbridge to go 1-0 up in the game, pressing hard from the Fram push back. Unfortunately I can’t comment on how the goal was scored as it was so quick I didn’t even see it as I was trying to start the timer on my watch but I have been reliably informed that Year 7s Theo got the final touch to score! A matter of minutes later Woodbridge went two up when Year 7’s Griff calmly put away his chance. The sell-out crowd were treated to a tremendous first half performance from Woodbridge scoring two more goals from Year 7’s Frank DZ and Year 8’s Frank BS. Unfortunately, Woodbridge conceded one goal but still going into the break with a comfortable lead. The second half was a tighter affair with Framlingham Prep getting more success but Year 7’s Max making some fine saves in goal. Year 8’s Frank managed to carry the ball with strength and speed to score his second of the game. Framlingham got a conciliation goal just before the end. Well done to all players involved and especially Max in goal for Player of the Match voted for by his teammates.
Woodbridge Junior 3 vs Framlingham College
A brilliant team performance to kick off the season, building relationships across the group and learning how best to score great team goals, Miss Hinton reports on the Junior 3 match:
The first half saw Woodbridge with 90% of the possession and Year 7’s Otis in a wonderful position to put away two well timed goals, moving the keeper and celebrating the excellent build-up play that preceded the thud of the backboard. The second half of the match saw Woodbridge pile on more pressure and attacking predominantly down the right-hand side; we moved the Framlingham defence, sucking them into the advancing player down the right, transferring the ball across to the left and a fantastic finish from Year 7’s Olly R over the keeper’s head put us two goals clear again, after Fram had scored a goal of their own. The next passage of play showed the team what they need to work on to find further success this season, as two quick counter-attacking goals from the opposition meant the match ended all square. At the end of the day there was a very happy coach with the team’s efforts in the first match and work to do going into the matches for the rest of a promising season.
Woodbridge Junior 4 vs Framlingham College
The Junior 4s opened their season with a good victory against Framlingham College. Mr Gage reports on the match:
Throughout the game the boys worked hard to move the ball out wide and down the wing with some excellent crosses into the D. Woodbridge scored two great team goals before Framlingham put together some great link up play to score. We managed to get one more goal before the final whistle. Special mention to Year 7’s Tom C with his Player of the Match performance.
Woodbridge Junior 5 vs Framlingham College
The Junior 5 team played the only away game of the day – and it was well worth the trip. Mr Davis reports:
The boys have all been putting a lot into their training sessions and so it was great to move on to a live performance against Fram college. Even at this level of competition the selection process can seem brutal and so the boys knew that a good performance was required to cement their place in the squad. An early goal settled the nerves and, in truth, Woodbridge were always in control, coming away with a three-goal victory. When called upon, our goalie Year 8’s Sam was in fine form and kept a well-deserved clean sheet. Year 8’s Jacob, Anthony and Milo along with Year 7’s Alex, Lewis, Thomas, Giles, George L and George T, were all on fine form in front of goal and Year 7’s Angus and George B, along with Year 8’s Henri were all steadfast in defence. Well played to all the Woodbridge boys, some of whom were representing the Senior School for the first time. A mention also goes to the debutant Fram keeper who, after a significant “wobble” in the first half, went on to show great fortitude and made many fine saves in the second half. Following on from the success the previous day, the Junior Boys were back out at practice to keep pushing for greatness.
The week’s competition was brought to a close by the Senior 1st team, stepping out for the U18 Tier 4 competition and the U15A and B teams taking on Royal Hospital School.
U18 Tier 4 Competition
Woodbridge The 1st XI grew as a squad during their event, developing their passing play and structure; pretty impressive considering the limited time together following the recent mock exams. In three short games the team and individuals improved with every match, upping their skills, decision making and match fitness. Our goal scorers were Year 12’s Luca and Year 11’s Dylan. Well done to captain, Edward, and vice-captain, Robert (both Year 13) who lead from the front, on and off the pitch. We look forward to the rest of the season to see how well this group can grow.
Woodbridge U15 Teams vs Royal Hospital School
The U15A team travelled to RHS for what proved to be yet another physical and fast game. Woodbridge dominated play, moving the ball from side to side and up the pitch. Several times our forwards and midfield players broke past the last line of defence but was denied by some inspired goalkeeping from RHS throughput the match. The number of chances created likely resulted in Woodbridge looking to be too direct in the latter part of the first half. This resulted in turnovers and an eventual goal, a little bit against the run of play in the game. After half time, Woodbridge restored their wide height in attack and more gaps opened again. More shots and more saves followed in the RHS D. Woodbridge coped well with whatever the match through at them, showing real resilience. Co-captain, Year 10’s Jasper’s inspired suggestion, saw him move from midfield to striker for the closing minutes of the match – and moments later he struck the equalising goal. More chances for Woodbridge following, but the undisputed Player of the Match, the RHS GK, denied the win. An excellent display of hockey and team work leaving the boys hungry for more. Well done to each of the 16 player squad who all impacted the game positively when on the pitch.
The U15B opened their season with a fixture against RHS and Mr Gage reports from this match:
Woodbridge were quick to get off the mark with some great play which led to an early goal by Year 10’s Tibo. Woodbridge continued to apply some pressure only to be stopped by a good RHS defence. The momentum changed and RHS put together a string of strong attacks which saw them score two goals. In the second half Woodbridge worked hard trying to move the ball, but their attacks just could not beat the final line of defence. RHS managed to score one more before to seal the win.
A great start to the year with many positives to work on and getting us into the full fixture swing.
