Hockey Match Reports – February 2024
Since our last report the Hockey has continued, and below you can see reports from matches for our Junior, U14, U15 and 1st XI teams.
Junior Action
Following the excitement of a clean sweep in the first block fixture, seven teams, featuring all 66 Junior hockey players set off for Harleston Magpies to take on the strong teams from Greshams. The Junior 4s and Junior 5s achieved superb wins! The Junior 4 team’s goalkeeper, Year 8’s Seth, kept a clean sheet with impressive saves throughout the game, and especially stopping a series of low and high attempts at his goal right before the final whistle. At the other end his team scored at regular intervals to make it seem like a comfortable victory.
Mr Davis reports from the Junior 5’s game:
A very slight squad reshuffle meant that this was, on paper, a strong Junior 5 team, who were still buoyed by their victory from the previous week. And, indeed, they started the match the sharper of the two teams. Year 8’s Jacob and Year 7’s Lewis were incredibly industrious throughout the match and took us to a three-goal lead at half-time. Year 7’s Thomas added another in the second half before we conceded a scrappy goal towards the end. After a long and winding journey and playing in a chilling wind all the boys did exceptionally well to keep their winning record.
The Junior 2 and Junior 3 teams were frustrated with two close losses, by a one goal margin, after playing some pretty impressive hockey and competing very well. The Junior 6 and 7s must be commended for their first matches, also losing by two and one goal respectively but being set up nicely to excel from in the games to come. The Junior 1st team had an afternoon best to forget but lots to learn from and very determined to put this into action. Well done to Year 7’s Otto on his pretty good goal on the day.
Woodbridge Junior 4 – 7 Teams vs New Hall
The next week saw the Junior 4 to 7 teams take on the long journey to New Hall to play two matches each; a very exciting afternoon.
Mr Gage reports from the Junior 4 matches:
The Junior 4’s went to New Hall looking to replicate their performance against Greshams from the week before, with the focus being on moving the ball wide quickly with speed. Woodbridge opened the scoring early on with Year 8’s Tahir after some very good build-up play. Woodbridge continued to apply pressure on New Hall but a good stint of goalkeeping kept us from scoring again. It was one goal apiece in the second half (Year 7’s Tom C scoring for us) but Woodbridge had done enough to take the win in their opening game.
The second match saw the home side the more dominant of the two. Putting together a series of strong attacks saw New Hall take the lead early on. Woodbridge didn’t take long to level the scores through Year 8’s Tahir again, however after a great save from Year 8’s Seth the ball found its way into the net from a rebound. A great afternoon of hockey for all involved.
The Junior 5s kept their unbeaten record going with a win and a draw against U13 teams from New Hall, meaning surely Mr Davis will be getting the donuts delivery in soon!
Miss Hinton reports from the Junior 6 matches:
The Junior 6 boys enjoyed a fruitful afternoon at New Hall, playing against two teams and winning in both! After a good warm up, the boys started strongly, attacking the New Hall goal, hardly leaving them time to breathe. Our first goal was a fantastic team goal with a perfectly weighted ball into space on the right from Year 7’s Giles, and George B running onto it and crossing it across the face of goal for Year 8’s Henri to be at the back post and tap it in, poetry in motion! An end-to-end match for the rest of the time saw us defend our lead and look forward to taking on their second team.
They then took on the second group from New Hall for a second match, and had got into their stride completely, running tirelessly and slipping the ball forward to seasoned finisher, year 8’s James for two identical goals slotting the ball confidently past the keeper. Our final goal came courtesy of another team passing phase and Year 7’s George B getting his first hockey goal for Woodbridge and the delighted grin summed up a wonderful afternoon of hockey for our boys. Well played, team!
The Junior 7s joined in the celebrations with a win in their first game, Year 7’s Thomas R being the goal scorer. Having to go straight into a second game after the high of the win, proved a bit too much for emotions and legs and the boys had to let New Hall enjoy their win in that one.
Well done to each of these boys who represented the school so well and thanks to staff for managing a really busy afternoon.
U14 and U15 Teams
The U14 and U15 teams have enjoyed some great success recently. The U14B team played their first match of the term, also seeing some debutants. Ipswich High School hosted our team. Mr Pineo was very impressed by his team in their attitude and desire to learn in a convincing win.
Some words from the U14B game:
A fun afternoon for all! Ipswich High started very well and scored a well worked goal. This kick-started the Woodbridge boys into action! Going into the second half with a two goal lead gave Woodbridge some freedom in their play; many chances were made and everyone playing lots of new positions. Year 9’s Toby and Zach were excellent throughout. Well done boys.
On the same day the U14A team faced Royal Hospital School, a second meeting within two weeks and this time an important cup fixture, to determine the County champion. Woodbridge started brightly and were dominant in the midfield and camped out in the RHS half. Unfortunately, Woodbridge could not get their shots away and didn’t trouble the keeper. With the mounting pressure getting too much for the RHS defence, some fantastic disciplined pressing lead to an interception and shot away into the corner by year 9’s Toby. The second half was a closer affair but with Woodbridge having the upper hand. Year 9’s Charlie managed to put away a quick chance from a rebound to double the lead. The game ended 2-0 to Woodbridge and some mentionable performances from Jago up front, Oliver M in defence and Oliver Y in midfield. Jago winning the players’ Player of the Match and Oliver Y winning the coaches’ Player of the Match for his great distribution and breaking up the RHS counter attacks. This win means the U14s will represent Suffolk at the regional event in March.
Following on from this the U14A team took on Ipswich School U14B a week later, Mr Walsh reports:
Woodbridge exploded out of the blocks and dominated the first half with some quick direct play. At half time Woodbridge had a handsome lead with goals from Jago, Ambrose, Oliver R and Charlie. The second half was a tighter affair but Woodbridge managed to get back to playing some great hockey and moving the ball quickly and changing the channel to then attack up the pitch. Charlie got his second of the game while Arthur kept a clean sheet at the other end. Well done to Oliver R for being voted players’ Player of the Match.
Woodbridge U15A vs Greshams in the Independent Schools Cup
While the U14A team was tasting success at Rushmere, the U15A team produced a performance for the history books. Taking on Greshams in the Independent Schools Cup, it was going to be a cracker.
The group of players showed skill, knowledge, determination, endless effort and big hearts. Every plan was executed with a structured, disciplined, united and hard-working defence, and slick passing patterns in attack to move the ball through midfield and feed the forwards. Not for one moment did a single player get out of shape and allow Greshams to dominate the way they like to. In fact, it was Woodbridge who dominated the opening ten minutes but could not capitalise. Greshams started to find their stride and the game went end to end.
When Greshams did manage to find the smallest gap through the defences year 10’s Edward was on hand to make the required saves in goal. With all level at 0-0 at half time, Woodbridge knew there was a huge opportunity up for grabs.
Starting the second half sharply, Sam L (Y10) thought he had put Woodbridge ahead with a brilliant strike into the top left corner. As celebrations were about to take over the realisation dawned that the whistle had gone a second before. It was not to be. Next it was Year 9’s Elijah and Harry who combined with a great 2v1 to have only the goalie left to beat. As Harry was about to unleash a last-ditch jab took the ball away from him, and with it the scoring chance.
Woodbridge kept probing and once again the ball found itself in the 9-yard area, but this time Year 10’s Rowan got to it first and tapped it through the goalkeeper’s legs to give Woodbridge the lead. Greshams did not take likely to this and pushed hard to get the equaliser. Multiple short corners followed, but Woodbridge defended! Even the corners from the wrong side could not outwit the team, who learned fast in these moments. A five-man Woodbridge defence up against ten players to defend yet another corner with time up… the ball was cleared and celebrations commenced, closely followed by handshakes and credit to both teams for a great game.
Every player delivered a personal best performance and worthy of Player of the Match. Year 10’s Alex H, Year 9’s Oliver M and Year 10’s Theo as a defensive trio played with maturity, composure and dominance in defence and outlet which allowed Woodbridge to have lots of possession. This possession was used well, moving the ball across and along the pitch with efficiency, covering every part of the astro with square and through passes.
Co-captains Year 10’s Jasper and Tom were creative and consistent in midfield, while doing the simple and unexpected things well. Year 9’s Seb never faltered at left mid. Year 10’s Oscar P gave the game a new spark at the start of the second half, powering up the right flank. On reflection Player of the Match is awarded to year 9’s Oliver Y for being outstanding in very position, also when filling in at right back, like he has played there for years. The team eagerly wait to hear who they will face next.
Woodbridge 1st XI vs Fram 2nd XI
After a challenging start to the season, the first team had all to play for when they hosted Fram College 2nd team. A small squad also welcomed Year 9’s Oliver Y to make his first team debut as well as Year 10 duo Jasper and Tom. All three ‘fresh’ from their battle against Greshams.
The game started very brightly as Woodbridge took a two goal lead courtesy of Year 12’s Luca and Year 13’s James. At the other end Year 12’s Bash was making sharp saves, starting the game in good form.
Fram was not going to stand for being outplayed and came back strong to draw things level, only to have Woodbridge go ahead, through a fantastic two touch goal shot on the bounce from captain Year 13’s Edward. Five goals scored in 30 minutes!
The second half saw Woodbridge continue to work super hard and manage the game. Continuous encouragement from Edward kept the team moving, and pushing for more. But the scoreboard remained unchanged, much to Woodbridge’s delight.
What a fantastic match with two attacking teams, fast moving ball and lots of skilful running! A well-deserved win to the team who have battled hard so far this term.
