Hockey Report – October 2023
Another busy week of hockey last week, with matches for our 1st, U15A, U15B, and Junior 1, 2, 3 and 4 teams. Our match reports hold details of fixtures, including the County Cup, teams and players.
Woodbridge 1st team vs Wymondham
Match report by team coach, Mrs Rix
The 1st team started their open season against Wymondham College. Still missing our captain, Chloe, the team was led by Year 13’s Steph and Year 12’s Millie. Woodbridge started the stronger team, stringing passes together and getting into good attacking areas. Unfortunately, this good possession and confidence could not be converted into clear chances. Wymondham got into the game and things went end to end. Year 12’s Freya in goal made a few good saves in the nine-yard area but Wymondham finally got one in from close range. In the second half we played better and with more confidence, with some good transfer play in the midfield and year 11’s Lara making threatening runs through the middle. However, our final pass just lacked the accuracy required or we forced passes down a channel too much meant we could not build enough real pressure to convert into goals. Wymondham managed to score another field goal which spurred Woodbridge on to be more attacking; a few chances were created with Year 11’s Lara, Year 12’s Georgie getting shots off and Year 12’s Millie and Sophia combining well up the right hand side. Year 12’s Charlotte at central defence had another good game, stepping up well and Year 12’s Rose and Year 13’s Ada were assertive at outside defence. A frustrating third goal was conceded at a penalty corner close to the end of the game. Some training ground time will put this right for next time. Well done to each player who represented the team and worked very hard.
Woodbridge U15A vs Fram U15 Development team
Match report by team coach, Mrs Johnson
On an unseasonably warm Tuesday evening our U15A team took on an U15 development team from Fram college. Both teams featured Year 10 and year 9 students. The crowd support on the side of the pitch was great and the match didn’t disappoint. A great display of teamwork with the girls playing out of positions at times, led to a sound victory. Year 10’s Freya kept goal brilliantly, clearing to the sides and making sure nothing went past her (even though the ball hit the post at one point in a goal mouth scuffle!) Great goals by year 10’s Lily (a rebound from a PC), two for Year 10’s Charlie, and one for Year 10’s Bea sealed the victory! Well done and thanks to all the support from the sidelines and Mr Brous for umpiring!
Woodbridge U15A matches vs Norwich High School for Girls
Match report by team coach, Mrs Johnson
During games lessons later in the week the team played against Norwich High School at Magpies. After a bit of a journey we woke up during our warm-up and hit the ground running. With the majority of the possession we played with determination and drive and scored our first goal within the first seven minutes from Bea; Aurelia put away an excellent deflection from a penalty corner and we went into half time 2-0 up. A change of ends brought their goalie alive and if it wasn’t for her we would have scored many more goals but were thankfully gave ourselves more of a cushion with a penalty corner finish from Charlie. Norwich scored close to the end of the game we managed to defend a number of penalty corners well to keep the lead intact. Highlights from the game were our play up the right of the pitch and better communication amongst our team. Well done!! Freya’s save with her glove was the save of the afternoon!
Woodbridge U15B hockey
Match report by Team coach Mrs Pilkington
The U15B team had a very exciting encounter against Norwich High School for Girls. The fixture was split in to four quarters with rolling subs. The Woodbridge girls were enthusiastic from the start testing the Norwich HS defence straight away. The play was very even; Woodbridge scored first with a clean strike from Ellie, with Norwich HS coming straight back with a goal of their own. Margot scored a second at the end of the first quarter. Going into the second quarter Norwich HS equalized again but Ellie struck home once more to take the lead, one which was maintained for the rest of the match. In the third quarter Evie battled her way into the circle and converted an excellent shot at goal. Finally, a fifth goal was scored thanks to fresh legs and the determination of Issy. A well-deserved result from a very enthusiastic team!
Woodbridge Junior 1 vs Fram
Match report by Team coach Mrs Rix
Wednesday saw us being treated to some fantastic away matches against Fram College, beginning with the Junior 1 team who played a remarkable match against a very strong Fram team. The players quickly adjusted to a somewhat different press to try nullify Fram’s ‘three at the back’. The team worked endlessly to keep the opposition at bay, and indeed Year 8’s Bay in goal was a super star. Say no more! Simply outstanding. Play was intense and each player had to be at their best to control the ball, play it up the pitch and create several chances of our own. The Fram GK made some important saves as the last ten minutes approach, all still square. With seven minutes to go, one third phase play snuck through the defences. Woodbridge gave it their all, even playing with seven outfield players but Fram held firm for the narrowest of wins. Bay was our undisputed player of the match! Thanks to all who supported the game, it was truly one for the memory banks!
Woodbridge Junior 2 vs Fram
The Junior 2s were disappointed with a frustrating defeat, despite being the better team. Woodbridge started brightly scoring early, but Fram came straight back against the run of play. Woodbridge went ahead again and kept their lead into half time. Three goals in quick succession early in the second half knocked the wind out of the Woodbridge sails. Woodbridge kept fighting and managed to regain momentum, being frustrated but good saves to deny them more goals. Woodbridge did ultimately have the last say to score a bit of a consolation goal to bring the scores close together. Well done to all who played their part in an end-to-end, high-scoring and exciting game. Well done to goal scorer and player of the match, Year 8’s Lottie and Charlie on scoring a brace.
Woodbridge Junior 3 vs Fram
Match report by Team coach Miss Hinton
Another excellent display from a strong and confident Junior 3 team. A brilliant team effort that started with great clearances from keeper Year 7’s Clem, defenders keeping the ball out of the middle of the pitch and using the width to play around the opposition, well marshalled by Year 8’s Abigail C and fellow Year 8’s Abigail N. The solid defence allowed the midfield to play with more freedom and wide midfielders Year 7’s Evie, Rebecca and Kirsty worked tirelessly to support the forwards and set up a number of goals, two for Year 8’s Grace and one for Year 7’s Imogen . The driving force and opposition’s player of the match, Year 8’s Eirann kept bulldozing her way through the centre and was rewarded time and again with a handful (literally five!) goals herself. Unbeaten so far, a wonderful follow up match!
Woodbridge Junior 4 vs Fram
Match report by Team coach Miss Sanders
The Junior 4s played another strong and successful game last week. Passing the ball effectively and defending nearly every ball with super tackles, they dominated their opposition from start to finish. Our forwards fought hard in our attacking D and had numerous shots on goal, including deflections, and our midfielders and defence, including our two goal keepers, Year 8’s Freya and Year 7’s Bea kept a clean sheet. Great teamwork by all – well done! Well done to Year 8’s Alice on a Player of the match performance and two goals, and fellow goal scorers, Year 8’s Marina and Year 7’s Sienna.
Woodbridge Junior 1s at the County Cup Friday 6 October
Match report by Mrs Rix
A busy hockey week was ended by yet another cup event; this time the England Hockey U13 Suffolk Cup. Woodbridge played five pool games; in one of the highest quality county cups in many years. All matches were closely contested and there was no runaway best team all day. Woodbridge started well against Old Buckenham Hall, and did everything right but score. Year 8’s Bay was again on top form, making two telling saves – one stick saves – likely the save of the day. A draw was a solid start.
Next was a defeat against Fram but not a match we were targeting. Perhaps the match against Barnardiston saw Woodbridge rue previously missed opportunities and they just could not quite get going… another draw. Starting to fire properly again against Ipswich High school, Woodbridge went ahead and looked confident to see the match out. However, a fantastic bit of play up the right and a fantastic deflection in front of goal saw the High School draw level. So frustrating but a goal worthy of getting a point out of the match.
Playing for pride and still focussing on getting better all the time, Woodbridge had nothing to lose against Culford. We dominated and got the win we deserved all day. Three draws, one loss and one win from five matches saw us finish 3rd in the pool of six. Not too shabby but this team is hungry for more and I am sure there is much for to come from a very talented bunch over the next half a decade.
Thanks to all the parents who supported us so well. Well done to Year 8’s Annabelle and Amelie for superb leadership during the day. Congrats to Year 7’s Jasmine making her Junior 1 debut, and thanks very much to Mr Pineo for umpiring all morning.
