Hockey Performances and Progress to be Proud of!
Last week was a Hockey week to be proud of! From outstanding team and individual performances, to great progress made in all matches – whether a win, draw or loss was the outcome.
Woodbridge Senior 1st XI vs New Hall 1st XI
The senior 1st XI got the week off to a good start with an entertaining and structured performance against a skillful and well drilled New Hall 1st XI. Woodbridge had a number of early chances but could not convert. Woodbridge ultimately scored the first goal of the match but New Hall came back strong with two quality team goals and individual finishes!
The second half continued in an intense fashion with players trying to get the upper hand on each other and manipulate things in their favour. Woodbridge scored to bring the scores level and Year 13’s Bash in goal had to be on top form in the closing stages to keep it so, including a diving save to his right, and see the match out for a classic draw.
The Woodbridge team may feel they missed an opportunity against this top opponent, but this was a great result, turning around a much more one side affair from last season, showing the progress our group of senior players have made. A great season to date with five wins, one draw and one loss.
The last match of the season is another showdown against RHS. More about this in next week’s report.
Our Junior Teams Had a Glorious Afternoon of Goals against RHS!
The Junior 1st team, made up of Year 8 players, was on cloud nine following the opening match of Wednesday afternoon. Things just fell into place as they prepared for the East Regional Finals.
The first half saw Woodbridge dominate but continue the trend of the season; making lots of chances but being denied by great goalkeeping. Josh opened the scoring half-way through the half, before Dex made it two just before the half time whistle. Not many things to talk about at half time, except “let’s use our chances”- and then goals followed almost every second minute.
Griff racked up a hattrick, Dex completed his hattrick, Josh got another and co-captain Otto got a brace, including a split grip volley goal he has been working on all season! Even though it was goals galore on the day, our defending trio of Joseph, Dylan and goalkeeper, Max, did their job outstandingly! Tackles, intercepts and saves made sure that the opposition didn’t get a sniff, the clean sheet making it seem more one sided than it was.
Well done to each of these players on all they have put in so far, mentally and physically, into their hockey season.
The Junior 2s would not be outdone, going one better in the goals count. The race for top scorer in the team is well and truly on, as the team continues to play entertaining Hockey, using speed and creative skills well. Some nice eliminations, passing and decision making meant RHS could not keep Woodbridge at bay. Year 7’s Jack opened the scoring and there was no looking back. Year 7’s Ollie and Max both got a hattrick of goals while Year 8’s Arthur scored a brace and Year 8’s Michael added to his growing tally of goals. Year 7’s Archie finished off a magical game and win for the team.
The Junior 3s followed a similar trend where almost every touch in the D turned to gold. Indeed an unprecedented afternoon of Hockey!
Brothers, Year 8’s Alfie (3) and Otis (2) got the bulk of the goals between them, with Year 8’s Tom and Giles scoring two and one respectively.
The Junior 4s completed the home matches against Royal Hospital School with another good victory. Woodbridge started off slowly but built into the game stringing together a series of attacks to only be denied by a good RHS defence. The first goal came from some excellent play down the right with Year 8’s Thomas slapping to take a deflection off an RHS stick into the net. RHS put together some good attacks of their own only to be turned away by some great shot stopping by Year 7 goalkeeper Harry.
After half time Woodbridge started to play more freely, moving the ball quickly proving difficult to defend against. Year 8’s Alex and Oliver both managed to get their names on the scoresheet before the final whistle.
A great win! Well done!
The Junior 5s played away, with RHS using their home advantage well. It was a slightly lackluster performance from our team, which Mr Davis will use as motivation to get the team to fire on all cylinders in their last match against Ipswich School. Year 7’s Miles put in his usual energetic play and scored yet another goal. Despite a goal and a player-of-the-match performance from Year 8’s George B, the win was not to be this time. All to play for in the last match of the season.
The mighty Junior 6s, under the excellent guidance of Mrs Winchester, continued their unbeaten run! Hard work, positivity and a desire to compete lies at the heart of their success and this match had it all. It was clear that one team wanted this more than the other and ultimately led to a victorious outcome with three-goals each for Year 7’s William and Luke, and one for Year 8’s Rufus. This is looking like ‘team-of-the-year’ stuff! Just one game to go against our nearest rivals…
U15A Display Sublime Skill Despite Narrow Defeat to Norwich
The U15A team delivered a performance of exceptional quality against Norwich School, despite a defeat. In what was undoubtedly their best display of the term, the team showcased remarkable skill and determination, leaving coaches and spectators alike impressed.
The match began with both sides displaying evenly matched play. Woodbridge’s defence worked tirelessly, consistently thwarting Norwich’s attacks and initiating swift counter-attacks. However, the elusive clinical finish proved to be the difference, and Norwich managed to secure a first-half goal.
A focused half-time team talk revitalised the Woodbridge side, who emerged with renewed vigour. The first 20 minutes of the second half saw Woodbridge dominate play, culminating in a well-deserved equaliser. Unfortunately, a deflected shot and a momentary lapse in communication as Woodbridge chased the winning goal, allowed Norwich to score two quick goals, deciding the match in their favour.
Despite the setback, Woodbridge continued to press, earning an impressive 12 short corners in the match, including one on the final whistle. After a flurry of attempts at goal Norwich managed to clear the threat and in so doing, end the match. Only converting one of our corners highlights a good area to focus on.
The team’s overall attitude and sportsmanship were exemplary, earning praise from the board umpire for their behaviour and intensity. The Player of the Match award went to Year 10 captain, Oliver Y, whose outstanding work rate and captaincy were instrumental to the team’s performance.
While the result was disappointing, the team should be immensely proud of their performance. This match demonstrated the high level of skill and commitment within the U15A squad, and they can look forward to building on this foundation in their last fixture of the season. Well played, team!
The U15B team showed great progress in their match against Norwich School. Norwich dominated the first half, peppering our defense and goal. Year 9’s Barnaby made tackle after tackle, often having multiple Norwich defenders to take care of. Year 10 goalkeeper, Frank, stood strong and made a number of great saves to keep Woodbridge within touching distance at half time, knowing if they made better choices and execute their passes better, they can get the two goals back.
The tides did indeed turn somewhat in the second half, with Woodbridge spending much more time in the opposition half and feeding their forwards much better. Year 10’s James B moving to right back brought nice urgency as well as Year 10’s Toby trying to lift the pace of our attacks. Nice rotations and leading from Year 9’s William and George led to exciting attacks and now it was the Norwich GK who had to be alert. A cracking strike on the bounce from Year 10’s James S was well saved.
A second half which I hope fills the group with confidence going into their last match. Good observations and learning from the team to make their own changes and corrections at half time, which led to a much improved overall performance, is a real positive to take away from this game.
