Hockey Season Round Up 2023
With a number of matches bringing us to the end of the Hockey season, our match reports below hold details of players, performances and outcomes.
The hockey season has come to a very speedy end. We were frustrated by an unprecedented number of cancellations by opposition teams this half term but our players remained motivated, working hard towards each match opportunity.
Senior Hockey
Highlights from the last few weeks include the Senior Girls first team, stringing a series of good performances together; they kept building with a number of players making their first team debut and players gaining in experience, knowledge and skills. A draw and a win against Langley and Greshams 2s set the group up nicely to finish strong against New Hall and RHS. Promising performances in these last two matches didn’t result in the outcomes we hoped for but did leave each player proud and satisfied with their play and overall team performances.
The 2nd and 3rd team also finished strong against RHS. Mr Pineo reports from the 2nd team match.
In their final game of the 2023 season, the girls played their best hockey. The attacks were down the right and several transfers were made too. Unfortunately, the final pass often went array which meant they couldn’t quite make the inroads they should have. RHS were more determined in the tackle and came into the game more and more. Despite the excellent hockey we played, RHS dominated due the extra power and their direct approach. Year 11’s Jasmine made some good saves and both year 12’s Vio and Year 11’s Lily made some excellent tackles. The second half was a similar story, though we made many more connecting passes in the final third of the pitch resulting in some shots and short corners. Well done girls and hard luck on the result.
The spirit and team unity of the senior teams must be commended and they have been a pleasure to work with. Our thanks to students who regularly attended practices and made it lots of fun.
Thank you to our Year 13 players
Special mention to our Year 13 students who have played their last School matches: Chloe, Steph, Esme, Ada, Kitt, Kitty, Polina and Kira, you will be missed next season. Thanks for the positive influence you have always been.
Well done to our Year 9 and 10 players
The Year 9 and 10s excelled this season, both U15A and U15B and U14A and U14B winning the bulk of their matches. In their last two matches of the season the U15As hosted Ipswich School B and Langley, playing with dominance and flare, with the 12 goals scored spread around the team.
U15B also played Langley in their last match, this one ending in a draw but producing end to end hockey none the less. Great work during the season, two wins, two draws and one loss.
U14A played their last match against Ipswich High School, a real goal fest bringing out the best in both teams. Woodbridge took the honours to end the season on a high. 21 goals scored by this team during the season.
U14B finished their season with a bang and a completely dominate performance against Langley on a very cold afternoon at Magpies. Congratulations to this group of players who end the season unbeaten, winning all their games. 19 goals scored, and only two conceded.
Junior teams’ report
The Junior teams also joined in the celebrations, with all six teams ending in good spirits. The Junior 5 and Junior 6 teams travelled to Fram College to play against Fram and OBH 3rds and 4ths in a triangular. Our teams came away with a draw and narrow one goal loss in each tournament – pretty impressive against strong teams. At home the Junior 1 to 4 teams hosted RHS. This is the return fixture from earlier in the season so lots to play for.
The Junior 1st team saved their best for last, displaying everything they have learned this season. Flowing passing hockey and structured, disciplined defence alongside some incredible individual talent saw them win the match by one goal, with Year 8’s Bay again keeping a clean sheet and year 7’s India J scoring her seventh goal of the season. Player of the match was captain, Year 8’s Annabelle, for another stellar performance. Lots of smiles at the end after a very promising season and some excellent hockey played.
The Junior 2s kept their five-match unbeaten streak going with a very entertaining 3-3 draw! Big shout-out to Year 8’s Eirann for scoring a hattrick.
The Junior 3 team had a superb season, winning their sixth match of the term. Mrs Hinton reported on the match.
It was a brilliant final match of the season with a fantastic culmination of the hard work put in by all since September. The team played as a unit, putting together passes and looking for their team mates to attack cohesively and defend like a block. The girls carried the ball with confidence, called for the ball when they were free and peppered the RHS goalie who was their player of the match for her incredible saves keeping the score respectable. Goal scorers were spread around the team and it was one happy coach giving the team talk at the end. Well done this season, and especially to goal scorers: Year 7’s Imogen and Grace (2), Year 8’s Abigail N (2), and Year 8’s Alice.
The Junior 4 team rounded off a near perfect day for the Woodbridge teams with a well fought for and deserved win. Goals were scored by Year 8’s Imogen S, Year 7’s Issy, Year 7’s Imogen G and Evie. Captain, Isabel from Year 8, lead from the front again on and off the pitch, earning her the player of the match.
Well done to each and every player who represented the School this term, who worked hard at practices and lessons and most importantly, who loved it! We are very proud of each of our teams and the progress made as groups and individual players. Special mention to those playing hockey for the first time this season, welcome to the hockey family. We are looking forward to next season already.
