Senior Hockey Match Reports – January 2023
Last weekend saw the traditional block fixtures against Royal Hospital School kick-starting the boys hockey season. Delivering some solid team performances, the matches offered lots of learning opportunities and gave the teams lots to look forward to the rest of the term. The support from family and friends on the side lines was also fantastic and really spurred our teams on!
Woodbridge 1st team vs RHS
This was a very exciting, high paced and end to end home match to start the season with too many highlights and good performances to single out. In perfect conditions on a Saturday afternoon, with great support on the side lines, the team delivered a performance which will hopefully fill them with confidence for the rest of the term. It took consistent hard work, skill, team play, good decision making as well as precision to make the result happen and never letting the their guard down or taking the foot off the gas.
RHS scored first deep into the first half with a field goal when they were outrun on the left flank, and the overload was too big to recover from. Woodbridge answered in the perfect way, when Year 11’s Alfie scored from a broken-down penalty corner seconds before the half time whistle. The score was doubled early in the second half when Year 12’s Edward scored from a PC (penalty corner) rebound, just reward for an outstanding personal performance. Five minutes later RHS benefitted when a speculative high reverse hit into the D ricocheted off the post and landed perfectly to be put into the goal, much to Woodbridge’s frustration. Yet another five minutes later team captain, Year 13’s Henry cleverly flicked the ball over the desperate keeper, following up well after the initial shot was saved.
Both teams had chances in the remainder of the match but defences stood strong. Well done to the team and every player on this fantastic first performance. Player of the match was Henry, leading from the front.
Credit to all the players who made their first team debut, but looked like seasoned pros: year 12’s Theo and Zaid, year 11’s Luca, Oscar, Bash and Joe, and special mention to Year 9 debutants Tom, Jasper and Alex H.
Woodbridge 2nd team vs RHS
This was a proverbial ‘match of two halves’ which saw RHS dominate the first half and Woodbridge the next. Being the first game of the season, it took a while for the boys to find their feet and gel. Unfortunately, in this time RHS scored a well worked goal. In the second half, Woodbridge dominated possession and had the better of the chances but RHS scored two break away goals, despite the best efforts of Year 11’s Oscar in goal. Well done to Year 10 boys who played up and did a great job.
Woodbridge U15A vs RHS
The U15s seem to follow the trend of the 2nd team. Taking time to get into things after their first fixture of the season had to be postponed due to frosty pitches. RHS dominated the first 20 minutes and Woodbridge the next 30. Woodbridge conceded two goals before they started to gel and string passes together and play with more confidence. It was not possible to overcome the goal deficit but much experience gained and learning setting the team up nicely for the next matches.
Woodbridge U15B vs RHS
Playing the last home match late in the afternoon and under the lights, the U15B team definitely did not disappoint with their spirited performance. The game was evenly poised throughout the opening stages with chances at both ends. Year 10’s Ethan made a couple of excellent saves and telling clearances to keep the scores level at half time. Ten minutes into the second half, the U15s broke the deadlock through a deft finish by Year 10’s Henry following a short corner. The boys defended resolutely to close out an excellent win. A great start to the season! Well done to Ethan for an excellent performance in goal.
Woodbridge U14A vs RHS
This was an equally fought contest between two strong teams. The first half saw both teams having strong chances, but our defence held firm. Year 9’s Alex H took control of the back, and not much got through him and, when it did, he remained cool and calm. His interplay with the rest of the defensive team, coupled with the strong midfield play of Year 9’s Jasper and Tom, meant we owned much of the midfield. The Year 9s will look forward to being more clinical with their goal finishing when they next face RHS. This time there was nothing to separate the teams in the score line, yet a very entertaining end to end match.
It was a team performance, and each and every person listened to instruction at half time, then acted on it. We look forward to the rematch. Alex was named player of the match.
Woodbridge U14B vs RHS
As the afternoon wore on and the temperature dropped, a faithful band of parents stayed to watch their sons play a decent game at RHS. RHS had the best of the first half and they had a couple of dynamic and skillful players. Both goals came from penalty corners that were hit with enormous power and accuracy; nothing the keeper could do in either case. Woodbridge gave a much better account of themselves in the second half and profited most when using the space out wide. Woodbridge then managed a number of promising entries into the D and finally worked the RHS goalie after good build up player by player of the match Year 9’s Josh. There were no more goals in the second half to give RHS ‘bragging rights’ this time round!
