Senior Hockey Report – March 2024
This half term has seen our senior first team improve on every level, on and off the pitch as a team! They are barely recognisable as the same squad of players who took to the field in January – in skill, character, knowledge and team-ness. March has seen the team play regularly and gain a 50% win record, but knowing it could have been better. Convincing wins against Langley and Culford U18B boosted confidence for the physical battles against RHS and Ipswich School 2s. Even if not getting the wins they team deserved for dominating both these matches (settling for a one goal loss instead), they surely entertained those who came to support them! What a joy to watch.
Woodbridge Senior 1st vs RHS
The match against Royal Hospital School was by far and away the team’s best performance to date. They controlled the ball for the most part and gave RHS very little to attack with. The midfield quartet of year 12’s Alfie, Year 13’s Ed and Year 11’s Dylan and Sam B played brilliantly all game. The defence were resolute throughout the first half. In the second half, RHS moved the ball well and high. This presented a new problem, but the defenders worked out how to counter this, but for one mistake allowing their goal, it was a faultless display. The attacking group worked hard to keep the RHS defenders going towards their own goal and allowed so much space for the midfield to pass, run and move. Unfortunately, for all their efforts, the goal just didn’t come.
Woodbridge Senior 1st vs Culford
Against Culford the team delivered another very good performance with lots of passing and effort and settled the game with good goals in the second half. Year 12’s Luca scored two excellent goals and captain Year 13’s Ed also scored. The defenders worked well together and made some timely interceptions. The midfield showed their skills and range of passing, particularly Year 11’s Sam B who was outstanding. Year 11’s Dylan set up two of the three goals.
Woodbridge Senior 1st vs Ipswich School
The nailbiter against Ipswich School will leave Woodbridge rueing missed opportunities but another excellent performance showing how far this group has come this season. Despite the result, Woodbridge dominated for the most part. They started very brightly and looked to pass the ball with pace. This resulted in several chances, one of which fell to Year 11’s Sam B who swept it in. After this, the standard of passing dropped and allowed Ipswich back into the game. They equalised with a well worked goal after an initial good save from Year 12’s Bash. With five minutes to half-time, another excellent move between Year 12’s Luca and Year 11’s Lucas resulted in a short corner. Year 12’s Alfie scored one of the best short corner flicks the school has probably ever seen! Power, pace and precision, right into the top left corner. The crowd went wild!
In the second half, Woodbridge allowed Ipswich to attack by passing up the middle of the pitch and running with the ball too much. Their shape went too narrow so passes couldn’t be made wide. Ipswich scored two good goals, one which was a classic counter-attack with fast forwards and a well-placed finish. In the last five minutes, Woodbridge pressed and pressed but despite several good chances, could not score. Well done all players, another excellent performance for the most part.
Woodbridge Seniors vs King’s Ely
Tuesday’s last match of the senior season saw our whole group of senior players take on the senior players from King’s Ely; a good afternoon with lots of their peers supporting them to see off our leavers in their last match. Two goals on the day from Year 11’s Sam, Year 13’s Captain Ed and another magnificently placed drag flick from Year 12’s Alfie, which initially left the players and spectators in silent awe before the joint cheers. Player of the Match was Year 12’s Hugh.
Last words from a proud team coach, Mr Pineo – A fitting way to end the season with an emphatic win! Whilst the hockey was not the best played this season, it was good enough at times to gain penalty corners and fashion chances. It was an absolute delight to have all the Leavers on the pitch at the end of the game. We will be sad to see them go but they leave a strong legacy for the 2025 Boys’ hockey season. Well done and thank you for you service to School Hockey: Year 13’s Ed, Zaid, Robert, James, Joshua and Year 11’s Harry and Dylan. We hope there are still lots of miles in your hockey journey.
