Hockey Heating Up for Woodbridge U15A Boys Team
Our U15A Boys Hockey team kicked off the season with an early fixture and superb performance against our local rivals, Fram College in the Independent Schools Cup.
On a cold winter’s evening, the boys were on fire on the pitch, starting the stronger team and camping in the opposition 23m area for the opening minutes.
Despite several half-chances, close misses and saves, the opening goal was not to be. Framlingham started to build momentum and had a number of chances of their own from open play and PCs (penalty corners). GK, Year 10’s Ernest and the defending trio of Year 10’s Theo and Alex with Year 9’s Oliver M in front of him, made strong tackles, intercepts, saves and clearances to keep things level.
Co-captains, Year 10’s Jasper and Tom controlled the mid-field, with good decision making and skill in possession, alongside an immense work rate when needing to defend.
Woodbridge kept pushing to get goals in the second half, moving the ball all over the pitch, and confident to transfer round the back and feed the forwards up the line. Superb leading and work rate from Year 10’s Rowan set the tone for exciting forward play, including rotations, high and wide leads off each other. Year 9’s Oliver Y was strong in mid-field and dynamic up front, getting close to scoring and setting up his fellow forwards in the 9 yard area.
The game continued to be end-to-end, entertaining the growing group of spectators. The team was very grateful for the support!
As the game came to a close, Framlingham capitalised from a series of quick free hits in the 23m area, breaking through defenses on a third attempt and a cracking rising reverse stick shot flew into the right corner. Nothing much could be done to prevent this superb goal.
Woodbridge picked themselves up and camped in the Fram half to push for the equalizer, with three more chances, only to be denied by a great one-on-one GK save and composed penalty corner defence.
At the final whistle the Woodbridge team stood tall, knowing they delivered a great performance; disappointed not to get the result, but very much hungry to push themselves to even better play.
This team showed the biggest hearts and very quick learning, executing every tactic and being organised in set pieces. Well done to each player who represented the team so well on and off the pitch and good luck for the season ahead. Congratulations to Year 10’s Theo who was voted players’ Player of the Match.
