Month: February 2015
Score: Won 28-9
A totally different team stepped onto court against Thomas Mills in attitude and the will and drive to win. Thanks must go to Amy Weir-Simmons, Lucy-May Turner, Rosie Streat, and Chloe Neall, for stepping up to the plate and playing for the U16As. We dominated the game throughout with some brilliant defending from Ellie Aitchison and Laura Graham. Alex Lillywhite held the centre of the court together with skill and speed and this was matched by Amy, Rosie, and Lucy-May. Chloe Neall played brilliantly up a year group and worked really hard as GS, moving well and putting away some brilliant shots. Freya Cooney was encouraging and lead the commentating on court which was fantastic and lead to a convincing victory. Well done!
U19 v Ipswich School
W 31 – 30
With Ipswich having their full team, the game was very even with the ball moving from one end to the other. Although we were trailing behind at the end of each quarter, the girls were more determined than ever and were not going to give up without a fight. After going behind by 5 goals during the 3rd quarter, the girls knew they had to step it up a gear or two and really focus tactically, to try to eliminate the tall GS. Esmee Scott, Ellisse Morey & Tara King managed to double mark the GS out of the game and Ella Burdett, Imogen Craig & Imogen Bacon delayed the GA from entering their attacking D. Confidence seemed to diminish in our shooting due to the cold harsh breeze, which was affecting our shots. After a stern team talk (and confidence boost), the girls were more determined than ever. Trailing 22 – 24 going in to the 4th and final quarter, we had everything to play for. Olivia Woodmansee and Lily Felton soon found their form and confidence so the goals went in. Finally, we were level pegging with only 1 minute left. A superb interception by Bella Chater in centre court enabled us to gain possession of the ball and have another shot. Luckily it went in…31 – 30 to us. Ipswich had a final centre pass, but we fortunately closed them down and used the last few seconds of the game to play the ball around. Again, as the final whistle went, the girls knew they had down it again…yay!! To say this was another exciting and nail biting game is an understatement – a simply fantastic performance.
Thank you to Mrs Morey and Mr Felton for their shouting, support and encouragement from the side-line – especially as I am not allowed to say anything whilst umpiring!!
U14A v Kesgrave
W 35 – 4
After the team’s convincing win against Ipswich School on Saturday in their recent league fixture, they were all determined and motivated for this next league match v Kesgrave. Maddie Felton and Katy Garnett’s shooting was just perfect as they found the net every time. At the end of the 1st quarter we were leading 11 – 0 so the girls had found their form quite early on. Eleanor Berridge and Mia King defended superbly and prevented Kesgrave from scoring until the 3rd quarter where we had increased our lead to 30 – 0. Chloe Outen, Mollie Biddle and Flora Johnston supported play in the centre court and helped to feed our attacking circle effectively – picking up interceptions and loose balls. With the shooters on form, a change was made to enable Jemima Hill to join in. She proved her worth by moving and shooting effectively helping us to a 35 – 4 win. Well done girls on a great team effort.
U14A v Northgate
W 27 – 8
The first half of this game was played outside in the cold & snow showers. It was a struggle though as the ball was wet and fingers were cold, with any movement being limited in case of any injuries, but we managed to hold on to a good lead 13 – 5. Finally in the warmth, the team turned things around and started to play like they wanted to win. A solid performance by all, but definitely didn’t match their matches last week! We look forward to our toughest match yet against Ipswich High on Thursday 12th February.
There was a full and very enthusiastic house for this splendid event at the Abbey Hall last Friday evening, when OW Owen Dawson brought his quartet, all of whom are, like Owen, current students or recent graduates of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music jazz programme. With guitarist Michael de Souza, Flo Moore on bass and Jay Davis on drums, Owen’s group gave us two sets of mellow treatments of well-known standards. Their thoughtful and sensitive improvisations were lapped up by the audience, and there were many requests for a return visit. Seated cabaret-style, the audience had been invited to bring their own food and drink: there was a pleasingly competitive element to the table-settings.
Between Owen’s two sets the school’s recently-formed Jazz Band performed their own set of five numbers, played with great gusto by Harrison Perkins & Josh Cole (saxes), Felix Kibble, guitar, Charlie Green, bass, Harrison Cole, piano and Freeman Lok, drums. They will have been inspired by Owen’s example to take things to a higher level still; we’ll look forward to hearing more.
Norwich School 2 – 4 Woodbridge School
Woodbridge 1st XI maintained their 100% record with another convincing win against a young, yet very able Norwich side. We started at a blistering pace, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes. The control and dominance continued throughout the first half with one extra goal being added to the tally. 3-0 half time.
Another half time talk from the coach saw an emphasis placed on composure and discipline, and maintaining a certain quality. However, once again the foot was taken off the pedal and Woodbridge allowed Norwich back in to the game making it a nail biting last ten minutes with the score at 3-2. The team were bailed out by some individual determination and brilliance from Ed Robson as he fired the ball past the helpless goalkeeper taking his tally to 13 (in four games) for the season.
With the next game being Ipswich School in the second round of the cup we know what must be done in order to tighten up certain areas. The emphasis is now placed on maintaining quality through 70 minutes. I believe we can be victorious if we achieve this goal.
A special mention must go to James Bellhouse; having played in goal for four weeks he is still very inexperienced. However, he made some vital saves at various stages of the match that may have helped determine the score line. A very well deserved man of the Match!