Month: March 2015
The U14B/C team played a highly competitive match against St Felix U14B. The team was very enthusiastic and motivated to give a solid performance, and that they did.
The first 3 quarters were close affairs. Rosa McInerney doing particularly both defence and attack. Rosa managed to break down multiple attacks from St Felix, allowing Woodbridge to gain possession and maintain pressure.
The 4th quarter started with scores close at 6-5. This was when very good attacking movement and passing between Harriet Spence, Millie Cave and Hannah Dodsworth resulted in Woodbridge having more possession and feeding quality ball into the shooters. Lucy Appell in particular was on top form, converting most opportunities. Woodbridge dominated this final 10 minutes of the match and won the match 11-5.
Player of the match: Rosa McInerney
U14As
It has been a busy few weeks for the U14A team. Before half-term, they travelled to Ipswich High for one of their last league matches with only the bare 7. The girls knew this was going to be their toughest game yet as Ipswich High’s U14s had made it through to the Regional competition back in January. From the starting whistle, the girls cannot be faulted for how they approached the game with dedication, determination and want for the ball. Katy Garnett and Maddie Felton both had a storming game shooting and hardly missed, and Eleanor Berridge and Mollie Biddle kept the pressure on the opposition’s shooters. Zara Lye made her debut for the A team and played an absolute blinder – especially after feeling very anxious about playing! Chloe Outen and Flora Johnston played faultlessly in the centre court and supported their attackers superbly. Well done girls on an excellent performance – definitely the best of the season so far! Won 23 – 12
St Joseph’s game was a completely different story after half-term, as the girls did not want it as badly as the Ipswich High game. However, after a shaky start, with the ball being thrown away at every opportunity, we managed to regain our composure and begin to think about our movement both on and off the ball. Even after the opposition putting on a younger and more experienced player, to help their team succeed, our girls managed to hold it together and fight until the final whistle. Luckily we won – by 2 goals!! Won 11 – 9
A friendly match v St Felix, enabled us to include Florence Appell and Ella Sambrook into the mix. This was a scrappy game to begin with, but at half-time, the girls began to think about their dodging and passing down court, which enabled us to take control of the game. A good performance from all and whichever combination played, every one gave it their all. Well done! Won 21 – 9
U12As
The U12As have had an extremely busy few weeks with matches v Culford, The Abbey, Ipswich High and St Jo’s, not forgetting to mention the South Suffolk tournament too.
In our matches against Culford’s U12A & B teams, we showed superb team work and communication, enabling us to get away with a strong lead in the first half. Going into the 2nd half 6 – 0 up, the team knew they had to work hard to prevent Culford from scoring whilst trying to increase our score. At the final whistle, the girls knew they had achieved what they set out to do. Instead of playing South Lee’s U11A team, as this was arranged as a triangular, we played Culford’s U12B team. The team should be pleased with their performance – especially as positions were swapped around, enabling the girls to prove their worth on a netball court. v U12As Won 10 – 1 & v U12B Won 15 – 0
We knew the fixture v Ipswich High was going to be our toughest yet, so the girls warmed up and prepared themselves both physically and mentally. In the past, it has taken a quarter to get into the games we have been playing, but not on this occasion, we had to put in 100% from the starting whistle and the girls cannot be faulted for their grit and determination. Our movement down the court was not only superb, but effective and enabled us to lose our defenders, therefore keeping possession of the ball. An excellent team effort by all – and some of the best netball this team have played. With the score 6 – 6 at half time and 11 – 10 to us at the end of the 3rd quarter, the girls had to give everything they had in the last quarter to ensure we came away with a win. The ball was going from end to end, with a goal being scored every time. Finally, we managed to close IHS down and score on their centre, therefore going ahead by 1 goal. This was the crucial point as it made us realise we could win the game – and we did. Well done girls!! Won 16 – 12
After a successful Friday afternoon of netball against The Abbey, where the As won 22 – 4, even with every single girl playing a number of positions, including shooters, it was an early Saturday morning match v St Jo’s next on the agenda. The girls were in good spirits as they had had a successful week. Their performance cannot be faulted as they applied themselves in exactly the same way as the Ipswich High game and played some excellent netball. Preventing their opposition from scoring half was their target – which they achieved!! Well done!! Won 37 – 15
The U18 Boys 1st XI surpassed all expectations to reach the tournament semi-final in what was a fantastic day of hockey.
However, the day started with a very nervous performance against Abingdon; at 3-1 down with two minutes to go we had to rely on the individual brilliance of Askins and Lyne paired with the clinical finishing of Robson to save us from defeat. 3-3.
The second match was against our local rivals, Framlingham. This was very much a one sided affair with Woodbridge dominating from start to finish. The final score was 3-0 but it could have been more if not for spoilt chances and good saves. 3-0.
The Framlingham result was clearly the catalyst for the day’s events as we surged towards victory in the third game against Reigate Grammar. 3-0.
Spectators were now starting to talk about Woodbridge and the style of hockey they were playing (fluent, energetic, skilful and clinical).
However, we were brought back down to earth with a bang in the fourth game against an average yet energetic Simon Langton team. Woodbridge were 2-1 up with two minutes to play but managed to throw it away after some lapses in concentration. 2-3.
We now knew that only wins in the next two games would stand us with a chance of progressing through to the cup semi’s (top of each group).
The next game was against Eltham College (beat us last year in the plate quarter final). This was a closely fought contest that ended 1-1. The result could have gone either way but in the end probably resulted in the fairest outcome.
The final game of the group was against the Perse School. Cambridge. We played by far the best hockey of the day to secure an easy 2-0 victory. At this point we had accepted now that we would be, once again, playing in the plate.
We needed Framlingham to beat Abingdon (highly unlikely based on the day’s results). However, Fram managed to score with the last touch of the game to send us through to the cup semi-finals against the hosts, St George’s College.
The cup semi-final saw a tired, yet very motivated Woodbridge team play the favourites, St George’s College who had not yet dropped a point during the day.
We started very nervously and conceded within four minutes. We fought back valiantly and scored two quick goals with only two minutes to spare (2-1). We were then caught by a devastating break one minute from time. Final whistle, 2-2…extra time. We had five more minutes to play; at the end of the time the team winning would progress to the final. Unfortunately the opposition scored again with a minute to go sending them through to the final.
I would like to say a massive congratulations and thank you to the boys involved for the maturity, quality and commitment they showed throughout the day. It was a privilege to be part of it and they should be very proud of the part they played in making it such a success.
A special mention must go to James Bellhouse and Callum Askins; both these boys were outstanding and shone above any other individuals consistently through the day.
Man of the Tournament: James Bellhouse
Calendars detailing the wide range of School activities are available here. (more…)
The U12B played away to Orwell Park. With 135 goals scored in their last 14 matches goal shooters Verity Hobday and Libby Martin were promoted to the A team to play at the U12A tournament on the same day. So without their regular shooters Hope Jerstice got to play her first game for the team shooting. The team adapted well but they conceded a goal in the last twenty seconds of the game, having to settle for a 6-6 draw. Grace Childs had a particularly good game as goal keeper while Maddy Cheshire worked hard to progress the ball into the circle and scored several goals. It was also good to hear the A team won all their matches at the tournament. Well done to all the girls!
13 U16 hockey players represented Woodbridge at the regional qualifying tournament. With no time to train together as a team and only one substitute the team was prepared for a tough challenge. Woodbridge finished joint third on points but had to settle for fourth place due to goal difference. The school can be very proud of this group of players – their performances today and how they conducted themselves.
We started poorly the first half against eventual winners, The Leys. A much improved second half performance set the team up for the rest of the day despite losing this game heavily. Alfie Agar scored for Woodbridge after good linking between Hugo Kelleway and Oliver Whiting.
The second match against Greshams saw Woodbridge cause the first upset of the day. A very good team performance, and some important saves from Felix Kibble in goal, lead to a very exciting 0-0 draw. Fatigue started to set in but the boys dug deep and were unlucky to lose the third match against Watford 0-3. Watford scored two penalty strokes during this match and Woodbridge had several chances. A good performance from Woodbridge not being reflected in the scoreline.
The final match of the day was a scrappy affair. Woodbridge played the better hockey and dealt with the fatigue better than their opponents from Samuel Whitbread College. The players showing great character to win 1-0. Alfie Agar the scorer again.
It was very encouraging the improvement in skills, decision making and positional play throughout the day. Jasper Beaumont particularly impressed with how he took information on board and implemented it. James Meakin stepped into various positions during the day to good effect, possibly saving his best game for last. Tim Smith had good impact once we got more ball to his side of the pitch. Jack Grant lead by example and gave 100%, despite getting battered and bruised. Jakob Hatfield, Alex Farquharson and Will Pilkington were solid in defence stepping up their marking and distribution fantastically as the day progressed. Hugo Kelleway made an impressive return from injury being outstanding all day.
Forwards Oliver Whiting, Abraham Hew and Alfie Agar worked tirelessly and impressed with their work rate, especially in the press. Goalkeepers Miles Budden and Felix Kibble were kept busy and the stood up to the test well.
Player of the day: Hugo Kelleway.
The U15B squad of ten players played Westbourne in a league match. They started the first quarter 2-5 down despite some excellent shooting from Millie Leith and Rohan Brooks. We pulled one back in the next quarter 6-9 with Alyssa Hedley and Bella Regis playing brilliantly in defence. The third quarter finished on 9-11 and the last quarter saw the determination of the team shine through. A final score of 15-11 saw a well-deserved win to Woodbridge. Tabitha Wilson Smith played some excellent balls into the circle while Lucy Frank worked tirelessly in mid court.
