Boys’ Hockey: 1st team v RHS

Score: Won 3-1

The boys 1^st team secured their second win of the term with a convincing 3-1 win over RHS. After a slow start with too much time spent in their own half , the boys finally started to build momentum and a turning point came after a slick series of passes up the right side of the pitch which took them into threatening areas.  A series of well executed long corners and penalty corners followed, but none were converted (though the choreography was encouraging given it is so early on in the term). Ben Kilburn, Toby Stowe and Ben Spence all came close to scoring but were denied by the RHS keeper and defenders clearing the ball.  RHS had attacks of their own but no clear cut chances, until the tables turned halfway through the first half when Woodbridge took on one player too many in their own defensive area and lost the ball on their own 23m line. With defenders out of position due to supporting the attacking build up, RHS took their chance well and put the ball in the back of the net with little resistance offered. 0-1 to RHS.

This setback propelled Woodbridge into action and they continued to dominate big phases of the game again. After peppering the RHS circle Woodbridge’s first breakthrough came when Ben Kilburn finished well from a rebound following a series of saves from the RHS keeper. Ben Spence took the score to 2-1 before half time when he also finished well from another rebound.

The second half saw RHS have two big chances. Miles Budden, making his debut in goal, made sure nothing came of the first chance when he made a great 1-on-1 save winning the ball clearly before the RHS player collided with him. The second scary moment came for Woodbridge at a penalty corner. Ben Kilburn and Tom Innes reacted well to the variation at the top of the D and the ball was cleared to safety. Myles King put the game out of reach when he scored Woodbridge’s third goal ten minutes from the end of the match. Myles kept getting close to scoring throughout the match so it was fitting that he got his name on the score sheet, rewarding 70 minutes of hard work.

Woodbridge can be very satisfied with this win, knowing they did some things very well and taking note of what needs to be improved. Again a number of players contented for the player of the match award – indeed everyone played well.  However the honours went to  Ben Kilburn for a very consistent, composed and dominant performance: his decision making, work rate and patience in the defensive press was instrumental in the number of turnovers won; and in attack his experience was also telling, so often being in the best place at the right time to build pressure and create chances.

Thank you to everyone who supported the game so well.  Woodbridge’s next opponents will be Norwich School in the U18 Cup competition.