Category: Sport
This has been an outstanding first Senior School winter for young Ruby Vinton who was competing a year up in Club and Inter County events as an under 13. Ruby was ranked 6th in the UK after a winter in the mud, which is the second highest ranking by any Suffolk athlete, and she is one of only three Suffolk Juniors to make the rankings across the ages. Ruby’s impressive season included a win at the National England Schools’ Cup, victories at the South of England Inter Counties and South of England individual events, and a fantastic 8th at the UK inter Counties.
Not only is Ruby competing a year up, she is an August birthday in Year 7! What a winter; all being well Ruby has an exciting few years ahead.
It was a great day at the ESAA English Schools’ Track and Field Cup.
Our junior (Years 7/8) and intermediate (Years 9/10) athletics teams went to compete in the ESAA English Schools’ Track and Field Cup at Bury St Edmunds on 17 May. With sixteen schools entered competition was tough. Our best 13 girls and 15 boys in each division were selected to compete in two events each in a way which ensured that all the events were covered. After that, it was the distances and times which counted, gaining points for the team – with only the top school to qualify! This was our chance – a chance mirrored across 80-plus similar events for multiple schools across the country.
Our junior girls’ team did well finishing 6th. Highest scorers were Ruby Vinton and Beau Barrington-Hibbert on 38 points, and 37 for Amy Goddard. The best individual performance was Ruby’s in the 1500m, finishing in 4:57!
The Junior boys’ team finished 8th. Top scorers were Fazil Akyol with 39 points, Henry Dinwiddy with 35 and Tom Martin 33. Fazil’s javelin throw of 29.75m was the top scoring individual achievement.
The intermediate girls won with an amazing 408 points (second place RHS on 310 points some way behind). These points place them around 6th in the country as they go into the Regional round… that from 1000 schools taking part! Amazing! Top scorer was Nell Pilkington with an outstanding 54 points with a throw of 11.23m in shot (worth 35 on its own) and 100m run of 13.8s. Second was Sophie Graham with 49 points and third Emily Whyte with 44. Victoria Burrows, Flora Pitt, Isabelle Eaton, Ianthe Hill, Ella Walker, Annie Yates, April Hill, Bea Thomas and Joey Zhou all added excellent scores from fine individual performances to secure victory.
The intermediate boys also won in very fine style with RHS and Farlingaye second and third respectively. Top scorer was Leroy Okojie with 42 points thanks in part to his blistering 11.0s for 100m, second John Hendry with 40 and third Maurico Corfe.
What a season this team has had! Although a couple of their matches were cancelled, due to the inclement weather conditions, we still managed to play some extremely competitive matches. The first league match was against Ipswich High School and we knew from the tournament back in October, that this was going to be a tough game as we had beaten them in the past and vice versa. To say this game was a nail biting one is an understatement… Although we went ahead in the first quarter, the High School soon caught up until the score was level pegging. Every centre mattered as well as every goal. In the final quarter, the score was 20 all with only 2 minutes to go. Luckily, we managed to convert our centre which took us one goal ahead and then we turned their next centre over and scored…yes! A great win which was deserved. Next was another tough team: Ipswich School. Yet again, this game was nail biting until the end, particularly as we were behind going into the fourth quarter. The girls cannot be faulted for their sheer determination to ensure they came away with another win to secure a good position in the South Suffolk League. Farlingaye were next – again another team we wanted to gain success against…and we did, by quite a big margin. The last league games were against St Jo’s A and B teams.
We faced the B team first and secured a 57 – 2 win…now currently competing for 1st in the league with rivals St Jo’s. They had won all of their fixtures, so this was the match of all matches! Definitely the best game of the season, the team focused from the starting whistle and gave 100% from the off. At the end of the first quarter we were 8 – 5 up, but unfortunately we were unable to hold this lead and we were trailing behind by 1 at the end of each quarter. Going in to the final quarter, the team knew they had to continue to focus and give everything they had if they were in with a chance of winning. With one minute to go, the score was 25 all…we intercepted St Jo’s centre, but unfortunately could not convert it. St Jo’s then sneakily scored to go one up and with our centre; it was all to play for. The ball reached our attacking circle, where a shot was put up but the opposition gained possession just before the final whistle. A really emotional but positive end to the season, particularly playing a team who compete in the BUCS league every Wednesday afternoon. I am so proud of you all with how you conducted yourself against some feisty competition…an excellent game to end Year 13 on for some of you.
Thank you to all the parents and students who came to support the girls – it was amazing having such a big crowd and people to encourage the team as I was umpiring!!
U15C
This is the first time we have entered an U15C team into the South Suffolk league – which is amazing. This team in particular should be congratulated on their efforts on the netball court as they played excellently, especially against some tough and boisterous opposition. Their heads never went down and they fought until the final whistle of each match. They had some difficult matches against other schools’ B teams, but always tried their absolute hardest. Frustratingly for them, most of their matches were narrow defeats, losing by only 2 or 3 goals. Well done girls, thank you for all you have done on the netball court! Team: Lizzie Boynton (Captain), Emma Trebilcock, Petronella Powell, Iona Murland, Beth Turner, Livia Gray, Kira Sharples, Zoe Newman, Amelia Kirkham, Aimen Alvi and Arina Zhukovskaya (who only started playing netball in January).
U14A
The season has been a touch frustrating because many of the squad had commitments to other sports and so could not play for some of the matches, however this has allowed other B team players to experience A team fixtures which has been good for their development.
In defence Ariane Bilgen, Issy Eaton, Molly Marshall and Myla Hart have been very strong. Their understanding of the game and anticipation has increased significantly. In mid court Lottie Edmunds has become a key player in building the teams attack and working hard at intercepting the ball in defence. Jess Elmer, April Hill and Eleanor Wright have also worked hard in the centre court positions. In attack Ella Walker (captain) and Emily Whyte have developed a quick thinking game that has often left the opposition struggling to keep up with them. Their movement and tactics have improved dramatically over the season to end up with polished performances in the circle.
U14B
The U14B team has had a successful season, playing 7 matches and winning 5. Although the squad contained 12 players, they all should be proud of how hard they worked and how well they gelled together as a team in whatever combination they were playing. They even won against A teams(a magnificent achievement), and rounded off their season with a fine victory over Felsted. A real team effort, girls, well done! Particular mention to Joey Zhou, who only started playing netball in January and was nominated POM by most of the opposing teams. Team: Cecily Royal-Dawson (Captain), Ella Reynard, Joey Zhou, Emily Outen, Bea Hutchison, Clara Simpson, Talia Fawcett, Olivia Field, Myla Hart, Ashleigh Wildbore, Maisy Webster and Erin Heffernan.
U14C
This was the first time we have entered an U14C team into the South Suffolk Netball league – which shows the sheer commitment and depth we have at Woodbridge. I cannot fault the girls’ motivated and determined approach in their competitive fixtures, especially playing against other schools’ A teams. Although we were unlucky to lose a few games, the standard of netball they played was terrific. Well done girls for all your hard work – bring on next season! Team: Lakisha Charema (Captain), Nina Varadarajan, Julia Long, Ruby Cole, Abby Cheung, Katie Bellhouse, Jo Dunmore, Gabby McKay, Jade Soames, Etiane Cheung and Basak Kayalik (who only started playing netball in January!).
Well done to the U12A team on their success this season. Not only did they win their South Suffolk Tournament (playing against the league teams), but they won their league as well! The team had some fantastic victories, and some extremely nail-biting games – particularly against Ipswich School where they came from behind in the last quarter to triumph. Their commitment, dedication and desire to do their best cannot be faulted…thank you! Well done to the team; Libbie Brightey (Captain), Steph Gifford, Maddie Buchanan, Esme Ball, Ruby Vinton, Beau Barrington-Hibbert, Ada Marson and Maggie Nicholson. Thank you also to Izzy Mitchell for stepping in during the tournament due to injury. A superb season girls, and one of which you should be very proud.
What a game!
After a quiet start with Milly Buckingham and Sarah Barker feeding the circle well, it was nonetheless Felsted who went ahead at the end of the first quarter. Determined to wrest back control, the girls set themselves the task of taking the lead by half time. We put in a sustained effort: Tess Lye and Joanne Garnett ruled our attacking circle and put some great shots in, Amy Graham and Sarah fed the circle brilliantly, and our defence of Katherine Bye and Tash Doole, along with Maud Peel made a huge defensive effort. 13-8 at half time! Back came Felsted, as we knew they would… and before long it was 14-15. Panic? Not a bit of it: the girls rallied strongly and finished the third and vital quarter 24-18 ahead.
So into the final quarter and Lucy Hudson made her presence felt with us playing some brilliant defensive netball, Sarah was the most determined I had ever seen her, and we kept our lead to win by 31-25. A great game and well worth the journey!
Well done, girls – and Mrs Johnson says what a pleasure you have been to teach all season.
King’s Ely have proven footballing credentials on the independent schools circuit; it was a wise choice all round for our firsts to play their seconds, and our seconds to play their thirds, and two cracking games ensued. The first team match began in febrile fashion which curtailed the quality of the football on display. Regular defender Nathan Lloyd and “stand-in” Olly Whiting had to be on sharp form to intercept a number of possible through balls as King’s made the early running. Nil-nil at half-time meant the game was on a knife-edge. Joe Farrall asserted greater influence and control in the second-half and there was better use of width; Will Clarke whipped in a cross that was missed by our first attacker but Seb Lamb was on hand to slot the ball home. A second Woodbridge goal came from a well-flighted set-piece delivery from Joe Farrall that was met with a towering header from Olly Whiting. There was a nervy end to the game with King’s pushing hard; Frank “Franky” Norman was on top form in goal and kept a well-earned clean sheet in his last appearance in a Woodbridge jersey. The game ended 2-0 to Woodbridge and the only sour note was an unfortunate knee injury to one of the visiting players; we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Over the season as a whole the 1st XI have made real progress; since Michaelmas Term we have played twelve competitive fixtures, winning six and losing six. A massive thank-you to all the boys involved for making it such an entertaining season.
This was an eagerly anticipated fixture; the same game last season produced a crushing 10 – 2 win in favour of St Felix and so we were keen to give a better account of ourselves this year. That said, a number of key players were rested to enable the coach to get a better view of the talent base in advance of next season.
It was therefore somewhat frustrating to arrive with a large development squad and yet only face a bare seven St Felix players. The solution was to switch to a small-sided pitch and play 7-a-side with plenty of rotation. St Felix set the early pace and took the lead with a well-taken goal; it would have been more of an advantage had Will Jennings not made a string of reaction saves at close range to keep us in the game. Steadily we fought our way back and after a string of good chances we eventually drew level and then went into the lead with two very accomplished finishes from budding young striker Harry Field.
In the second half we were determined to play a shorter brand of football than either side had managed in the first half; it paid handsome dividends. Goals from Henry Bange, Joe Farrall, Seb Lamb and two from the imposing Chisom Oguamanam secured a convincing second half performance and an overall 7–2 victory. The boys on show will make up the heart of the first team for next year and things are really looking up for Woodbridge football.
On Saturday 17 March, six of our top athletes competed for Suffolk at the England Schools’ Cross Country Championship in Leeds.
All 44 counties entered their top 8 athletes, so 352 elite cross country athletes competed in each race in the sleet and icy wind.
In the Junior Girls’ Race April Hill had the race of her season finishing in 12th place and just missing selection for the England Team (top 8) by 3 seconds after two miles in the mud. This was a quite fantastic effort at the highest level, an amazing return to form for April after a few years of injury disruption, and a very proud day for the Hill family.
Bea Thomas was immensely proud to earn her second England Schools’ badge (still aged only 13) and she once again competed very well against the best in England finishing in the 200’s.
In the Junior Boys’ Race Charlie Turner had his best ever result on the National stage finishing strongly in 23rd place. A top 25 at England Schools’ is an outstanding national level achievement. Charlie was only 45 seconds behind the winner.
Not to be outdone, Kit Evans Lombe had his best ever result at Nationals, finishing 101st. To give the result some context, after 4.1 km in the mud there were only 5 seconds between Kit and 82nd place.
In the Inter Boys’ Nathan Goddard was unlucky to pick up a midweek head cold but still travelled to compete for the Suffolk Team. Fighting hard all the way Nathan once again recorded a top 100 finish in 66th place. His Suffolk teammate, with whom he had run all year, finished 31st giving Nathan a pointer as to what might have been.
For Alex Evans Lombe, this was a debut England Schools’ performance and he competed exceptionally well to finish in the 200’s. Alex only started to take cross country seriously 18 months ago, and this winter he qualified for three County teams which is a testament to his work ethic and commitment.
Saving the best for last, the Junior Boys’ Suffolk Team unbelievably finished second overall in the team standings which is quite incredible when you consider the size of the County compared to the might of some of the other 43.
In fact, there were further Inter County Competitions on the day in which each county was classified according to population. Suffolk is a ‘C’ County and in that category Suffolk won the overall boys’ and were second in the girls’. A fantastic result!
Well done to all the Woodbridge School athletes for their contribution. A well-deserved rest lies ahead, before we switch to track and a long-awaited summer!