Category: Sport
The U14A team continued their unbeaten run of fixtures with a 5-0 win over Ipswich High away on Thursday. A squad of sixteen payers all contributed to the success with five already having run the cross country at RHS in the morning! An early goal in the first five minutes by a drag flick on a short corner by Molly Marshall was followed by a second duplicated move half way through the first half. Julia Long was to score the third on the left post. In the second half Emily Whyte scored first and then Molly completed her hat trick, executing another drag flick this time in open play. The girls nominated Molly player of the match and Julia also received several votes. Cecily Royal-Dawson worked hard up the right side of the pitch making good crosses, while Katie Bellhouse created lots of space for the team. As usual the central midfield players Clara Simpson and Ella Walker worked skilfully and tirelessly to support the team. Ariane Bilgen, Olivia Bedford, Jess Elmer and Eleanor Wright were secure at the back with Issy Eaton in total control in goal. Jo Dunmore, Ashleigh Wildbore and Lottie Edmunds worked hard in midfield to create opportunities for the team. A great squad effort well done to all!
The Girls’ 1st team topped off a good first half of the season with a great win over King’s Ely. Woodbridge started strongly with India Lawson scoring the opening goal five minutes into the match thanks to Georgia Harrold’s skilful feed. But the early goal led to a slightly unguarded relaxation which allowed King’s Ely a scent of a chance which they took, punishing Woodbridge with two goals in return – once from open play and once from a penalty corner.
Half time gave Woodbridge a chance to regroup: plans were made how to deal with King’s main play maker; the press was fine-tuned; and a much more determined Woodbridge team took the field. The forwards worked incredibly well together and linked up perfectly, in particular India, Georgia and Victoria Williams. Kiya Smith showed good positional play and decision making; and Poppy Fletcher can be very proud of excellent play on debut. Woodbridge equalised early, with Victoria deflecting the ball into goal, after good play again by India and Georgia, herself on the score sheet soon after. At the other end of the pitch Woodbridge did very well to break down play, make last ditch tackles, save and clear away chances for King’s, with Joanne Garnett, Chloe Outen, Eleanor Berridge, Sophie Little and Mollie Biddle all making crucial interventions. Meanwhile in midfield Georgina Warren and Mollie Biddle were impressively influential, distributing the ball well.
With the defence secure, and with the team growing in confidence, Woodbridge killed the game off when India scored the fourth goal and Victoria followed with a fifth after a great solo effort 6 minutes from the end: a perfect pass cut through the King’s defence to find Victoria on the half way line; she wove her way past two defenders and finished with a perfectly timed strike rocketed into the back board.
The team reflected on a great win: in particular Georgia Harrold worked very hard, played an excellent match in different positions and had a hand in almost every goal; Poppy Fletcher deserves a mention for playing so well on debut, seemingly showing no nerves; Victoria Williams had an outstanding game; but it was India Lawson who was voted player of the match for a magnificent performance.
This first game of the season was a skilful and exciting one. Home side Langley was well prepared with a strong squad; Woodbridge travelled with a relatively young squad ready to challenge hard. And challenge they did as our boys held the lead into the second quarter thanks to exciting quick breaks by Chisom Oguamanam and superb defence by Olly Wroe. The middle sector of the game however, was dominated by Langley and their outstanding ball carrier whose pace and athleticism was difficult to handle. The strength of “the bench” and the physicality of the home side in the end proved to be the deciding factor in the result as Langley won by 39-27.
The Junior 1st Hockey team finished a very impressive fourth out of twelve at the U13 County Cup. The team produced their best hockey of the term, with some great team play and very impressive individual performances. The afternoon started with two solid 0-0 draws against OBH and Finborough, Woodbridge dominating most of the play in these matches, and defending so very well. Woodbridge turned their dominant play into a 1-0 win against South Lee: first, captain Katie Norman, Annie Nicholass and Chloe Macmillan all being influential in forcing a rebound, for Beau Barrington-Hibbert to put away the goal – a perfect example of teamwork; later on, Katie was unlucky to have a goal disallowed, which would have been the icing on the cake for a near perfect game from her; and Ruby Vinton made an excellent last minute save to secure the win. Next up was the tough team from Orwell Park, who had been doing well all afternoon. Woodbridge can be very proud of their play: going 1-0 down, the girls strove for an equaliser which just wouldn’t come, only for Orwell Park to score a counter attack goal which was always the risk. 0-2 was a very respective losing margin to a team which put more than 5 past every other opponent. The last pool match was against Ipswich School, and was a must-win for Woodbridge to progress. Ella Smith scored the winning goal, pouncing on a rebound at a short corner, a just rewarded for an afternoon of top play by her. Annie Nicholass also excelled during the pool stages of the competition.
Woodbridge made it through to the semi-final to face Framlingham Prep, the eventual winners. It was another gutsy performance but the win was not to be. Having already put everything in, the last match of the day against Barnadiston was a tough affair. Tired legs and minds resulted in Woodbridge losing their structure and discipline in the press and Barnadiston took advantage of this to win 1-0.
Well done to the team for superb hockey, especially in the pool stages. In particular Ella Pitt was voted the player of the tournament, and was very impressive in defence and midfield; Ella Smith was excellent too, also showing how much she has learnt so far this term; Katie Norman was consistently good as we have now become used to; and Ruby Vinton was praised by everyone at the event for her goalkeeping. Woodbridge School is very proud of how the team represented the school: they were great ambassadors for young sportswomen.
On Wednesday the year 6 A team travelled to Fram Prep to play a match. The A team arrived with an exited and a confident vibe. We started the first half of the match very well and Georgie scored one amazing goal. We had a few short corners but unfortunately we didn’t score a goal on any of them. The whistle went and we had a little pep talk about our play and went back on the pitch feeling confident.
The second half started off well. We managed to get the ball into the D very quickly. Frustratingly they managed to get the ball down and score a good goal. Sadly we didn’t have our usual goalie, but still did well and fought through. At the end of the match we drew, the score was 1 – 1. We did well because they were a very tough team to beat.
This was our best match so far in the season because we tried our hardest.
By Issy Deacon
On Wednesday The Abbey Y5 girls had a wonderful afternoon playing hockey with the girls from Old School Hensted. We mixed up the girls to create four teams and played a tournament which was very competitive. The results were close; two teams finished on the same points for second and third with the Green team the overall winners. The girls had great fun, made new friends and improved their hockey without really realising it.
The Sports Leaders had a diverse day which was interesting, informative and fun. Safeguarding and dementia talks, planning and running a Y7 tournament and skill session and a Circus Skills workshop.
Woodbridge Under 16s led by captain George Barker travelled to Finborough keen to impress, and wasted little time proving as much, as Alex Evans Lombe immediately created quick ball for centre Charlie Mayhew to score in the corner. Jonny Max converted for a 7-0 lead, and almost from the restart Tom Harrington nipped over in the corner to extend the lead to 12-0.
More followed: Gabe Newland bulldozed over from close range; Leo Brooks converted; Theo Wright cantered in for another which he converted himself; Gabe completed his brace after another crashing run in at the corner. 31-0 at half time!
Woodbridge took the opportunity at the interval to make a number of changes and, after a period of adjustment and with Josh Holland and James Moss starring at half back, the points began to flow again: first Alex pounced on loose ball to score his second, then Henry Bull finished off a driving maul, and finally Theo rampaged through the Finborough defence to round things off at a very satisfactory 46-0. Man of the match Gabriel Newland.
Many congratulations to the U14B girls’ hockey team for their very impressive 4-0 victory over Norwich. It was a beautiful but hot afternoon at Harleston, and our girls had a match plan as clear as the sky was blue, especially from those crucial set plays. From the off the girls chased the ball down, passed with measured effectiveness, and pushed up field menacingly. Indeed, in the first half play was mostly in Norwich’s final quarter of the pitch. Maisy Webster opened the scoring with a very nice powerful shot from 3m out; and a few minutes later the Woodbridge girls intercepted the ball and with more confidence worked to convert another cross into the goal, Cecily Royal-Dawson flicking the ball confidently past the goalkeeper. Meanwhile Ashleigh Wildbore was terrorising the Norwich girls with her ball speed down the right wing and she was the third player to score after an excellent run down the wing thanks to Talia Fawcett’s support. Emily Outen then rounded off the scoring in fine style as she slapped the ball from the left post across the keeper and into the goal – a textbook finish!
The whole team should be pleased with their performance. It was a joy to watch.
An early trip down to London with the normal busy traffic wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of our four girls vying to become regional champions. We arrived at the venue in the nick of time and got straight on with our warm up. Our semi-final fixture against Westcliff High School was a tough affair with Woodbridge 3-1 down going into the doubles. Some spirited displays followed but we couldn’t get the victory and we had to settle for a place in the 3rd and 4th place playoff against Bungay High School. This is when the girls came into their own, winning 4-2 with some great individual and doubles tennis being played. A great day out and the 3rd place to keep the smiles on the faces of the girls. Well done to Victoria Burrows, Sophie Graham, Saffron Holliday and Annabel Yates.