Category: Sport
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.
Wow – what a Christmas Holidays.
My Ski training started on Saturday 10 December and I had the run up to Christmas training in Austria with Ambition Racing – my ski Team.
Training weeks mean early starts – normally 5am then breakfast at 5.30am, to be on the Mountain and ready to practice from 7am until 1pm. Then back to our team base for a pasta lunch and then off to the local Austrian school 2.30pm – 6.30pm with our tutors to keep up to date with school work and homework, then back to base for supper and ski preparation ready for the next morning. Not exactly a holiday but good fun as well as being hard work.
This routine continued after Christmas – I felt like I was the only person in school on 28 December, as it is not possible to fit in school work on days where we are racing, all non-racing week days are school days.
My first competitions as a fully fledged member of the team were VERY exciting. I couldn’t wait to see if all the training I have done since last May was going to make a difference.
On 6-8 January the Ambition Championships took place in in Hinterreit, about 15 minutes from our training base. I won three silver medals and a bronze – I was thrilled, especially as I was the fastest English girl. On 10-11 January the first Evolution Speed Championships took place. The location, Reiteralm, was about an hour and a half away from base, so very early starts. I was thrilled to win first place in the British Giant Slalom U12, and second in the International competition.
I am back in England until Saturday 21 January I have to work on my fitness, training every morning before school to keep my legs and knees strong and keep improving my core and cardio fitness. Then back to the slopes in Switzerland for three days of training before the next races.
Press coverage of the Suffolk Schools’ Series B Cross Country Championships, hosted by Woodbridge School.
The boys 1st team faced their first big challenge of the season less than a week into term when they faced Felsted in the National U18 Cup. Preparation started with some training and selection sessions prior to Christmas and the start of the new term and competition for places was fierce.
The Woodbridge U18 team travelled to Felsted with seven debutants. A young team, including two year 10 pupils (Alex Weir-Simmons & Oliver Juszt), relied on senior players to lead the way and steady the ship and the talent and enthusiasm of new recruits to adapt quickly to a faster pace and increased pressure of senior school boy hockey. All involved passed this test and it made for a very exciting, end-to-end afternoon of hockey.
Woodbridge started the stronger team, forcing 3 penalty corners early on. Over-excitement perhaps led to less than clinical execution of the first few routines. Continued pressure and another penalty corner in the 7th minute saw Myles King open the scoring with a drag flick at a too awkward height for the Felsted goalkeeper to deal with. Woodbridge continued to build play up well but gave possession away too cheaply in the final third of the pitch by attempting long balls at the wrong time or running into flat sticks. Good defensive structure and discipline in tracking back ensured that Woodbridge was nearly always on hand to stop Felsted advancing. When they did break through Oliver Juszt in goal was on hand, making great saves to keep a clean sheet going into half time. 1-0 to Woodbridge.
In the second half, Woodbridge was more patient in their play and started to use the whole width of the pitch better. They played attractive passing hockey out the back and through the midfield, which resulted in good scoring chances. However, halfway through the second half momentum shifted in Felsted’s favour and despite heroics from Oliver Juszt in goal they equalised with 13 minutes to go. This seemed to negate any complacency the Woodbridge boys may have had and it was back to business. Slick passing and good decision making became the order of the day again. A few tired errors in defence gave Felsted a couple more good scoring chances but Oliver Juszt again denied them certain goals and kept Woodbridge in the game. As the Woodbridge bench started to prepare for the pending penalty strokes in the event of a draw, a very quick and clinical counter attack resulted in the perfect ending. Captain Ben Kilburn gained possession and moved the ball wide. It went back into the centre midfield where Myles King timed the perfect through ball to Alex Weir-Simmons in the D… two touches… GOAL! Woodbridge played clever, slow hockey for the remaining two minutes of the game to secure a most satisfying and deserved 2-1 victory.
There were many good performances, especially by players on debut (Oliver Bacon, Jakob Hatfield, James Phelan and Dom Ellis-Freeman). Ben Kilburn did not miss a tackle all game. Myles King was influential and ran Myles in midfield. Alex Weir-Simmons showed composure and quality. But ultimately player of the match went to Oliver Juszt – a brilliant performance in goal and showing why England Hockey have their eyes on him.
Woodbridge now wait to hear who they will face in the next round of this National Competition.
Won 34-13
This was a fantastic displays of some great netball by a large squad of players in the U13s. There were some great passages of play and we were always in control of the game. Olivia Buchanan, Emily Whyte, Ella Walker and Cordelia Griffiths shot well in the circle and they were well supported by some great defensive play by Issy Eaton, Ariane Bilgen, Molly Marshall, and Eleanor Wright. We looked after our turnover ball quite well but held it together in the centre of the court with Clara Simpson, who made some great interceptions, Rebecca Yardy who was cool under pressure and Jess Elmer who moved up and down the court effortlessly.
A great start to the season. Well done!
On Thursday 12th January, Woodbridge School hosted the County Schools’ cross country race. This race was the final competition for the County to select their cross country team for the Anglian Championships. After finishing in the top 50 at RHS in October and top 40 at Culford in December, this competition was going to be tough – however, having the home advantage gave each Woodbridge School runner the incentive, confidence and determination to do well. Coming in the top 12 would gain a place in the county team, so the competition was on!
37 runners made it through to this final round from Culford, but due to injuries and illnesses, only 30 ran – which was still a phenomenal number. 12 out of the 30 runners gained a top 12 place, which was just superb, and is evidence of the depth and level of performer we have at Woodbridge. The top 12 in each race will be selected for the County team to compete at the Anglian Schools’ and if a top 8 place is gained there, then the athletes will go on to represent the County at England Schools’ in March. Good luck to all!!
Special mention and congratulations must go to the following runners who all gained medals; Nathan Goddard, Sarah Barker, Amy Graham, Charlie Turner & Ruby Vinton. These athletes did the most amazing job gaining a top 3 place in their race, especially as they were all running a year up in their respective races. Well done to all the runners in what was an excellent and successful day.
Results:
Minor Girls: Ruby Vinton 1st, Amy Goddard 4th & Anna Jackson 32nd
Minor Boys: Edward Rufford 5th, Edward Buckingham 7th, Tommy Burrows 17th, George Na Nakhorn 29th & Tom Martin 41st.
Junior Girls: Bea Thomas 7th, Molly Marshall 8th, Sophie Graham 17th, Issy Eaton 22nd, Jess Elmer 24th, Emily Whyte 35th, Victoria Burrows 37th.
Junior Boys: Charlie Turner 3rd, Kit Evans Lombe 6th, Thomas Harper 19th, Nathaniel Gunn 20th, Will Franklin 26th, Tom Turner 33rd, Mauricio Corfe 38th & Billy Zhu 45th.
Inter Girls: Sarah Barker 2nd, Amy Graham 3rd & Milly Buckingham 12th.
Inter Boys: Nathan Goddard 1st, George Rufford 17th, Alex Evans Lombe 21st & Daniel Davies 22nd.
The event was brilliantly organised (a comment from the Suffolk Association Chairman), and the course was challenging and perfectly set out. Such a fantastic event could not happen without the help of so many people, so our thanks go to the following:
Mark Goddard, parents and volunteers on the day (and in preparation for the event – taping the course etc.), grounds staff for excellent organisation of the course, and all our staff for marshalling.
Last week Woodbridge School Sports Leaders hosted their annual Year 2 multi-skills festival. There was a huge turnout as 120 children from St Mary’s, Woodbridge, Melton and Queens’s house primary schools took part. The day was filled with Christmas cheer as the children all partook in festive themed sporting activities, that were aimed at improving their agility and coordination skills, taken by our year 11 sports leaders. The children had great fun trying out new activities and making new friends. Both teachers and children had the chance to tuck in to some homemade goodies and refreshments kindly provided by the school catering team. The sports leaders not only ran the event but the sports leaders Committee also planned the organisation of the event, by arranging things such as certificates and festive team labels which the children thoroughly enjoyed. Overall the afternoon was an astounding success and all parties involved seemed to go away with some fond memories.
Score: Won 36-7
Woodbridge 1st XV travelled to King’s Ely keen to finish their domestic season on a high. There were a number of forced team changes and this gave an opportunity for members of the Under 16 to step up to wear the 1st XV shirt. Calum Andrews opened the account for Woodbridge,bustling through the KSE defence. His powerful and direct running led to a try under the posts. Hugo Kelleway converted for a 0-7 lead. KSE operated their kicking game but the Woodbridge back three worked well on the counter attack. Captain James Bellhouse capitalised upon a quick ruck, after Kieran Saxton side-stepped three defenders, to score in the centre for a 0-12 lead.
In the second half Woodbridge looked confident on the ball and enjoyed plenty of direct running, however one pass wrongly placed gifted an interception score to King’s against the run of the play. 7-12… but Woodbridge rallied immediately and James Brown scored under the posts after punching through the flat-footed King’s defence.
Woodbridge raised the tempo again and Hugo Kelleway ran in from his 22 to score under posts. By this point the game was drifting away from King’s, and Tom Lomas was the next to cross the line and score out wide after powering through the last line of defence.
Now there were gaps everywhere and Hugo Kelleway scored under the posts after a kick, chase and spin out of a final flailing tackle to complete a well-deserved 7-36 victory.
Congratulations to Harry Hobday on his first start and also to debutants Louis Alexander, Ben Harper and Ollie Bacon.
Time now for a Christmas break… with one eye on the next Cup game in the National Plate quarter finals in the new year.
Tries Andrews, Kelleway (2), Brown, Bellhouse, Lomas
Conversions Kelleway (2), Clogg
A young Team of Ada Marson (Year 6), Perdi Ludgrove (Year 6), Olivia Lubbock (Year 7) and Fleur Ludgrove (Year 8) really pulled together in the final round to take 2nd Place in the NSEA Plate 75cms Show Jumping Championships at the College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe, Bedfordshire on Saturday 3rd December.
After the first round the Team were lying in 6th position going into the final round. The course increased in complexity and went up in height to 80-85cms, but the young team of Woodbridge girls held it together to produce a steady clear from Perdi, a fast clear round for both Fleur and Ada, and an exceptionally fast round from Olivia who unfortunately knocked 2 poles resulting in 8 penalty points
.
The other teams suffered under the pressure and the Woodbridge Team ended up climbing through the ranks to finish 2nd Overall which was a fantastic achievement for all involved.
Fleur was also 2nd in the Santa Stakes competition earlier in the morning, and after the main Championship Finals, the girls were on a roll taking 3rd in the Eventers Challenge Qualifier with Fleur also awarded 6th place individually.
A superb way to finish an incredibly successful term for all Woodbridge School Riding Team members at Grass Roots, National Championship Finals and now Plate Championship Finals.
Miss Sanders reports: Three out of our four Cross Country teams travelled up to Liverpool on Friday 2nd December to compete in the ESAA XC National Cup competition. Departing Woodbridge School excitedly, the runners were looking forward to having a night away but it was evident they were anxious about the race the following day – especially as a number of runners had been off school ill during the week. Although every runner had done the hard work to get the Nationals, competing in the area and regionals rounds, they wanted to give it their all and do their best. Arriving in Liverpool, Mr Goddard and Mr Turner took the three teams for a quick jaunt (well, run) around the docks to stretch their legs, before we all headed out to Zizzi’s for a carb-filled dinner and birthday celebrations for Amy Graham.
Saturday morning arrived. All runners stocked up on breakfast as they knew they needed the energy for their race and we made our way to The Range School in Formby. Luckily, the weather was kind to us – although a little chilly with a bit of wind. After walking the course, the Inter girls were up first. With their numbers on and chips around their ankles, they were lined up in their pens and ready to go. We heard Woodbridge School mentioned on the loud speaker, the organisers explaining that Dr Challoner’s High School and we were the only two schools with three teams competing at the Nationals, which made it even more exciting. The start was difficult, with all 140 competitors trying to get to the front of the pack, but Sarah Barker managed to fight her way through. It was an anxious time waiting at the finish line to see Woodbridge vests cross, but finally they came in sight. With only the first four counting towards our final score, the other two runners knew they have to work hard to prevent the oppositions’ 3rd and 4th runners from getting a better placing. Finally our results were in, 10th (Sarah Barker), 33rd, 52nd & 96th, which put us 12th overall out of 24 teams. Well done!
The Junior boys were next – very excited and definitely up for their race! Again, waiting in their pens for the starting gun, the boys knew they had to work hard to ensure they got themselves in a good position at the start. All six got away well, and towards the front of the pack, and at the finish line, they crossed in great positions… top five perhaps?
While waiting for the Junior boys’ results to come through, as there had been some issues, the Junior girls were last to run and although anxious, they were all determined to do their best. All penned in and waiting in anticipation for the starting gun, the team looked ready. With Bea Thomas fighting her way through, along with Molly Marshall just behind, it looked promising. Finally the girls came through the finish line – shattered but glad it was all over.
Still no news for the Junior boys’ results… then the Junior girls’ came through – 52nd, 58th, 76th, & 99th, putting us 19th out of 24th, another great result. Well done!
Finally, the Junior boys’ results were in…. Not fifth, nor fourth, third or even second… We had come FIRST! We were National Champions (by just 1 point!)… what an extraordinary achievement. Placings were 14th (Charlie Turner), 22nd, 23rd, & 54th. The boys were ecstatic and couldn’t stop jumping around – tears were flowing too (from Miss Sanders mainly).
All three teams should be extremely proud of what they achieved on Saturday – just getting to Nationals is a superb achievement, but actually winning is just phenomenal. Bruce Andrews, Secretary of the Suffolk Schools Athletics Association, told Mr Goddard that as far as he is aware, no Suffolk School has ever even won a medal at the England Schools Cross Country Cup Finals, let alone gold!
Well done to all, and thank you so much to all the parents who travelled up to support. Special thanks, of course, to Mr Mark Goddard, whose coaching, dedication and belief enabled these runners to achieve.
Mr Graham and I had such a great time… Roll on next year!!
Runners:
Junior Girls: Molly Marshall, Bea Thomas, Amy Goddard, Isabelle Eaton, Cecily Royal-Dawson & Anna Jackson
Junior Boys: Charlie Turner, Henry Dinwiddy, Kit Evans Lombe, William Franklin, Edward Rufford & Thomas Turner
Inter Girls: Sarah Barker, Milly Buckingham, Amy Graham, Victoria Burrows, Sophie Graham & Charlotte Dinwiddy.
