Category: Sport
Our Years 9/10 Intermediate girls’ Athletics team recently travelled to Woodside Stadium in Watford for the A Regional finals of the ESSA Track and Field Athletics event. The top 27 schools in East Anglia: our girls were put in a group with 11 others on the day, the twelve teams providing two competitors for each event. It meant that our girls were up against 22 of the best from East Anglia: it was going to be tough!. Special mention must go to Rosa McInerney whose birthday it was: she celebrated in style, coming away with the most points for the team with 41. She was placed 3rd in high jump and 11th in hurdles, a great achievement! Georgia Harrold was another to perform well: 4th in 100m and part of the relay team to finish on a score of 36. Chloe Outen achieved an excellent PB in the triple jump to be placed 6th and gained a combined score of 36. Maddie Craig scored 37 points from her hurdles and long jump. Others in the 30s were Flora Johnston on 31, Joanne Garnett on 32 (her high placing in discus gaining 21 points) and Ella Holliday on 32. It was a great team effort and a big thank you goes to those who stepped in to cover absence on the day. We wait for our final position in the competition, but reaching this standard is worthy of the profoundest congratulation. T Shirts have been ordered and will hopefully be here for the last day of term to mark this fantastic achievement: well done to all!
It’s fun dodging the rain… especially over the course of 90 miles or so! Barely a drop from above on our journey, despite the evidence of deluges before our arrival at various stages. And even a hint of warmth in the air around Ipswich.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Friday. Loading up and rolling out in minibuses and with trailers. Nervous anticipation. A fine curry at the Horseshoe in Clerkenwell (THANK YOU, Rob Madigan, landlord and friend of the ride, for making us so welcome and feeding us so deliciously). Speeches and exhortations. Back to the Bridge School (THANK YOU, Headteacher Penny Barratt for your inspiring words, for giving us a reason to succeed, and for your overnight hospitality). A difficult night’s sleep on the school floors – but it encourages the early rise! And then breakfast and a 7am departure, almost to the chimes of Big Ben.
Traffic – more each year – and a cool breeze kept us alert; luck kept us puncture free and so the first stop at Wells Park School field (THANK YOU, Wells Park, once again) came early. Chocolate, bananas, energy drinks. Then road, road, road (and, yes, a few punctures!) till lunch after 53 miles at Colne Engaine. And what a lunch, hosted by Mrs Spray, Mrs Streat and Rhiannon Humphreys – delicious hot drinks, all you could wish to eat to help towards the 8000+ calories the day would sap from us, and welcoming smiles. Bliss.
The afternoon is hard, but shorter – under forty miles of undulations (some, frankly, quite abrupt!) – but everyone finished with a big smile on their face and a drink soon in their hands (soft of course!), and by 6pm it was hot baths and deep sofas…
27 riders: six of them pupils (well, well done Owen Butcher, Adam Colbert (who sprinted here, there and everywhere helping people find their way and take the right turnings), George Cory, Will Pilkington, David Spray and Oliver Wroe); staff Mr Garvie, Miss George, Mr Patten, Dr Rickard and me; three OWs Ally, Molly and Cameron; parents Steve, Ed, Sharon, Jenny, Sarah, Amanda, Gary, Paul and Toby; Bridge School parents John and John; and friends John and David. And on the support side Mr and Mrs Hillman, Mr Jackson, Mr Spray, Mr Turner and the lunchtime team.
Brilliant! Support us now if you haven’t already!
https://www.justgiving.com/teams/SpinForTheBridge16 has some of us, so find a name you know!
Many congratulations to Adam Colbert who continues to make strong progress in the gruelling world of road racing. His latest triumph was in the 88km Abberton Road Race at Colchester, as part of the eastern region Road league on Sunday 5 June. Racing predominantly against experience adults he finished in a very impressive fourth place overall (behind two adults and one under 23), and fastest junior, out of the sixty or so riders who took to the course. Brilliant work.
U12 v Holmwood House
On a very clement May day the Woodbridge u12s travelled in buoyant mood to Holmwood House. Woodbridge won the toss and backed themselves with the bat. Scoring in the early overs was steady with Tom Harper and Seb Gifford looking at ease at the crease, and after an acceleration when the second string bowlers came on Woodbridge were on a very healthy 63 for no wicket after 10 overs. After Seb Gifford was unfortunately run out on 26 the whirling blade of Will Franklin came to the crease and the runs continued to flow. Tom Harper retired on an outstanding 50 and Woodbridge closed their innings on 173 for 3 from their 25 overs. With the luxury of healthy runs on the board we were able to throw the ball around and give everyone a bowl – exactly the right thing to do at this level. Jack Christey and Reace Figaji ended up with figures of 1 for 4 and 1 for 13 respectively, while Will Franklin’s pace was always a threat (2 for 34). A good team performance was sealed with run-outs from Tom Turner and Kit Evans Lombe as Woodbridge emerged victors by 11 runs. In truth we were always in control of this match and the boys played with great spirit and determination.
U13A v Colchester Grammar
A victory for the under thirteens away at Colchester on a cold Saturday morning was truly deserved.
A few new faces had joined the team (the match reporter cites absenteeism, marriages, births, bar mitzvah…. and other equally valid reasons). Nevertheless, a happy minibus made the journey out of sunny Suffolk into miserable Essex with a cargo of hope, ambition, belief and very expensive cricketing paraphernalia.
The toss was won and Captain Charles Tetley, after considering the imminent possibility of rain, sleet and snow interfering with back-to-back wins made the wise decision to field first.
Excellent bowling by Woodbridge was the order of the day. Jack Leith was first to strike but, with five wickets and the match ball swiftly and securely in his metaphorical pocket (zipped away in a rather nice bag), Alfie Franklin had found a cloud to be on (five for just 8 to boot). Colchester all out for 51.
The realisation of back-to-back wins was complete (by four wickets) after Harry Rennell (17*) and Captain Charles (19) had made certain that Alfie would have a badly battered ball to take back to Sunny Suffolk.
U14 v RHS
At the end of last half term Woodbridge U14 battled hard to beat RHS by 3 runs in a thrilling 25 over affair.
Woodbridge batted first and started cautiously: George Barker commenced his man of the match performance with 30 runs off 47 balls, and was partnered at the wicket for most of the overs by captain Daniel Davies who guided the team through the remaining overs unbeaten on 38. Unfortunately three quick wickets left Woodbridge with a defendable target of 98 for six, but one a little lower than they would have liked. The bowling and fielding would have to be up to scratch.
The RHS innings seemed to carry a very similar feel to the Woodbridge one with scores constantly within a run or so of each other throughout all the overs. The RHS no. 6 started to pile on the pressure with an unbeaten 38 but great bowling by George Barker (3wkts), Daniel Davies (2 wkts), Oliver Juszt (2 wkts) and Nathan Goddard (1) constantly kept RHS in check. Two great run outs, one by George Barker and the other by Nathan Goddard were also influential in the overall victory. The final two overs saw RHS needing 7 to win but a great penultimate over from Daniel put the pressure back on RHS, now needing 6 to win. Nathan bowled excellently and took the 10th RHS wicket with a great run out and one ball to spare. A deserved win after a few close games lost in the final few overs. A great team effort that all should be proud of.
Woodbridge v MCC
MCC 168 all out (Callum Askins 5 for 62 off 13 overs, Ben Harper 2 for 6).
MCC elected to bat in lovely conditions. The opening bowlers started tightly, and restricted the run flow. Just as the opening stand got going Oliver Whiting made the break through. A superb spell from Callum Askins saw him pick up 2 quick wickets which was followed by debutant Ben Harper, taking 2 wickets in his first over for 1st team. The 1st team were superb and the first time in living memory that we have bowled the MCC out. Unfortunately at the change of innings play was stopped due to hail, sleet and snow and the match was abandoned.
U13A v RHS
The U13A rounders team had an excellent match against RHS yesterday. The Woodbridge girls fielded first and kept RHS to 4 ½ rounders thanks to excellent bowling by Vicky Burrows and superb fielding from the deeps including some very impressive catching by Eleanor Pilkington. In the first batting innings the Woodbridge girls managed to alter the direction of their hits effectively and most of the girls scored at least one rounder each, and 10 in total. In the second innings the Woodbridge girls manage to keep RHS to 4 ½ rounders again. Ianthe Hill worked hard at second post and managed to get four girls out thanks to quick fielding by Neve Walker and Sophie Graham. Eleanor carried on as before in the second innings, catching seven players out in total. In bat the Woodbridge girls continued to hit the ball high but unfortunately the RHS girls had moved further out and so took five catches. The combination between backstop and first post was also strong and a further 3 Woodbridge girls were stumped out. Finally Victoria Burrows was last man standing with 3 balls to go, narrowly missing the chance for a final rounder. Saffron Holliday and Emma Trebilcock should also be commended for their excellent strike rate. Woodbridge won the match 19 ½ -9.
U13B v RHS
The U13B rounders team had an excellent game at home against RHS, where they went out fighting from the beginning. Charlotte Bowers’s bowling was faultless and prevented the opposition from attacking the ball hard. Minnie Wayman played superbly on 2nd post and was quick to receive the fielded ball and stump the post. In bat, Verity Hobday made contact every time and scored a rounder from each. Lily Craig had a blinder too where she scored 1½ rounders off one ball. After the first innings, Woodbridge were leading 9 – 3. The second innings really showed the team at its best; not only in terms of batting, but also in fielding. They worked perfectly in harmony, communicating with each other and ensuring they were putting the opposition under pressure. Every player made contact with the ball and managed to score either a ½ or rounder off their ball. Final result 20 – 6½. A superb effort by all – well done!
Our under fourteens are celebrating their success at the recent South Suffolk U14 Rounders Tournament (hosted at Woodbridge), finishing as silver medallists from amongst the twelve in the competition, and thereby earning qualification for the County round, alongside fellow finalists Ipswich High.
It all started with three pool games: RHS – victory by 4 – 1½: great rounders scored by Harriet Petley, Freya Huxley (with an injured arm!), Joanne Garnett and Sarah Barker. Katie Bye took a stunning catch and there was some slick fielding by Harriet, Poppy Fletcher and Maud Peel; Stoke High – victory by 8-2 with almost all the team scoring and everyone fielding expertly; and East Bergholt B – victory by 11- 1½ with lots of excitement and Harriet and Freya scoring 2½ rounders each.
The three wins earnt a place in the semi-finals against Ipswich School. It was a close match with both teams trying to close the game down quickly. The fielding was intense and the pressure led to careless mistakes in the Ipswich bowling which gave Woodbridge 1½ rounders to beat (Katie Bye should be commended for her bowling in Sarah Barker’s absence). Then our girls hit some fabulous shots with Amy, Harriet, Joanne and Katie placing the ball far across the field. Woodbridge won the match convincingly 5-1½ .
The final against Ipswich High was fiercely contested: our girls fielded brilliantly, despite the opening ball which caused total confusion, and kept Ipswich High to 5 rounders. Up at bat, Woodbridge played well but could not quite get the ball over the Ipswich High girls’ heads so only managed to build a score in ½-rounders (though Harriet did manage to hit the ball over to the cricket pavilion!). Our girls fought to the end, but at the close had to settle for defeat by the narrowest of margins: 4½ to 5.
ROWING
It’s another pot for Oliver Wroe! This time at Peterborough Spring Regatta: with Deben Rowing Club teammate Jamie Goodwyn he won the J16 double sculls by some 13 seconds (a good three lengths or more), and then followed this up with a fine second place in the J16 single sculls. Impressive work.
OLLIE ON THE WATER…
Many congratulations to Oliver Wroe, who with his doubles partner Jamie Goodwyn, competed recently at Eton Dorney (home to the 2012 Olympics) in the National Schools Rowing Regatta. His event was the championship doubles for the best under 18 scullers in the country, so competition was intense. The 63 crews first raced a time trial to separate them into a series of mini-finals; Oliver and Jamie’s 7-lane final later in the day was a thrilling race which they led from the start to win by a length. Their finishing time put them 29th overall, a magnificent effort for boys with two more years to improve.
AND MINNIE IN THE WATER…
And many congratulations to Minnie Wayman who competed at the East Region swimming championships in Luton last weekend. She qualified 6th fastest for the 200 back final, eventually finishing 8th, and followed this up with 11th in the 200 fly, 12th in the 100 back and 12th in the 50 back narrowly missing the final in all these events. More impressively still, she achieved good personal bests in all her swims and made real progress from last year. Now keener than ever, she is already looking forward to next year.
REGIONAL ATHLETICS
Good luck to the following athletes who have been selected to represent Suffolk at the Anglian Schools’ athletics competition on 19 June at UEA, Norwich:
800m – Amy Graham
1500m – Sarah Barker & Nathan Goddard
Shot – Oliver Juszt
Discus – Alex Weir-Simmons, Sophie Graham, Joanne Garnett & Laura Graham
Javelin – Sophie Graham & Laura Graham
High Jump – Rosa McInerney
300m Hurdles – Maddie Craig
3000m – Connor Grant
400m & Long Jump – William Joannès
COUNTY ATHLETICS
There was all to play for in the second round of the Year 7 Athletics County Competition, with the top two of the schools participating qualifying for the county finals. every point mattered boys finished second in the first round so knew they had to work hard. They had some excellent wins from Mauricio Corfe in the A hurdles race, John Hendry 200m A , and both relay teams, Tom and Charles Turner, Mauricio and John (A team), and William Franklin, Chester Wigzell, Thomas Harper and Mak Zie (B team). Frustratingly, though, it all proved in vain, the team’s 79 points leaving them in third place by just four points.
The girls gained impressive revenge, however, winning with 106 points ahead of Kesgrave in second on 101 (both qualifying for the County Finals). Issy Eaton won the A 100m in 13.6s (one to look out for on Sports Day!) and also won the B long jump, Olivia Buchanan won the A javelin, Ella Walker the A high jump, Jo Dunmore the B 100m, and the B relay team of Jessica Elmer, Eleanor Wright, Olivia, and Molly Marshall also won.
We wait to find out when the Year 7 county finals will be held as the proposed dates clash with the ESSA Track and Field Regional Finals in Allianz Park. We do know, though, that the Year 9 County finals are 27 June, the Year 9/10 team are at the Regionals on 20 June, and the Year 7/8 are at the Regionals on 22 June. Busy times!
YEARS 5, 6, 7 & 8 ATHLETICS REPORT
Sophie Graham set a new event record at the Bedford Preparatory Schools Athletics, throwing the javelin 37.25m in the girls U14 event and qualifying for the Nationals in Birmingham on the 4 July. She went on to win the discus as well with Annabel Yates placed second (first and second placed competitors all go to the nationals). Most events had about thirty competitors with fifty schools present. Olivia Buchanan won the U13 javelin to also qualify. Archie Shelley-Taylor came second in the discus. Ella Walker had a great day and jumped a personal best in high jump of 1.35 which was the winning height and she was placed second on count back.
On the track it was just as exciting. With three heat races to reach the finals in the sprint races, Isabelle Eaton won her heat in 100m and went on to be placed second in the final. John Hendry won his heat in 200m and then went on to win the final. Our boys relay team of Daniel Norman, Hugo Thomas, John Hendry (unfortunately Nathaniel Gunn was unable to come on the day) and Tom Turner who stepped in, came second in the finals. Both Amy Goddard and Henry Dinwiddy had to settle for third place in their 1500m races, where excellent PB’s were achieved in a very large competitive field.
So ten pupils qualifying for the Nationals and as always a special thanks goes to Mr Graham and Mr Goddard for their super coaching.
Congratulations to Mollie Biddle, Joshua Graves, Georgia Harrold, Oliver Juszt, Sophie Little, Hugo Thomas and Alex Weir-Simmons and who have all been selected into their respective final Suffolk JRPC age group teams, and to Mia and Myles King for selection into their final Norfolk JRPC teams.
U15 Girls
The U15A girls’ team may have been beaten by Framlingham but was by no means outplayed. Harriet Petley won her singles conformably, after also playing a two-hour match earlier in the day. Amy Graham battled in a long set but one service break saw her lose it 3-6, and both Flora Johnston and Julia Schwab rallied well but had to submit to more experience opponents. The young U15B team, featuring Saffron Holliday, Annabel Yates and Minnie Wayman, also had a tough yet very entertaining fixture against Framlingham’s B team, playing some outstanding points and close games.
U15A Boys
The U15A boys played a very exciting and nail-biting league fixture against St Joseph’s College, winning 7-6. All was level after the 6 rubbers; both teams winning three each, thanks to a singles win by Oriol Valsells, and doubles victories by pairs Eden Wigzell / Oliver Bacon and Charlie Garnham / Oriol Valsells. Oliver and Charlie set out in the doubles shoot-out tie-break in an attempt to seal the tie for Woodbridge, and provide entertainment for the spectators. They did not disappoint and won the shoot-out 10-7.
U15B Boys
U15B Boys lost narrowly by 8-4 to Hartismere in the AEGON league. James Martin and Seb Lamb played good tennis in their singles, despite losing to higher rated players. Charlie Mayhew and Sam Bryant started well for Woodbridge, winning their doubles 6-3, and Sam then went on to win his singles 6-0.
A few days earlier, Woodbridge played some of the most fun and entertaining tennis of the term, taking on St Felix on their grass courts. The players did remarkably, playing on slightly slippery surface with inconsistent, and at times surprising, bounce. This meant there were plenty of slippery and sliding shots and diving returns. Despite not being able to make a dent into the final score line, the Woodbridge boys enjoyed the experience, having loads of fun in their matches. James Martin and Seb Lamb played one of the most entertaining sets of the term, losing 6-7 in a tie-break, and providing much to applaud to those watching.
U13A Boys
The U13A team finished a busy term of tennis in the AEGON league with a tough fixture against St Joseph’s College. The players competed well but could not match the power and accuracy from their opponents. Some fantastic tennis was on show, as the high rated St Joseph’s players pushed our players to perform at their best.
U13B Girls
The girls’ U13B team outplayed their opponents from Hartismere, winning the tie 12-0. Clara Simpson and Molly Marshall started off well, winning their doubles 6-0, while Ella Walker (6-3) and Olivia Buchanan (6-1) both won their singles. Molly and Clara continued the good run by winning their singles 6-0 and 6-3 respectively. Ella and Olivia finished off a clean sweep, winning their doubles 6-4.
U13B Boys
The U13B boys played a very competitive fixture against Hartismere, but had to settle for defeat in the end. The doubles matches provided the highlights of the day, with the boys showing good teamwork and playing some quality games. Hugo Anderson and Freddie Simpson teamed up, just losing 4-6. Jack Christey and Kit Evans Lombe also had to settle for the same score-line playing some quality shots along the way. Freddie Simpson showed good endurance wearing down his opponent in his singles match, and he finally won 6-4.