Category: Sport

The Junior 1 hockey team played some excellent hockey at the U13 County Cup this week.  Unfortunately the team started slowly against OBH, being ill-disciplined in defence allowing OBH to receive the ball with only the goalie to beat. Despite the best efforts from Alfie Franklin the team went 1-0 down. Jack Leith drew the scores level with a well taken team goal. But again the defence in the D let the team down, missing tackles and eventually a scramble goal resulted.  Not enough time in the short tournament format matches to come back, Woodbridge had to settle for a 1-2 loss.

Next up was RHS.  Woodbridge played the better hockey and was rewarded with two good goals by Charlie Eaton and Jack Leith. Alfie Franklin had some work to do in goal, as again the defence was a bit scrappy at times. But Alfie was up to the test. The RHS goalkeeper played a great game and kept the score respectable. 2-0 to Woodbridge.

Woodbridge completely outplayed Culford in the 3rd pool game, and did everything right, except for scoring.  Someone had put clingfilm around the goal and the Culford goalkeeper stopped every shot, and was also helped by defenders clearly balls off the line.  A near perfect team performance from Woodbridge but luck was just not on our side when it came to converting the many chances.

Next up was a crunch game against Ipswich, who had been dominating every opponent so far.  The Woodbridge boys were not to be intimidated and took the game to Ipswich.  The team played to the tactics and this time also defended with all it had. Alfie Franklin was a clear player of the match, making countless saves and keeping Woodbridge in it.  Woodbridge built play up patiently and created some chances and forcing saves from the Ipswich GK.  Finally a set of passes was just too much for Ipswich to deal with and Sam Betteridge slotted in a decisive goal.

With 4 minutes left to go, Ipswich threw everything at the team, but the defences stood strong.  Everyone played to their best and the final whistle went 1-0 to Woodbridge.

Unfortunately Woodbridge had to settle for third in the pool, finishing below the two eventual finalists, and the only team to beat the champions on the night.

Well played to all the boys and thanks to the parents for great support.

On Sunday 24 January at The Jays Stud, Bury St. Edmunds, the hotly-contested NSEA Qualifier to represent Suffolk at the Cortaflex National County Championships took place.

Classes started with a warm-up class of 60cm and then the first of the qualifier classes at 70cm.

In each class the highest placed Suffolk individual rider and the highest placed Suffolk-based school team would qualify for the class Championships to be held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre on 23-24 April 2016.

Woodbridge School fielded a young team of riders for both the 60cm and 70cm classes.

The team produced confident clear rounds to win the 60cm with the youngest team member, Ada Marson (10yrs) on her 13.2hh pony, Rolly Rascal, winning the class individually.

With one member change, the team then contested the 70cm.

12 teams and 42 individuals contested the class; drawn to ride late in the class the Woodbridge team had seen some fast rounds already posted.

Ada went first and produced an excellent clear with tight turns to take the lead. A further two members (Olivia Brown & Francesca Aitchison) also went clear.

After a nail-biting wait to the end of the class the results announced a 3rd place for the team, missing qualification by one place, and a WIN for Ada Marson and Rolly Rascal qualifying them to represent Suffolk and Woodbridge School at the NSEA Cortaflex National County Championships.

Olivia Brown on Ashley Challenger was placed 6th.

Ada and Rolly Rascal will now travel to Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Bedfordshire, in April for the Championships.

60cm team: Ada Marson, Olivia Brown, Olivia Lubbock and Oliver Reid

70cm team: Ada Marson, Olivia Brown, Olivia Lubbock and Francesca Aitchison

one place, and a WIN for Ada Marson and Rolly Rascal qualifying them to represent Suffolk and Woodbridge School at the NSEA Cortaflex National County Championships.

Olivia Brown on Ashley Challenger was also placed 6th.

Ada and Rolly Rascal now will travel to Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Bedfordshire, in April for the Championships.

60cm Team: Ada Marson, Olivia Brown, Olivia Lubbock and Oliver Reid
70cm Team: Ada Marson, Olivia Brown, Olivia Lubbock and Francesca Aitchison

Many congratulations to Felix Kibble and Hugo Kelleway who have just been selected to represent Northampton Saints Academy at the Wellington U16 tournament over Easter.

This is the main tournament that forms the selection process for England U16s.

Felix and Hugo have worked extremely hard on their individual skills and Felix especially must be commended as he has only just been moved to a new position, so to be selected for this tournament is an excellent achievement.

Many congratulations to James Meakin, who has been appointed by the Suffolk Hockey Umpires Association to umpire at the U14 and U16 Boys County Cup competitions.  James also plays for the School’s 1st hockey team.

Many congratulations to Myles King and the U18 Harleston Magpies Indoor Hockey Super 6s team who took the national title on Sunday at Nottingham Trent University. Having played dynamic and highly skilled hockey over the two days, the team remained unbeaten over its 4 pool matches. Determined, focussed and with the title match in sight, the team went on to win the semi-final, meaning it was to face Beeston Hockey Club in the final, who represent the Midlands and has 5 England capped players on its team.

Taking the lead and playing superbly efficient quality hockey ensured a National Final final score of Magpies 3 – Beeston 1 & the national title.

Sunday 17 January 2016
On a lovely sunny day at Newton Hall the Woodbridge school team enjoyed competing in the Inter School Trot pole and Jumping Competition. The Trot Pole Team consisted of Maddy Ayres, Zoe Newman and Sophia Waterer with Ella Reynard competing individually. The team performed well and achieved second place overall and individually Ella was placed 1st with Maddy 3rd and Sophia 6th.

In the 55cm jumping competition Show Jumping the team consisted of Lolly Brown (1st), Eve Marson, Ada Marson (3rd) , Olivia Lubbock (5th), Grace Childs(2nd) and Maddy Ayres (4th). This resulted in a resounding victory for the combined Woodbridge & Abbey Junior Team.

In the 60cm Show Jumping Woodbridge were represented by Olivia Lubbock, Ada Marson, Lolly Brown, Lily Waterer and Grace Childs. Once again all competitors rode exceptionally well with Ada Marson claiming 1st place with a speedy jump off and Olivia Lubbock and Grace Childs picking up 5th and 6th respectively. To crown the successful day of show jumping, Lolly Brown and Ada Marson stayed on to compete in the 70cm round and were placed 3rd and 4th respectively. Another good day in the area for our young riders. Let’s not forget the great support from parents. Well done all!

We are fortunate at Woodbridge to have many talented sportspeople, none more so perhaps than in hockey.  Both Suffolk and Norfolk have recently announced their JAC squads (Junior Academy Centre) for the coming season and Woodbridge School is well represented in all age groups.  Congratulations to Myles and Mia King who are in the Norfolk U17 and U15 squads respectively; and to the following who have been selected for the Suffolk squads: Emma Harrington (U17), Mollie Biddle, Georgia Harrold, Maud Peel, Maddie Craig, Sophie Little, Georgia Harrold and Harriet Spence (all U15); Ianthe Hill (U14); Molly Marshall and Annabel Yates (both U13); Toby Stowe, Alex Weir-Simmons and Oliver Juszt (U15 boys, Alex and Oliver are both playing a year up); and Joshua Graves and Hugo Thomas who will be flying the Woodridge School flag for the U14 boys.

We are very proud of these players who have put in many hours of hard work, not only at school but also at club level.

As for this weekend, we send our very best wishes to Myles King, who will be representing Harleston Magpies U18 boys at the National Indoor Finals at Nottingham Trent University.  This will be a fantastic experience, playing top quality hockey.

Mr Simpson reports: Firstly Congratulations to all students who represented Woodbridge School at Culford on a day of appalling weather (so much so that at one stage the school Gazebo blew away and only the sharp hands of a few parents saved the shelter!).

Despite the wind, rain, sleet and hail all our runners competed to the best of their ability and there were some excellent results. The course was extremely muddy, making for difficult running and some very exhausted athletes at the finish.
This was the latest of the English Cross Country Qualifying rounds and only the top 12 in each section are guaranteed to go through to the next stage to represent the county, so the stakes were high and commitment equally so.
Nathan Goddard (Year 9) and Kit Evans Lombe (Year 7) must receive a special mention as they finished 1st and 3rd respectively, with Nathan leading from start to finish in his race.
Bea Thomas, Amy Goddard and Henry Dinwiddy also earn high praise for finishing in the top 12 of their race a year under age! An exceptional achievement, showing what potential each of them has.
A full breakdown of the results follows. (Students in italics have qualified for the next round of the competition)

Finally I would like to thank all the parents who braved the artic conditions to support on the day, and I would especially like to thank Mark Goddard who spent the day warming up the students and running the courses with them.

Many congratulations to Arthur Bartlett who has qualified for the British Alpine Championships in Tignes (during the Easter Holidays) thanks to his excellent performance at the Anglo Scottish Championships.

Any of our parents and skiers (not just junior trippers) may like to join the pre-meeting ‘shop opportunity’ at the forthcoming junior ski trip meeting.  Tuckwell Room 6.45 on Tuesday 19 January with Top Gear/Surfanic.  Top Gear is an independent, family run business and has been providing ski wear into schools for over 30 years; Surfanic International design and manufacture leading edge ski/snowboarding clothing and accessories.  The partnership offers excellent school discounts on outstanding ski and snowboarding wear as well as expert advice and a reliable service.