Category: Sport

We had our second game of the season against a good RHS team. Despite losing the toss, we dominated the first 10 minutes and kept RHS in their own half. However, we were unable to capitalise and RHS forced their way back into the match. Eventually, our diligent attacking paid off as Alex Weir-Simmons slotted home the ball in the right corner from the edge of the box assisted by Nathan Goddard. Through the remainder of the first half the teams were evenly matched. Neither side created any clear cut chances. As the second half started RHS came out all guns blazing scoring two goals in quick succession, both arriving from counter attacks down the right with the ball being moved into the centre before being put past our goalkeeper. However, as the half went on we forced our way back and scored an equaliser with Alex Weir-Simmons’ shot being deflected in at the back post by Danny Davies. Just after that goal RHS had a great chance of its own, but in a one on one situation with their right wing, Oliver Juzst made a great sliding save diving to his right and swiping the ball away. We finished the final 10 minutes on the attack just as we had started. Some great chances were created but we were unable to score leaving the game at a 2-2 stalemate. All in all, a good competitive match to continue our unbeaten start.

The game kicked off and Woodbridge was dominating having a few chances which sadly weren’t put away. Tom Benoist-Wilson with some great dribbling down the left wing almost created a great scoring opportunity but frustratingly the RHS player intercepted. About ten minutes into the game RHS scored a goal however confidence was still high after a good start. Tom Turner and Arthur Bartlett kept the score 0-1 with some great defending. The score stayed the same throughout the first half with Woodbridge still on top with chances falling to Tobias Juszt and Mauricio Corfe which forced some good saves out of their keeper.

The second half began and Woodbridge was quick of the mark but opportunities were difficult to convert. RHS won themselves a short corner and an unlucky deflection from Tobias sent the ball the opposite way to Giles Kellaway (Goalie) and into the bottom corner. From this point onwards heads started to drop and we conceded another 2 goals in quick succession. Some more excellent defending from Tom Turner kept the match at 0-4. Some great link-up play from Prem Pohl, Freddie Simpson and Tobias Juszt sadly ended in nothing. RHS went on to score one more goal just before the final whistle leaving the score 0-5. Hopefully we will learn from this defeat and improve for the games ahead. Player of the match goes to Prem Pohl.

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.