Category: Sport
U14As
It has been a busy few weeks for the U14A team. Before half-term, they travelled to Ipswich High for one of their last league matches with only the bare 7. The girls knew this was going to be their toughest game yet as Ipswich High’s U14s had made it through to the Regional competition back in January. From the starting whistle, the girls cannot be faulted for how they approached the game with dedication, determination and want for the ball. Katy Garnett and Maddie Felton both had a storming game shooting and hardly missed, and Eleanor Berridge and Mollie Biddle kept the pressure on the opposition’s shooters. Zara Lye made her debut for the A team and played an absolute blinder – especially after feeling very anxious about playing! Chloe Outen and Flora Johnston played faultlessly in the centre court and supported their attackers superbly. Well done girls on an excellent performance – definitely the best of the season so far! Won 23 – 12
St Joseph’s game was a completely different story after half-term, as the girls did not want it as badly as the Ipswich High game. However, after a shaky start, with the ball being thrown away at every opportunity, we managed to regain our composure and begin to think about our movement both on and off the ball. Even after the opposition putting on a younger and more experienced player, to help their team succeed, our girls managed to hold it together and fight until the final whistle. Luckily we won – by 2 goals!! Won 11 – 9
A friendly match v St Felix, enabled us to include Florence Appell and Ella Sambrook into the mix. This was a scrappy game to begin with, but at half-time, the girls began to think about their dodging and passing down court, which enabled us to take control of the game. A good performance from all and whichever combination played, every one gave it their all. Well done! Won 21 – 9
U12As
The U12As have had an extremely busy few weeks with matches v Culford, The Abbey, Ipswich High and St Jo’s, not forgetting to mention the South Suffolk tournament too.
In our matches against Culford’s U12A & B teams, we showed superb team work and communication, enabling us to get away with a strong lead in the first half. Going into the 2nd half 6 – 0 up, the team knew they had to work hard to prevent Culford from scoring whilst trying to increase our score. At the final whistle, the girls knew they had achieved what they set out to do. Instead of playing South Lee’s U11A team, as this was arranged as a triangular, we played Culford’s U12B team. The team should be pleased with their performance – especially as positions were swapped around, enabling the girls to prove their worth on a netball court. v U12As Won 10 – 1 & v U12B Won 15 – 0
We knew the fixture v Ipswich High was going to be our toughest yet, so the girls warmed up and prepared themselves both physically and mentally. In the past, it has taken a quarter to get into the games we have been playing, but not on this occasion, we had to put in 100% from the starting whistle and the girls cannot be faulted for their grit and determination. Our movement down the court was not only superb, but effective and enabled us to lose our defenders, therefore keeping possession of the ball. An excellent team effort by all – and some of the best netball this team have played. With the score 6 – 6 at half time and 11 – 10 to us at the end of the 3rd quarter, the girls had to give everything they had in the last quarter to ensure we came away with a win. The ball was going from end to end, with a goal being scored every time. Finally, we managed to close IHS down and score on their centre, therefore going ahead by 1 goal. This was the crucial point as it made us realise we could win the game – and we did. Well done girls!! Won 16 – 12
After a successful Friday afternoon of netball against The Abbey, where the As won 22 – 4, even with every single girl playing a number of positions, including shooters, it was an early Saturday morning match v St Jo’s next on the agenda. The girls were in good spirits as they had had a successful week. Their performance cannot be faulted as they applied themselves in exactly the same way as the Ipswich High game and played some excellent netball. Preventing their opposition from scoring half was their target – which they achieved!! Well done!! Won 37 – 15
13 U16 hockey players represented Woodbridge at the regional qualifying tournament. With no time to train together as a team and only one substitute the team was prepared for a tough challenge. Woodbridge finished joint third on points but had to settle for fourth place due to goal difference. The school can be very proud of this group of players – their performances today and how they conducted themselves.
We started poorly the first half against eventual winners, The Leys. A much improved second half performance set the team up for the rest of the day despite losing this game heavily. Alfie Agar scored for Woodbridge after good linking between Hugo Kelleway and Oliver Whiting.
The second match against Greshams saw Woodbridge cause the first upset of the day. A very good team performance, and some important saves from Felix Kibble in goal, lead to a very exciting 0-0 draw. Fatigue started to set in but the boys dug deep and were unlucky to lose the third match against Watford 0-3. Watford scored two penalty strokes during this match and Woodbridge had several chances. A good performance from Woodbridge not being reflected in the scoreline.
The final match of the day was a scrappy affair. Woodbridge played the better hockey and dealt with the fatigue better than their opponents from Samuel Whitbread College. The players showing great character to win 1-0. Alfie Agar the scorer again.
It was very encouraging the improvement in skills, decision making and positional play throughout the day. Jasper Beaumont particularly impressed with how he took information on board and implemented it. James Meakin stepped into various positions during the day to good effect, possibly saving his best game for last. Tim Smith had good impact once we got more ball to his side of the pitch. Jack Grant lead by example and gave 100%, despite getting battered and bruised. Jakob Hatfield, Alex Farquharson and Will Pilkington were solid in defence stepping up their marking and distribution fantastically as the day progressed. Hugo Kelleway made an impressive return from injury being outstanding all day.
Forwards Oliver Whiting, Abraham Hew and Alfie Agar worked tirelessly and impressed with their work rate, especially in the press. Goalkeepers Miles Budden and Felix Kibble were kept busy and the stood up to the test well.
Player of the day: Hugo Kelleway.
Welcome to the East Anglian Prep Schools Cross Country Championships 2015.
The first team had a satisfactory 3-0 win over RHS. Verity Jackson found herself at the end of a well placed pass from Lorna Bennell and opened the scoring when she calmly slotted the ball past the left foot of the RHS keeper. A second goal was scored in the first half from a well executed short corner routine; Hermione Hatfield again touching the ball in in front of goal.
The defenders had to remain disciplined to deal with counter attacks. The second half saw Woodbridge keep possession of the ball much better. The team was rewarded for good support with one more goal. This time a well timed pass from Lorna Bennell found Imogen Craig in space and she confidently smashed it passed the goalkeeper to seal the match for Woodbridge.
Score: 2-1 to Culford
What a great game! The pace and skill from both teams was really good. Although Culford scored first Woodbridge scored a goal back by Vicky Williams with a close shot. All the squad were quick to close the game down and press the opposition with great determination. Culford scored a second goal in the second half but the game remained open right up to the final whistle, where Woodbridge had won a penalty corner in the last minute and a half of play- sadly it was not to be! Special mention must go to Sophie Little who played in goal from the U14 team and made several crucial saves. Well done to the whole team! Further matches this week on Thursday and Saturday so hopefully we can keep the momentum going.
Match won 29 – 19
This was a game played in biting conditions – and it would be fair to say that neither side played very attractive rugby but it was still highly physical and competitive. The game was balanced on a knife edge at 15-14 in Woodbridge’s favour for what seemed like an eternity before winger Anthony Yu touched down in the corner with five minutes to go. Rupert Clogg’s conversion then gave us some breathing room before we scored again in the dying seconds. Our other tries came from man-of-the-match Ben Crick (2), Sam Garrington and James Brown. Well done!
Match won 21 – 0
The boys all said this was their favourite game of the year and it was a fitting finale to an encouraging season. This was a very physical encounter and both sides were up for the battle. For once Woodbridge were not having to defend the entire time match and we were able to play more flowing rugby with ball in hand. We took the lead through tries from Sam Garrington and Will Petheram, which were expertly converted by Rupert Clogg. In the second half we found ourselves under huge pressure but we held out valiantly and then scored another converted try late on through Sam Garrington to secure our third win on the bounce. We ended the season with four wins in total which is amazing given some of the beatings we took early on. Well done to all who took part – hope you enjoyed the donuts!
The U13 girls enjoyed an afternoon of success at Framlingham last Monday. They managed to secure a place at the regionals on the 12th March by making the final of the county championships.
We started the tournament against a relatively disorganised yet skillful OBH side. We drew 1-1, with Emma Hendry scoring two minutes from the end to salvage two points.
Our second match came against a powerful/physical Brandeston team. This was a tensely fought battle that ended 0-0; both teams spurning late chances to win the game.
Our third game against Orwell Park was now a must win, as results in the second round placed us outside of the automatic qualifying spots. We played some brilliant hockey against a talented Orwell team; superb individual brilliance and (at last) clinical finishing finished the game 2-0 and placed us back at the top of the group.
Our final game of the group stages came against another talented Ipswich High School team. In another close game, a resilient defence and attacking pressure finally broke down the opposition as we won 1-0.
The semi-final saw us play an Ipswich School side that we had beaten 4-0 only days earlier. Once again, the girls did not disappoint and, with flashes of brilliance from Ianthe Hill (Yr 7) and Vicky Burrows (Yr 7), we took an unassailable 2-0 lead early on. The score finished 2-0.
In the final we played a South Lee team that possessed two of the strongest individuals at the tournament (one was player of the tournament). In a game that was dominated by Woodbridge, we nonetheless could not seem to find the goal or convert the chances. A strong hit from a short corner put South Lee in front. This score was to stay the same until the final whistle.
The girls must be hugely proud of the work they have achieved this season. Being unbeaten in the regular season matches and making it through to the regionals are both very impressive feats.
We now look forward to our final fixture against Ipswich High where, if we win, we would finish the season undefeated.
We also look forward to the 12th March where we play in the regional finals and, I believe, we have the quality and desire to progress to the Nationals.
Score: Won 3 – 0
The girls’ target (which they set themselves as a team) was to score at least one goal , as a number of their games had been no-score draws, so they were ready to prove themselves and put into practice everything they have learnt during the season. Within the first minute, Ella Sambrook scored our first goal, after superb play from our pushback. This definitely raised the team spirits and they were after more so didn’t give up for the whole game. Next, Rosa McInerney scored a brilliant goal from a short corner along with Lucy Appell popping a shot in from a rebound off the post. Every single player should be congratulated, as they worked tirelessly throughout the game. But especially to Rosa, Jemima Hill and Millie Cave who played for the U15B team straight after!! Well done girls…a brilliant performance from the whole team and many thanks to Amy Graham who stepped in to play the day before due to injuries and illness!!
This was a nail biting game and we started off brilliantly reacting to the Umpire’s whistle and had some early chances. However, it was RHS who took the lead from a short corner and we were behind. The rest of the first half could have gone either way but they scored another goal from a short corner about 5 minutes before half time. We wanted to focus on staying wide, chasing the ball and actually turning up for the game in the second half.
The appearance of the Headmaster encouraged the girls and we scored from Maddy Craig’s stick as a result of a short corner, game on! It was then all Woodbridge, great pressure from our mid field of Mia King, Mollie Biddle and Chloe Outen and there were some great passes between Flora Johnston, Maddy Craig and Maddie Felton. Mollie Bioddle converted a short corner which had resulted from some clever play by Mia King and we were drawing……. The final 10 minutes were so important but we kept the pressure on RHS and were awarded another short which Mollie and Flora were able to convert. FANTASTIC, AMAZING and very well done. Thank you to the Headmaster and all the parents who came to watch.