Category: Sport
Won 41-24
In their final game of the season the 1st XV were desperate to sign off with a win.
Woodbridge started up hill and were keen for a speedy start. With captain Rob Smith at scrum half, King’s Ely were put under pressure straight from the whistle. Smith stole the ball from a scrum and executed a great kick over the top of the King’s Ely defence. James Bellhouse scored from close range for 5-0. George Win then broke through the King’s Ely line and scored, with Ben Felton converting for 12-0. Bellhouse broke through the backline again and ran the length of pitch to score. Felton converted, making it a great start for Woodbridge- 19-0.
Pressure on the Woodbridge 5m line resulted in a King’s Ely catch and drive, bringing the score to 19-5. A few missed tackles proved costly as Kings stormed through to score. Woodbridge lost the ball in attack, and King’s Ely’s fly-half scored out wide to bring the score to 19- 12.
Woodbridge rallied and were back on the offensive. but still having to defend hard, and managed to push Kings out in the corner. The injured Captain Smith then slotted a long range penalty from the King’s Ely 10m line to sign off and leave the field. 27-12 at half time.
Woodbridge knew they had to impose their game plan. Tom Innes came on for Smith at scrum half, eager to continue the good distribution. After great work from Matt Sutton and George Williams, James Bellhouse secured his hat-trick. Felton converted from the touchline, bringing the score to 34-12.
Woodbridge were pinned back on their line and great defence led to King’s Ely making errors and missing opportunities. Charlie Butt cleared the ball from deep in the Woodbridge half, and gained a knock on from King’s Ely’s unfortunate full back. From the scrum, Bellhouse sprinted from the half way marka nd scored his fourth try. Felton converted, making it 41-12 with the final ten to play. The final play of the game brought a 41-24 score line. A great way for 7 year 13 stalwarts of Woodbridge Rugby to take their final bow.
Will Farthing, Felix Longbon, Frazer McKee, Charlie Butt, Rob Smith, Sam Stowe, Freddie Garnham. Thank you and your parents for all that you have given over the years.
Result: Win 4-1
The Junior 2 hockey team played a highly competitive match against RHS. Woodbridge came out on top winning 4-1. The first half was end to end with both teams having opportunities to score. Beth Turner was up to the test in goal when RHS broke through, making numerous important saves during the match. Lack of composure in the circle from Woodbridge meant that the score remained at 0-0 at half time.
During the second half Woodbridge managed to transfer play more effectively, creating more space and moving the RHS defence. This very quickly resulted in more scoring opportunities. Captain Emily Buchanen was rewarded for her work up and down the pitch when she shot from the left for the ball to sneak into the far corner of the goal to open the scoring.
Katherine Bye made a welcome return to the team after injury, starting off in her usual defensive position. In the second half she tested the waters up front and what a revelation she turned out to be. She controlled possession that came her way, passing the ball and repositioning. Katherine scored a hat-trick in 10 minutes calmly finishing passes into her in the D!
Charlotte Dinwiddy and Sarah Barker had very good performances in defence, making important tackles and marking very well. Charlotte provided a player of the match performance, showing good decision making, distribution and making crucial tackles and interceptions.
Player of the match: Charlotte Dinwiddy
After the one minute silence, the scene was set for a great game of open rugby on a very wide pitch. Woodbridge were on the back foot after early pressure from the Colchester 9 with a searing break. Only a great tackle by a George Williams saved the day. Woodbridge cleared their lines but were caught off side. 3-0 to Colchester.
Further pressure and another penalty but it was pushed wide. Unfortunately from a missed touch, Colchester put Woodbridge under pressure.
Woodbridge then started to string some good phases together; Will Farthing bulldozed through, and through slick backline passing Matt Sutton wriggled over, giving Woodbridge a 3-5 lead. Unfortunately, Colchester responded with a catch and drive, but the secondary drive punched a hole from close range giving them a try (8-5).
Unfortunately Woodbridge lost Ben Morgan with an elbow injury and George Cory came on. Colchester scored another well worked try, starting out wide and then winning the race for a clever in-field kick, giving a 13-5 score line. A further Colchester penalty followed by half time with the score poised at 16 -5.
Woodbridge started the second half well, but their early pressure unfortunately came to no reward.
Woodbridge were penalised for crossing in back line, and were subsequently pinned back into their own 22. This resulted in a soft try from fumble and regain under posts. 23-5. A further score from a 5m lineout and catch and drive put Colchester in a commanding 28-5 lead. A further counter attack into the Woodbridge 22 allowed Colchester to power over for a try under posts 35-5. As ever Woodbridge did not give up heart, and from the kick off the ball was stolen by Cherryman and he scored near posts and Robert Smith converted for 35-12. Smith soon was in the fray again with a great jackal, and Sam Stowe won the race for ball to score. At 35-19 Woodbridge, continued to pressure but lost the ball in the Colchester 22 and with that the chance to reduce the deficit any further.
On 14th October Will Morcombe came third in the English Schools’ Golf Association Suffolk Schools’ Championship played at Hintlesham with a 2 over par gross 73.
Will has been selected for the county under 18 squad and starts winter training in November.
Congratulations Will!
Woodbridge girls 1st hockey team showed great character in defeat against Wymondham this week. Woodbridge’s match preparation was not ideal, having only limited time for warm-up and drills. However this did not deter the players and they started the match seemingly the stronger team. Captain, Lorna Bennel, leading from the front and opening the scoring with some good elimination skills and strike at goal.
Woodbridge was a bit naive in defence at times, allowing Wymondham too much space and time in dangerous areas. Despite a player-of-the match performance from goalkeeper Eloise Mabey, Wymondham scored three goals.
Woodbridge’s second goal was a good team effort with the forwards combining well. Olivia Woodmansee was again in the right place at the right time, calmly putting away the rebound from the initial save. Olivia nearly levelled the match at the death, her attempt going just over the cross bar. Woodbridge may have been awarded a penalty stroke and Perhaps this chance could have levelled the scores. Having to settle for a penalty corner, the team kept pushing for the equaliser but was beaten to it by the final whistle.
Despite the loss, the team can take confidence from their performance. Many chances were created, players played well in different positions, and the work rate cannot be faulted.
Thanks to the parents who made the trip to Wymondham to support the team.
Final score: Wymondham 3 Woodbridge 2