Fast and Furious Matches for Girls’ Hockey – Sep 2026
The Girls’ Hockey Season is now in full swing with matches coming fast and furious. Last week saw four teams competing, learning and improving, while the U14A team already showed their progress with their match after School against Ipswich High School on Monday.
The 1st and 2nd Senior teams kicked off their season against Norwich High School, as has become tradition, travelling to the trusty Magpies to meet at a neutral venue. The second team got off to a great start which allowed new coach, Mrs Flatt, to rotate players into various positions to maximise experience and learning. Year 11’s Eirrann started this season as she finished the last, scoring goals galore – four on the day! Year 11’s Grace scored a further goal for Woodbridge, while Year 11 goalkeeper, Bay, had to stay alert when called upon to make important saves and keep the clean sheet. Year 11’s, Ella was named Player of the Match.
The 1st team started brightly and dominated the early exchanges looking to go ahead early. This was not to be, however, and it was Norwich High School who scored against the run of play with one of their first visits to our D. Woodbridge bounced back quickly with a nice penalty corner goal from the injector, Year 11’s Eve, assisted by Year 11’s Amelie. Year 13’s Aurelia scored a great far post deflection, with the target ball supplied by Year 11’s Jemima after a quick free hit. This levelled the scores again following Norwich High’s second goal. The opposition scored two more goals in the half which Woodbridge School could have and would look to avoid in future.
The team was frustrated to be behind but also realised they needed to reduce unforced errors to take and keep the upper hand in matches. This was done better in the second half, and Woodbridge could walk away with the mental victory, winning the second half 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Year 11’s Eve. This time the telling pass was supplied by Year 13’s Vice-Captain, Bea. Bea was instrumental throughout, winning the ball the press, distributing and eliminating well and communicating information excellently. Captain, Year 13’s Charlie, also led from the front with endless running and skills. Year 12’s Amelie proved impactful as forward, leading the line to win ball and create chances.
The team may feel this was a missed opportunity to get a much sought-after win against this opponent. But the process and the one goal difference in a seven-goal thriller was a marked improvement on the 0-6 loss last season – just showing the learning transferred by the senior players, being able to play at the right pace from the get-go. Well done to all and good luck for the season ahead.
It was great to welcome so many debutants too: Year 12s’ Ruby and Carolin, and Year 11’s Jemima D and Tabby; with Year 11’s Annabelle and Jemima B having made debuts last season.
All Year 9 Hockey players were out playing for the U14A and U14B teams who played their first 11-a-side matches against Culford. We are grateful to Culford for stepping in after our original opponents had to cancel.
U14A dominated their game with better skill and structure but was caught on the counter with one-on-ones against the keeper twice in the first half. This was the hard way to learn that certain passes just can’t be given in key areas of the pitch, and as one progresses up the age groups speed of decision making has to be quicker. After some key ‘must do’ instructions were delivered in the half-time team talk from Mr Brous, the players adapted well and learned fast, and were dominant in the second half. They did everything right to create attacks up the right and find the forwards, Katherine and Eva being particularly effective giving height and making good leads. Grace moved into defence with confidence and impacted things well. Vice-Captain Martha was influential throughout and a real playmaker and threat. The goals just didn’t come as Woodbridge was denied by excellent goalkeeping by the Culford Goalie.
The U14B team travelled to Culford, where they had a baptism of fire so to speak in their first match. At the end of the first half the team set process goals, which they achieved. They defended much better and also scored what Miss Hinton and Mrs Johnson are already describing as “the goal of the season!”, Maddie being the scorer at the top of the D after an excellent passage of passing play. A tough afternoon on the pitch but still smiles at the end as there was much to take away – and for some this was their first ever Hockey match!
A big U14A squad hosted Ipswich High School on Monday after School, in their last preparation match before the U14 County Cup, with players from Years 8 and 9 competing for selection. Woodbridge again started brightly and peppered the High School’s goal in the opening exchanges. Year 9’s Martha finally broke through defences with a nice close finish to take the lead. It looked like Woodbridge would score many more goals, but it was not to be as too many unforced errors crept into their game. Slightly misdirected passes led to multiple turnovers which allowed the opposition to get a foothold in the game. The team had to keep guarding against counter attacks. Year 9’s Juno and Matilda (there are two Matildas in Year 9 – McCaw and Pettit, could you let me know which so can use surname initial to identify) made a good CM pairing and Year 9’s Bella started to grow in confidence, making good runs and passes up the right to release Year 9’s Katherine up the flank. Year 8’s Darcey played very well at left midfield with excellent low tackles, good positioning and left foot passes. Matilda was named Player of the Match by the opposition, while Year 9’s Juno was awarded Coaches’ Player of the Match.
It was great to play in front of a big group of parent, peer and staff supporters; your support is valued.
