Hockey County Cups and More! Oct 2026

Last week saw three Hockey teams compete in the County Cup events – our U14s, U16s and U18s. With some great performances, lots of development, and skills put into action, read more about our teams, players, matches, highlights and results in our reports.

Woodbridge U16 v Ipswich High School

The U16 team provided the match of the season so far in this cup tie against Ipswich High School. The team combined Year 10 players from the U15A team and Year 11 players from the Senior 2nd team. The group combined well from the get-go, playing with structure and executing the attacking system well. The experience and enthusiasm on show were a great combination.

The game was end-to-end and players worked their socks off. Woodbridge created most of the scoring chances but were denied repeatedly by super goalkeeping. Year 10’s Sophie in goal for Woodbridge also did a great job to scupper Ipswich High’s attempts on goal. Year 10’s India J, Jasmine and Alexandra worked tirelessly and Ella K even more so keeping a major threat at bay. Quite impressive what she did without a moment’s rest! Year 11’s Charlie was composed in her distribution while captain on the day, Eirran and Millie S were influential in attack. Year 11’s Lottie impressed playing as a forward, having not done so before. It was all even at half time with lots of action but no goals! As the excitement and tension in the game grew, so did the group of spectators.

With 15 minutes to go the opposition got a goal but Woodbridge was determined to not give up. As Woodbridge was preparing to take the goalkeeper off to get an extra player on, with time running out and a goal needed, the team provided it! Plan aborted! More chances but another goal was not to be for either side. The game went into a penalty shootout to decide the outcome. India calming scored her running penalty despite some obstruction coming her way. Sophie saved one but Ipswich High took the honours on penalties.

Woodbridge 1st Team – County Event, Rushmere

Tuesday it was the turn of the 1st team to play their County event at Rushmere, this time a tournament format. The team started well, dominating against Ipswich High School. Yet again great goalkeeping denied Woodbridge a bigger scoreline. In a game of total dominance, it was eventually a penalty corner conversion from Year 13’s Bea that separated the teams – much to our relief. The team also dominated against RHS, playing the better Hockey, in what is always a very tight and physical game, and the shorter version providing lots of action. Year 13’s Freya in goal commanded the players in front of her well and Year 13’s Lyrah was ever so good at penalty corner defence. Despite having more possession and field position, Woodbridge was outdone by one solo run and a moment of defensive hesitation, to lose by one goal. The girls bounced back brilliantly against Finborough with another dominant performance and two goals from Year 12’s Amelie. Then came the showdown against the powerful Culford, who had been running over their opponents all morning, scoring countless goals. With a number of very threatening and skilful players, Woodbridge had to be at their best. They defied Culford last year, to qualify for the Regionals, could they do it again? So close…but sadly not to be. Culford managed one goal, which was enough, but our team played so well, defended with all they had and attacked with purpose. Freya was superb, including a drag flick save that will be remembered for a long time! The team gave their all and that is all one can ask for and came off the pitch very proud of their efforts!

The revelation of the day was Year 13’s Millie stepping in at right midfield like she was born to play there. This is very exciting for the team. Along with Millie, all the Year 13 players need to be commended for their input and influence on the day. This was their last County event and their quality and experience made a real impact. Thanks to Bea, Charlie, Aurelia, Freya, Lyrah and Millie!

A third-place finish on the day and lots of magic moments, memorable memories and lessons to learn from too.

Woodbridge U14 – County Competition

Thursday the U14 team competed in the County Competition; this team featured Year 9 and Year 8 players. Again, the Woodbridge girls started very well with a very clinical performance against Ipswich High School. Woodbridge was dominant and defenders only really had to worry about their distribution jobs. Year 8’s Sofia scored a brace of goals while Year 8’s Issy calmly converted a penalty stroke. Year 9’s Ava completed the scoring for Woodbridge from a penalty corner second phase play. After such a high it looked like it was going to be a great day. However, a goal drought followed! Woodbridge did a lot of things right but lacked consistency in their skill execution and decision making and final touches in the D were lacking. A bit of individual brilliance from Culford at the start of the second half, and the opposite from Woodbridge when trying to defend, led to a one goal defeat, after Woodbridge dominated the first half but failed to score. Finborough showed grit and determination to keep Woodbridge out and also scored against the odds, where we could not convert chances. A somewhat frustrating day for a good team, with another 3rd place finish for Woodbridge. There were, however, a number of highlights: the way Year 8’s Issy and Sofia combined attacking up the right, leaving most opposition in their wake; Year 9’s Martha attacking the left foot and keeping the ball strong and Year 8’s Lily playing with confidence and great effect at left defender.

Woodbridge U15A & U15B vs Ipswich High School

Also on Thursday, our U15A and B teams played against Ipswich High School. The U15A team struggled to get going and could not repeat the quality on show earlier in the week. It meant a convincing win to their opponents.

At Woodbridge the U15B team put up a great battle, especially coming into their own in the second half. More speed and forward play helped the team to attack more but it was Ipswich High who got the crucial goal needed, despite Year 9’s Kitty having another good game as goalkeeper. Year 10’s Isabella C set the tone and direction of play when she played fast and wide, Jamima P and Millie showed skill and attacking intent while Pip ran her socks off to lead in attack (in all the right places), and defend back alongside excellent communication.

Woodbridge Junior 1s and 2s

All of our Year 7 and 8 Hockey players played in matches on Wednesday and it was very exciting having them all representing the School. The Junior 1s and 2s played a triangular against Framlingham College and Town Close, the Junior 3s played against Town Close, while the Junior 4s and 5 splayed against Framlingham College 3rd team, before taking on each other. In this latter match the Junior 4s just pipped the ’s 1-0.

The Junior 3s had a great win, including a hattrick from Year 7’s Susie and a goal from Year 8’s Emilia, coming back from injury in a positive way.

Woodbridge Junior 4s and 5s

The Junior 4s dominated Fram’s U13C team with goals coming from Year 7’s Harper, Isobel and Mollie. Harper was named Player-of-the-Match! The Junior 5s also won their match courtesy of a goal from Year 7’s Allegra while Year 7’s Juno was named Player-of-the-Match.

Woodbridge Junior 1s vs Framlingham

The Junior 1s faced a very good Framlingham team who gave them no space and time! Fram’s one-on-one defending was relentless, challenging Woodbridge to be at their very best to get attacks going. Half chances were stopped and Woodbridge felt frustrated at times not having the playing freedom they usually have. On the other side of things, Fram presented an attacking challenge the girls had not come up against so far this season, testing individual and team defending to the max. Year 8’s Chloe Y in goal, played a great game. Three goals went in against us, but the learning gained was more important. Next up was Town Close, and Woodbridge turned into a dominant force again. Year 8’s Coco, Issy and Sofia (2) scored for Woodbridge while Chloe kept a clean sheet at the other end. The race for Player-of-the-Match was a close one, with Sofia just pipping Chloe (who is playing her first season as goalkeeper!)

Woodbridge Junior 2s vs Framlingham

The Junior 2s were frustrated with a goalless draw against Fram College, being the better team but not being able to convert. After a good chat from team coach, Mrs Johnson the team turned their fortunes around against Town Close and racking up the goals. Goals came from Year 8’s Florence, Chloe S and Vivienne, who has been on very good form recently, scored a hattrick. Year 8’s Martha was named Player-of-the-Match, for her performance in goal.

The Lower School students were fabulous on this first big block fixture, perfectly punctual and organised and very good ambassadors for the school on and off the pitch.

Woodbridge Senior 3rd vs Framlingham

Another highlight of the week came from our Senior 3rd team’s win over Fram College at Tuddenham Road. Team coach, Miss Sanders shared her report of the match:

What a super start to the season for the Senior 3rd Team, demonstrating great teamwork, some excellent Hockey, and featuring three players making their Woodbridge School debut and playing their first ever Hockey match.

The first half was full of attacking play, with several chances created and some excellent saves from the opposition goalkeeper. Defensively, we worked as a unit and were successful with nearly every tackle. Our forwards were eventually rewarded through effective attacks down the right and accurate passes into the D.

Year 12’s Laura opened the scoring, reacting quickly to a rebound and calmly slotting the ball into the left corner. Year 12’s Amelia then doubled the lead with a powerful strike past the goalkeeper, before Rocky, also Year 12, finished off a well-worked move, sweeping home a pass from fellow Year 12’s Imy on the right.

A superb team performance all round. Well done to everyone involved, and we look forward to the next match!