Hockey Cup Competitions
This week saw a number of our teams take part in a variety of Cup competitions. Below you can read our cup match reports from Mrs Rix, Head of Hockey.
Woodbridge U15 vs Greshams
On Monday 25 September a new-look U15 team travelled to Greshams for our first ever match in the Independent Schools Cup. The team also featured four Year 9 players (Issy H, Eve, Georgia and Amelie) who did very well playing a year up. The team had a somewhat slow start and went a couple of goals down before firing on all cylinders. Each player grew in confidence, speed and creativity and we started to create chances as half time approached. With momentum on their side, there was further promising play, using positive through balls to the forwards and being structured in defence. Greshams held strong though and progress to the next round. Well done to player of the match, team captain, Year 10’s Charlie.
Woodbridge U15A vs RHS
The lessons learned from their first match were put to good use later in the week, when the U15A team travelled to Royal Hospital School. Woodbridge started with a real spring in their step with Bea scoring an early goal. If Woodbridge wanted to relax after the good start, this was not to be, as RHS came straight back. The hockey was great to watch with it being end-to-end but our team looked more in tune with each other and we were awarded a penalty corner that Charlie put away. Some sterling penalty corner defence saw the team going into half time in the lead. Excellent work done in defence by Lyrah , Millie, Lexi and Liya – and Freya in goal! Lyrah stepped up in the first five minutes of the second half to score a screamer of a penalty corner which extended our lead. With some great play up the line, Eloise running the baseline and us having plenty of chances, RHS broke away to score a scrappy goal down our end. Nevertheless, we kept fighting and Bea put a beautiful goal away after a penalty corner first shot. Excellent running from Scarlett, Lily F, Ellie and Meda was matched by inventive midfield play from Lily M, Margot, and Aurelia. Well done girls!
Woodbridge 1st team England Hockey U18 T4 Cup
The 1st team played in a very competitive first County Round of the England Hockey T4 Cup on Tuesday 26 September. Congratulations to debutants: Year 12’s Charlotte H and Sophia, year 11’s Eve, Georgia P, Lara and Bonnie, and year 10’s Bea and Charlie. Tightly contested matches were played against Culford, Ipswich High School, Ipswich School 2nd team, Finborough and RHS. The team showed massive resilience and leadership dealing with various difficulties during the day, changing positions and stepping in everywhere needed on the pitch, and running until there was nothing left. A day filled with learning in executing creative attacking play and defending as a unit set the team up nicely for the season ahead.
Woodbridge 2nd team and 3rd team vs Norwich High School
The 2nd team and 3rd senior team played against Norwich High School and both came away with good performances and wins. We are blessed with a large number of senior (Year 11 to 13) players playing hockey this season, and showing the depth of talent at Woodbridge School. It was an excellent first outing for the 2nd XI, passing the ball well, tackling well and creating some good chances. Every player got good pitch time and played in their favoured position, and a position they hadn’t played before. The opposition GK was very good and thwarted many of the attacks, however, a quick strike by year 12’s Eloise resulted in a weak save and Year 11’s Nancy was there to tap in the rebound. After that, Woodbridge dominated and looked like they would score lots more. Year 12’s Olivia worked tirelessly up front and got her reward with a well worked goal from the left, and Year 12’s Rosie also impressed throughout and got her reward with a tap in at the far post, after lots of good inter play in midfield. Year 12’s Marina held the midfield together and Year 13’s Ada was a rock in defence. Well done all!
The 3rd team started with a superb match. A tight game to start with both sides showing some strong play down the middle of the pitch but Woodbridge managed to capitalise first through a cracking quick shot from Year 11’s Eliza. What ended up being a to-and-fro half, Woodbridge managed to make the attacking play count and score more goals by Year 11’s Lilianna, Rose and Martha. The second half was nervy with both sides having chances but again Woodbridge made them count with Year 13’s Kitty scoring a well-worked goal. Well done to all who played in an eventful and thrilling first game of the term and well done to Lilianna who was chosen as Player of the Match by the opposition.
Woodbridge U14 England Hockey T2 Cup
On Thursday 28 September Woodbridge School hosted RHS and Finborough to compete for the County Cup, and to see who will go on to represent the County at the Regional Event. Woodbridge had a great afternoon, growing in confidence and skill; the team moving the ball like they have been playing together for a long time. Year 9’s Eve and Georgia controlled the midfield while Year 9’s Issy and Amelie were threatening up front. From the back, GK Eva from Year 9 was incredibly vocal, and together with defensive team of Year 9’s Sophie P, Felicity, Annie and Year 8’s Ella, they made sure that Woodbridge didn’t concede a single goal in their two matches, while scoring five goals for themselves. Woodbridge became Suffolk Champions with two wins from two, and go on to the Regional Rounds which take place in early November. Well done to Year 8’s Amelie, Annabelle, Ella and Jemima who played a year up and were superb. Player of the tournament for Woodbridge was co-captain, Year 9’s Eve.
