More Hockey Highlights from our Junior 1st and 2nd, U15 and 1st IX Teams
The Hockey Highlights just keep coming! With matches played in the last week of January by our Junior 1st and 2nd teams against Ipswich High, our 1st XI’s incredible success at the U18 County Cup.
Woodbridge Junior 1 and 2 vs Ipswich High School
Our Junior 1st and 2nd teams hosted Ipswich High School for matches after School last week. The Junior 2s didn’t quite back up their positive first game with a performance to match and had to settle for a one-goal defeat. The team now looks to take their skill, structure, composure and concentration from training into their next match.
The Junior 1st team showed everything they learned from their first match and put this into excellent action by moving the ball wide and high in attack and focusing on their tactical and technical defending. Year 8’s Barney was composed in the back line, showing excellent decision making and intent when joining the attack. Multiple chances were created in the first half, and one beautiful team goal was scored when Year 8’s Max played a perfectly timed pass from the baseline to fellow Year 8 Jack to score on the far post.
Frustratingly, Ipswich High scored a goal of their own to go into half time all square. Woodbridge decided nothing had to change and they just had to keep doing what they had done so far, sticking to their patterns, and the goals will come – and four more followed!
A perfect push-back set-piece at the start of the second half resulted in a penalty corner which Max scored with a perfect strike into the corner before a minute had passed. Max scored a second goal during the half while Year 8’s James and Year 7’s Charlie also got on the score sheet. Our team was clinical in their second half performance which prepares them well for tough matches and the U13 County Cup ahead.
It was impossible to decide on a clear Player-of-the-Match as every player in the team contributed so positively to a complete team performance and brilliant win.
Woodbridge 1st XI at the U18 County Cup
Our Senior 1st Team showed that they could be a force to reckon with this season, with some outstanding play at the U18 County Cup, their first competitive fixtures of the season. The team featured five debutants and brought together a mix of experience from Year 11 to 13.
As expected, the first match against RHS was a physical and feisty battle. The team worked hard to implement tactical and technical expectations of new coach, Mr Flatt. This required a lot of mental and physical effort and delivered the desired outcome. Year 12’s Tom scored for Woodbridge early in the second half, being rewarded for endless running in the press and skills in attack. Woodbridge stood strong in the closing minutes of the game to secure a great first win.
Culford brought a different challenge with plenty of skilful players to manage and was a confident team after a big win in their first match. Our goalkeepers, Year 13’s Ethan and Year 12’s Edward, continued to make great saves to keep a clean sheet and Woodbridge in the hunt for the win. Neither team could break the deadlock, however, and played out a very physical, entertaining and high tempo 0-0 draw.
It was all to play for in the last match with both Woodbridge and Culford knowing a big win could make them county champions. Woodbridge showed early on against Ipswich High School that they would be the dominant team and Year 12’s Alex converted this early dominance into a lead with a field goal in the 5th minute. Year 12’s Arlo doubled the lead when he scored from a sneaky deflection at a penalty corner.
After going ahead, the team lost their structure and playing patterns a bit by carrying too much in the search for more goals. Half time came at the right time to regroup and refocus on the process to get desired outcomes. Woodbridge continued to dominate and Edward dealt with Ipswich High shots well to deny any upset. Tom got a second goal for the day with a well-timed penalty corner strike to make sure the win is secured. Three goals in the last game were not quite enough to overtake Culford’s goal difference but it was a great performance from the team in the tournament, finishing joint top of the table, but pushed into second place on goal difference.
With this result the team has secured their place in the Regional Finals in March. Congratulations to Tom who was voted Player-of-the-Day and special mention to GKs Ethan and Edward for top goalkeeping and saves all day. Pretty impressive to play three matches without conceding a single goal.
Woodbridge U15 vs New Hall
The U15 team made it two wins from two when they beat New Hall U15B. Our team showed superior skill to the opposition but had to work hard to contend with athletic and physical play from New Hall.
It was a close affair; the teams being separated by a goal from Harry well set up by Kaell.
Player-of-the-Match was awarded to Anthony.
Well done to this group who keep working hard and playing so well together.
