Hockey Gets Underway for our Boys’ Teams – Jan 2026
The Boys’ Hockey fixture program got underway this week with much anticipated matches against Fram College – no better way to test yourself in the opening matches of the season.
Woodbridge U14A vs Framlingham
A big U14A squad (made up of Year 9 players) showed their intent from the moment they arrived at the astro for their pre-match prep. Excellent skills and decision making in the warm-up continued into the opening minutes of the game – one in which the boys would relish playing against a newly selected England U16 squad member. Woodbridge put all their new principles into action, building beautiful attacks and creating chances.
From the opening minutes our midfield showed their class, Joseph and Otto H being big players in the middle while Josh and Alfie P were dominant with carries and passes on the flanks. Our early chances were denied but frustratingly Fram scored two well placed goals against the run of play in the first half, before Joseph’s slick skills and cracking shot proved too much for the GK to deal with.
Going into half time, Woodbridge felt they had an opportunity and were playing the better hockey. The defensive shape and discipline were sound with the boys learning their roles and responsibilities fast. Dylan and Otto P-S were confident and composed in the back line, tackling and passing well, guided by super goalie, Olly B. The forwards, led by Dex, Giles, Theo and Michael kept leading into good spaces and complemented each other well, creating more chances and ‘so close’ moments. Otto H was the player who took one of these chances with a great shot to draw the teams level. Woodbridge kept the subs rolling to give as much playing experience possible to the whole squad.
Framlingham took the lead again using their opportunity at a penalty corner well, scoring a clinical drag flick from a re-award. Our team, however, did not believe they were beaten yet and kept pushing, making for an even more exciting final ten minutes, entertaining the ever-growing line of spectators.
The game came to a fitting climax when Woodbridge had a couple of penalty corners on the final whistle. It looked like the equaliser was already on the scoreboard as Otto’s hit headed towards goal, and then out of nowhere the GK’s diving stick appeared to take the ball away from the bottom corner. A match highlight to end a match full of highlights! The win was not to be this time, but the future for this young team looks very bright indeed.
A number of players stood out and would be worthy Players-of-the-Match, however, this time our midfield stars, Otto H and Joseph share the honor.
Woodbridge Junior Teams
On Wednesday, our Year 7 and 8 boys also hosted Fram College. It was a tough day for most of our teams, results not being on our side, but as they say “you do not lose while you are learning”.
The Junior 3 and 4 boys enjoyed their matches and were full of enthusiasm at the end, despite the scoreline flattering their opponents. The Junior 4s in particular had lots of attacking opportunities with the Fram GK putting in a magical performance. One spell including a triple save denying Year 7’s Joshi and Year 8’s Arthur and Will all in one go. A lovely match moment followed with Arthur having to high five his opponent for superb skill.
The Junior 1 team started off very strong with co-captain Max being dominant in midfield. A couple of early chances and a penalty corner strike were denied by Fram. A crash ball beat our press, resulting again in a frustrating goal against the run of play. This shifted momentum Fram’s way, dominating the rest of the half with power carries and power passing.
Woodbridge were punished for falling into a dribbling game with one-on-one turnovers leading to goals and further opportunities for the opposition. Despite this, Year 8’s Jack and James were making promising debuts for the team while Year 7’s Charlie showed his class wherever he played.
Half time was a time to regroup and remind each other of our style of play and to move the ball around. The boys did this brilliantly at times using the width, feeding the forward and recycling the ball well to deny Fram possession and make chances, wonderfully saved by a top GK. Fram did score two more goals in the half, but this time they had to work a lot harder for it. Charlie scored our first goal of the season, thanks to a great bit of high defending by himself and James to win the turnover and get the subsequent shot away.
It was not the win the team craved, but after a somewhat disastrous first half, the second half showed the ability of the group, making small technical and tactical adjustments to perform to their best. Player-of-the-Match was Year 7‘s Charlie.
The Junior 2 team delivered the match of the day for Woodbridge. Lovely passing and connecting with each other, determined defending, and absolute 100% effort saw the team go toe-to-toe with Fram. The game was end-to-end, with both teams creating chances and forcing saves from the respective goalkeepers. It was all even at half time – so all to play for.
Fram got the goal they wanted but our team kept pushing, again having the better play at the end of the game, showing fitness and ever-growing desire. A number of penalty corners on the final whistle gave Woodbridge the opening they needed, but ultimately it was not to be as the final decision and touch just didn’t work out.
Our thanks to all the parents who came to support the matches. Not a day of results for our boys, but definite learning, growing and players showing resilience and a lot of promise for the season ahead.
