Woodbridge Junior, U14A and U14B Hockey Match Reports
Last week our Junior, U14A and U14B Hockey teams were in action! With news of their matches and our players, read more in our reports.
Junior Matches
Last Wednesday we had our first full block of Junior Hockey matches, playing with all six teams against Norwich School. This brought two challenges – almost 60 excited Hockey players travelling to Magpies on some windy country roads; and the Hockey challenge ahead against a very tough opponent. Last season saw Norwich School dominate the block with four wins, two draws and only one win going Woodbridge School’s way. Can we turn it around? Yes, we can!
After some unforeseen transport delays, our teams made a rushed arrival at Harleston Magpies and had to get warmed-up sharpish. They did this with great focus and professionalism to get us underway almost on time and not lose any playing time.
The Junior 1s match started with a bit of a blow in the second minute when a transfer pass resulted in an interception and clear route to goal for Norwich. They put this chance away to take an early lead. This only spurred the team on and from then Woodbridge controlled the ball, played beautiful expansive Hockey and peppered the Norwich goal, only to be denied by their GK. Norwich struggled to cope with the speed and aggressive play of Year 7’s Sofia and Year 8’s Chloe who created lots of turnover and exciting attacking plays. Year 8’s Martha was also influential in her leading and pressing while Year 8 Captain, Matilda did a great job controlling the centre of the pitch. Year 8 goalkeeper, Najma made some excellent saves to counter the early goal and keep Woodbridge in the game, fighting for a win they really deserved for their play. Year 8’s Juno and Year 7’s Lily were composed defenders, distributing well and clearing away any danger after good interceptions and strong tackles. Year 7’s Issy worked tirelessly at right midfield, varying her actions and choices on the ball well, which makes a player very difficult to defend. Woodbridge kept pushing but just could not get their goal. And then, with time running out and only seconds remaining, Issy posted up for a pass from the defence, followed by an attacking roll out to feed the ball down the right side-line for Sofia. Receiving in space and running at speed she drove the baseline, drawing defenders in and then putting the ball across the goal, where Chloe arrived at just the right time to get the touch to redirect the ball into the tiniest gap in the goal! Such joy for a draw that feels like a win – for the quality of play the team produced and their never-give-up attitude! Player of the Match was jointly awarded to Chloe and Sofia.
An overall great performance by the Junior 2s against Norwich School. Playing with confidence, supporting each other, giving space on the pitch and executing chances were the names of the game and the whole team played so well! Woodbridge dominated from start to finish, scoring wonderful team goals at regular intervals and simply proving technically and tactically superior to their U13B opponents. Goal scorers were Year 8’s Katherine (2) and Ava, and Year 7’s Florence and Coco. Special mentions to Year 7’s Chloe Y who sees the space so well, Year 8’s Grace for her first time shot on goal and Ava for always working hard. Player of the Match was awarded to Coco, always in the right place at the right time and doing her roles as a forward excellently.
A massive well done to the Junior 1s and 2s who turned around our fortunes against Norwich from last season. Two heavy losses with 10 goals conceded, turned into a win and a draw and a very positive goal difference in Woodbridge School’s favour. Credit to our students who always work so hard to be the best they can be.
The Junior 3s were frustrated in their two-goal loss but remained resolute in our process to play modern rolling-sub Hockey to give maximum play time to all members of the team. “You don’t lose if you are learning”, and we have taken a lot from the game to keep improving as individuals and a team. Our goal was scored by Year 8’s Elodie while Player of the Match was awarded to Year 7’s Lucy.
The Junior 4 girls started brightly, attacking the right with Year 8’s Abigail and Ellie providing the service up that wing. The players worked hard to get into an effective press and won the ball back many times high up the pitch but couldn’t connect with the final ball into the D. After going down halfway through the first half, they regrouped and when Year 8’s Izzy S-C was put through on goal; she made no mistake with the touch past the keeper. All even at half time, the girls were positive and ready to go again in the second half. They had the majority of the ball and pressure but were undone 30 seconds from the end with a pinball style goal finally breaching the defence. A tough loss but lots of learning and positives to take away.
It was a great game for our Junior 5 team, which saw the ball move down the right a lot with passes wide as well as forward. The team pressed well to win the ball high up the pitch and create plenty of shots at goal; these were much more successful once they were into the corners of the goal. Confidence improved for all players as the game progressed and they all played a part in winning this game! Well done to Year 8’s Maddie who was named Player of the Match.
After a long journey to Magpies the Junior 6 team warmed up well and were ready to play as soon as the whistle went. They pressed the ball from the off and quickly gained possession. The forwards passed the ball effectively and managed to cause quite a few problems in the D for Norwich. After a few near misses from Year 7’s Lola D and Tweel, Year 7’s Lola M managed to find the goal despite some excellent goalkeeping from the Norwich GK. Two more goals were scored by Lola M and Year 8’s Iyla respectively, demonstrating a desire to push up the pitch and attack. The midfield of Year 7’s Jess, Tweel and Lola D worked hard when defending and distributing the ball well out to the wings. There were some lovely passages of play which included well-rehearsed set pieces from a long corner. Year 7’s Maisie and Year 8’s Poppy E were solid in defence, tracking the ball effectively and communicating clearly with Year 8’s Poppy B in goal. The second half brought another goal each from Lola D and Iyla. A very pleasing whole team performance, resulting in another convincing win and showing the depth of our Junior players. Well done to Iyla who was awarded Player of the Match.
Woodbridge U14A and U14B vs RHS
On Thursday last week the Year 9 players in the U14A and U14B teams played against RHS.
The U14A team showed how much they have learned since the County Cup, despite a changes in the team. The team settled on the 3-4-3 structure but experimented with some changed personnel in various positions. This proved successful and the team outlet and passed through the midfield with more success, freedom and creativity. The midfield players of Jasmine, Kirsty, India and Rebecca worked tirelessly and was so impressive both in and out of possession. Ella in a new centre back role controlled things so well and looked undeterred by most things that came her way while Alexandra found space on the right to attack with more flare and use her athleticism well. Issy really impressed with her work as left defender. Imogen M made a real impact when she took the pitch up front and lead the forward line and many attacks. Woodbridge played confident and constructive Hockey, trying to move the ball through the lines; they had to keep mentally in the game to manage the more direct and hard hitting style of play from the opposition. Unfortunately Woodbridge just could not get their forwards away enough and despite a number of efforts at goal and half chances just could not get their goal. A few minutes from the end Woodbridge somehow thwarted a sure breakaway goal, only to get the blow of a last-minute winner against them a few minutes later. A loss but a victory really for the play shown, knowledge shown and the desire from each player. The team got much better in their press, outletting and midfield play which allows the focus to shift onto forward leading and getting into those important spaces higher up the pitch. Player of the Match was a difficult choice, with four players being consistently outstanding – well done to Rebecca, India, Jasmine and Ella.
A first match for the U14B team against RHS at Ipswich Hockey Club Tuddenham Road pitch, and they gelled from the outset, connecting passes and following tactics to protect the middle and pushing the RHS attackers wide. Going down an early goal was a wakeup call as we started passing to the right, Mariella carrying into the D culminating in scoring a wonderful strike from Cecily just before half time. In the second half, Woodbridge dominated proceedings and were rewarded with a short corner from which captain, India B scored a brilliant strike into the corner. For the rest of the match, the defence held strong with Maizie distributing confidently out to the wings, Honor was a terrier in the D and the team came together to win their first match this year. Player of the Match was shared by Maizie and India B.
After half term we will report on how our Junior 1s got on at the U13 County Cup and the Year 7A team at the U12 County Cup.
