Saturday 16 September saw block rugby fixtures against Seaford College. Earlier in the week the girls had their first hockey matches of the season, against Lord Wandsworth College. The U12 and U13 rugby teams had their first competitive fixtures against Bohunt School in Wokingham. Sunday also saw the staff football team in action as they played a friendly against the Tideway Scullers - otherwise known as 'a team of rowers'!
1st XV Lost 17-43 vs Seaford College
After a long bus journey down to Seaford we were going into the match after a strong win against Windsor Boys. We received kick off and quickly knocked the ball on, resulting in an early scrum to Seaford. Shiplake were struggling to cope with the pace Seaford was attacking at. They were finding holes in our defence early on and within the first 20 minutes we found ourselves 19 points down. Nevertheless we kept our heads high and after stringing together several phases, Robbie Cartwright managed to offload out the back to Louis Ashcroft who scored under the posts for Joe Booth to convert. We felt as though Seaford were tiring and it seemed as though we had the upper hand in the latter stages of the first half. Although momentum was in our favour, a well-executed play from Seaford’s backs lead them to yet another try. Shiplake were determined not to give up and our physicality was stating to get the better of them. After several passages of play and a lot of semi line breaks from Shiplake, we had the upper hand. A well-recognised reverse in attack from the forwards meant that they could work the ball down the short side, resulting in Robbie diving over the line for another 5 points. At half time the score read 24-12.
We knew that it was all to play for in the second half, our physicality was still dominant in the early stages of the second half and 3 minutes in, Lucas Smyth was over the white wash. We really did believe that we could come back at Seaford and never did any of the Shiplake heads drop. The score at this point was 24-17 so we knew that if we kept up our physicality and kept going forward then we could hopefully come back to take the game. However our hope was short-lived as Seaford ran in several more tries towards the end of the match to seal a victory. On the whole, Shiplake lacked in our organisation during defence and also didn’t match their physicality in the early and late stages of the game. However our attack proved to be dangerous at points with the forwards gaining good yards and the backs offloading well. The final score was 43-17 Seaford.
Report provided by Captain Harvey Hendry and Joe Booth
3rd XV Lost 10-52 vs Seaford College
After a long coach journey and a very short warm up, the 3rd XV were straight into a competitive hard fought match. After a spell of great defensive work, we broke out of our twenty two and Bowcock ran through a splintered defence to score the game’s first try. Seaford hit back quickly, but quick reactions in the lineout saw Grundy drive straight through their forwards and score a fine individual effort. At half time we were pleased with the score of 12-10. However the second half proved tough, playing uphill, three injuries and subs playing out of position took its toll and Seaford took advantage, but we did rally midway and played with spirit to the final whistle.
Report provided by Mr Grant Lawson
U16B Lost 12-45 vs Seaford College
The U16B team took on Seaford in the first match of the new season. In the first ten minutes Shiplake matched Seaford and tackled their hearts out, leading to Seaford mistakes and turnovers. From one such turnover, vice-captain Barney Rivett dinked a delightful cross-field kick into space just outside the opponent's 22. Dom Deakin read the play well and caught the ball, gassed three men and scored under the posts.
Seaford came back into the game strongly and scored a try of their own after excellent possession and phase play. With the score at 5-5 with three minutes until half time, Shiplake switched off for the first time and a scrum advantage turned into a clean break and the impressive fly-half for Seaford scored under the posts. Half time – 5-12.
The second half saw a string of Shiplake substitutions and competition for places is extremely hot this year. Seaford’s size and ability to run hard and fast wore Shiplake down but the players (as always at Shiplake College) never gave up and came back fighting every time. Some impressive scores including the no.10s hat-trick, saw Seaford cruise away with the match. However, great moments by Althorp, Dalziel and Abery kept the spirits up. Eventually, after ill-discipline, Rivett set up Jack Powell for Shiplake’s second score. The first and last points were ours and it was good to finish on a high. Final result 12-43. Man of the match – Thierry Althorp
Report provided by Mr Alex Duncan
U15A Lost 19-22 vs Seaford College
After a strong first game for Shiplake against Windsor Boys, coming out with a 15-10 victory, Shiplake were keen to carry this performance into Seaford. Despite knowing that it would be a very tough game. After a long 2 hour journey down to Seaford the boys were eager to get started. So after a 15 minute warm up the game began, it was a tough first 25 minutes for Shiplake, conceding a try after relentless pressure from Seaford and moments after they scored again leaving Shiplake 10-0 down at half time.
After the break Shiplake started to string together some really nice offloading rugby, eventually leading to a break from James Burgess who ran it in to score Shiplake’s first try of the game. This gave the lads a confidence boost and the momentum was starting to shift Shiplake’s way. Although Shiplake had possession in Seaford’s 22, a slight mistake led to Seaford scoring another try. Shiplake knew that the game was there to be won so with that in mind Shiplake gave it all they had. Which ultimately led to a try from Archie McArthur, now only leaving Shiplake needing to score 1 and the way things were looking it was possible despite the clock being against us. After the restart Shiplake struggled to get the ball out of our 22 leading to a mistake which Seaford capitalised on and scored, making it tougher for Shiplake to get something from the game. Shiplake were not going to give up though as with 3 minutes to go Shiplake had possession in Seaford’s half and after some slick hands from the backs Josh Hazell scored a great team try in the corner. Unfortunately it wasn't enough as Shiplake narrowly lost 22-19. Well done to every player who played in that game. The effort, determination and persistence was amazing. Now looking forward to Gillotts on Thursday.
Report provided by James Burgess
U15B Lost 0-41 vs Seaford College
The Under 15Bs competed in a very difficult game against much larger opposition. Caught on the back foot, having just come off the coach, the Bs conceded 4 tries early on in the game. Once they started to spread out and tackle low, they matched their opposition on every level. Despite the score line, the second half was in fact dominated by Shiplake. The forwards won virtually all the scrums and did very well in the breakdown. However, after 20 minutes of constant pressure inside the Seaford 22, the Bs couldn’t quite capitalise on their hard work and Seaford scored an opportunistic try after a counter-attack. Man of the Match went to Billy Bryan; he put in some superb tackles on his debut. The result was a loss, but the team continues to gel and this will only make them stronger going forward.
Report provided by Mr James Arney
U15C Drew 12-12 vs Seaford College
Seaford College was bound to be a hard match; a lot of training had taken place in the lead-up. The match started and Seaford kicked off and broke our defence quickly to give them an early try but missed the kick, making it 5-0 early on. We then attacked and stayed in their half for a long period of time. We managed to spot that they were not spread out for defence so we shipped the ball down to Will Sharp on the wing who scored a try just before half-time. It was a difficult angle to score the kick for Luke Roxburgh-Smith but he attempted it and missed narrowly making it 5-5 at half-time.
After a short discussion the whistle blew and we kicked into a big open space; we took the ball and got possession but a quick turnover meant they gained ground quickly and shortly after scored a try and this time they also got the kick. The game was 12-5 to Seaford College with 15 minutes left of the half. With a few big pushes in the rucks we managed to turn the ball over just inside their 22. We again shipped it down the line, this time to Will Symons who pushed through their defensive line and scored a try. The pressure was on for Luke to score the kick but he succeeded and made it 12-12. The rest of the match was competitive but no one managed take the win. Well done to Munro Waller and Ashley Williams for great rucking and turning the ball over to our possession. We can take a lot out of this match and are also very pleased to have had the best result in the whole school. Thanks for all the teachers who took us on a long drive to Seaford.
Report provided by Mr Aled Elmore
U14A Lost 15-29 vs Seaford College
The U14A Rugby team started the game against Seaford College in strong form, with an early try from Man of the Match, Jacob Shortland. However, a sustained period of pressure in the middle part of the game saw Seaford score five tries. Despite this dominance throughout a large part of the game, the Shiplake boys were not downbeat and staged a late comeback with a 60 metre sprint to the line by winger, Edward Dallas and Archie Arnold gliding through a gap in the oppositions defensive line on the final play of the match. Final score, 29-15 to Seaford College.
Report provided by Mr Duncan Traynor
U14C Lost 5-40 vs Seaford College
The boys put up a valiant performance. Even though we lost, we took away something far more important: a sense of pride in our tackling. Notable tackles were made from Will, Hashim, Hal, Johnny, Henry and James. Seaford did play well but we matched them for parts of the game with Hashim crashing over for a well-deserved try. The boys should build on this performance and train hard on the breakdown area. All in all, an improved match from last week.
Report provided by Dr Rob D'Rozario
U12A Lost 5-45 vs Bohunt School
With much excitement the Under 12 A Team played their first fixture of the season in what would also be the first time they have represented Shiplake College. It would be fair to say that experience of competitive rugby is very limited within our group and with only one training session it was always going to be a tough ask against a much more experienced Bohunt School team. Although Bohunt dominated the early exchanges Shiplake never stopped defending with such huge levels of determination.
The improvement in the second half was tremendous with Shiplake now testing the Bohunt defence and scoring the first try of the season. It would not be right to single out any boys as everyone contributed significantly to this performance and there was plenty of desire to suggest that we have the potential for a good season. Final score Bohunt 45 Shiplake 5.
Report provided by Mr Tom Crisford
Girls' 1st XI Won 7-0 vs Lord Wandsworth College
The season has had an outstanding start for the first team, with a win of 7-0 against Lord Wandsworth. Our team worked well considering this was our very first time playing together. The confidence of the players was demonstrated in the first third by scoring two goals early on. Our defence was strong from the offset and we never gave Lord Wandsworth the opportunity to score.
Goalkeeper Jade Miller, who managed to go the whole game without touching the ball once, motivated the team with good communication throughout. Strong tactile moves meant Emma Renwick and Hannah Burnett set up even more goal opportunities in the second third, with newcomer Sophie Weldon impressing with two goals on her debut.
The standard of play, particularly from Brooke Creighton and Daisy Stuart continued to improve into an amazing final third. Even though our opponents came out stronger and harder with their attack, we still managed to dominate the game. Player of the match goes to Liv Bartlett, which was well deserved due to her hat trick of goals.
Report provided by Captain of Hockey, Lauren McNally
Girls' 2nd XI Lost 5-1 vs Lord Wandsworth College
Given the popularity and success of the girls’ hockey last season, it was decided to open up a second team to encourage new players, or players who have not played for a while, to find their feet on the hockey pitch. With a number of new girls who have never picked up a hockey stick, let alone played a game, this was a performance that they could be proud of. Despite going down to an early goal, Shiplake picked themselves up and were combative across the park, with Mimi Ellis and Jem Evans getting stuck in, breaking down the Lord Wandsworth play. Mary Keswick was brave in goal and continued to confront the attackers, with Rhian Edwards and Tory Wyatt holding firm in defence. Shiplake were eventually rewarded for their attacking endeavours when Sophie Weldon forced the ball over the line after some good work from Georgie Stebbings and Darcy Timms. At 2-1 down going into the final third, it came down to fitness levels and in the end Lord Wandsworth prevailed, securing a 5-1 victory with a couple of late goals. A great first performance for the girls and with some hard work on the training pitch, the season could see some very respectable results.
Report provided by Head of Girls' Games, Mr Tom Walter
Shiplake Staff Won 7-1 vs Tideway Scullers
On a beautiful, crisp but mild morning, Shiplake staff team took to the football field for the first time this season. The game started brightly with Shiplake's well-renowned passing game clicking into gear straight away. The Miller brothers were working one twos through the middle of the pitch and Jack, Andy and R Curran were spreading the play to the wide areas. On a big pitch against tall men, this was clearly the correct tactic. It took 15 minutes for the first goal to come and it was supplied by D Miller, who timed his run superbly, rounded the keeper and slotted home to rapturous applause from the home support. P McCraw was in typically fine fettle and his creativity exposed the rowers' lack of experience at the back. Three or four more good chances came and went for Shiplake, who were cruising at this stage. However, a change of goalkeeper for Shiplake, with A Duncan replacing A Moffatt for the second 6th, saw fortunes change somewhat. A miss hit, deflected, loopy shot was only palmed back towards the on-running Tideway striker, who buried it into the bottom corner of the net unchallenged. 1-1 and game on. We changed our tactics - long ball - Moffatt up front with D Miller and H Geyton dictating the play from the back. It worked - a long hoof, flick on and raw pace led to the second and third goals, with Andy and G Miller scoring great goals. The 'tide' had changed and the floodgates opened. Geyton found Duncan in the box to poke home the fourth just before half-time and Shiplake looked good for their 4-1 lead.
The second half was end to end, with the Shiplake counter-attack working wonders, especially thriving on the performance of C Lehane-Kendrick at left back. R Ebbage and he were releasing the wingers at will and more goals from Moffatt x 2, D Miller's second and Geyton wrapped up an emphatic win. Small dogs invaded the pitch towards the end and there was a round of applause mid match as the scullers sub took off his shirt to reveal his 'ab'solutely magnificent physique.
Team: A Moffatt, C Lehane-Kendrick, R Ebbage, A Duncan (Capt), H Geyton, Andy Slow, Jack Pace, G Miller, D Miller, P McCraw, R Curran
Report provided by Captain Mr Alex Duncan
Other Rugby Results
2nd XV Lost 5-24 vs Seaford College
U16A Lost 12-39 vs Seaford College
U14B Lost 21-24 vs Seasford College
U13B Won 0-15 vs Bohunt School
U12B vs Bohunt School - Result TBC