There were some tough rugby matches last week against Churcher's College, but all played well and with determination. The 1st XV are gearing up this week for their Friday Night Lights fixture against Pangbourne College on Friday 10 December (7.00pm Kick-off) at Reading Rams, all welcome. In hockey the girls would love your support at their Hockey Night Lights fixture against St Joseph's College on Monday 13 December, 5.00pm at Reading Hockey Club.
Rugby
1st XV - Mr Beckett
With a very short warm up, the 1st XV started the game well but realised it was going to be a tough ask to beat Churcher’s unless they played one of their best games of the season. Both sides took time to get into the game and the match was 12-7 at half time with everything to play for. However, Churcher’s kicked a penalty in front of the posts to nudge the score to 15-7 meaning Shiplake needed more than a converted score to win. Some good glimpses of rugby throughout the second half by the 1st XV but too little, too late and Churcher’s finished their season with a win. Notable performances by S Gillen, S Bourke, C Moss and J Cheetham. Shiplake face Pangbourne at Friday Night Lights, any support would be appreciated!
2nd XV - Mr Wheeler
The 2nd XV came up against a well drilled Churcher’s side. Physical game from the start with a narrow pitch meant that tackles had to be made. J Macleod leading with the highest tackle count and hard running from C Neale and T Sharp put us at 14-12 with 15 mins to play. Game was abandoned due to an injury to the opposition's full back. A big week of training this week for our final game against Pangbourne this Saturday.
U16A - Mr Bowden
A patchy game but the U16s started and ended well to see off Churcher's. The team scored some nice tries and used the kick option effectively. Areas to work on is our depth in attack and body position defensively.
U15A - Mr Dix
Well done to F Feltham, L Cawdell, O Morris and L Wilson who all stepped up to play their first game for the A team this season. With many playing out of position, the team struggled to find the continuity required to score points against a confident opposition, who won convincingly.
U14A - Mr Curtis
Coming up against an unbeaten Churcher's side, the U14s were quickly under pressure conceding two scores early in the first half. However, the Shiplake tackling improved and an A Cheek score just after half time gave the boys hope. In the end Churcher's proved too strong. Final score 10-20. Small consolation but the opposition coach did say it was the toughest match they had had this term.
U14B - Dr D’Rozario
A great rucking performance from the U14Bs. Yes we lost 4-2, with tries from H Arnold and O Perkins, but the players must be proud of themselves. Everyone played well, with notable mentions for F McCalley and J Scotchbrook.
Hockey
This week, the captain and the vice captains of the girls' hockey team talk about their love for playing hockey at Shiplake ahead of their Hockey Night Lights fixture at Reading Hockey Club on Monday 13 December, 5pm.
This term I have really enjoyed being Shiplake College Hockey Captain of such an amazing team of girls and I have enjoyed every fixture we have played this season. Despite losing some matches, we are always enthusiastic and supportive of each other. I really enjoy hockey at Shiplake because our coaches are constantly inspiring and motivating us into giving our best for our team. The position I play is right forward which I very much enjoy playing. I feel being up front is an exciting place to be and I get quite a bit of game play. There are a few players who stand out in our team that are definitely worth looking out for, including A McCarthy who never fails to impress us with her hockey skills and sheer hard hits sending the ball up the pitch. C Watthey who is an amazing defender, very rarely letting a ball pass her and G Garner for her outstanding effort in every match. Finally, I must give a special mention to R Allen who is a solid, consistent and determined goalie. On Monday 13 December, we play St Joseph's College and I am most looking forward to the blast of the pre-match music - this always motivates us. I'm looking forward to having a good match and for our team to come away with a good win.
M Fisher, Shiplake College Girls' Hockey Team Captain
The fixtures of the 2021 season have been awesome experiences, with every single Shiplake girl stepping on the pitch and giving their absolute best, regardless of the score. Shiplake hockey shows the passion and solidarity of all the girls at this school, with each girl never hesitating to support one another and face any challenge, no matter how challenging. I play centre-midfield but my past defensive experience helps in the tougher matches when I need to get back. We have a strong and varied team this year, with I Wood, E Browne, and G Garner determined up front, M Fisher running circles around people in midfield and E Lambert, C Watthey, E Young and M Adams being absolutely fearless in defence. We don’t have a weak aspect to our squad - with the addition of our talented keeper R Allen, every match has been exciting and has not had the ball stay in any one end for long! I think Hockey Night Lights will be a good opportunity for us hockey girls not only to exhibit our hard work this season, but also as a last hurrah, for 13 December will not only be the last match of this year, but perhaps the last match ever for some of our Year 13s!
A McCarthy, Vice-Captain
One thing I admire most about our team is that we show up to every fixture with music pumping and a positive attitude. Everyone puts in 100% effort from the first second to the last, and our determination has resulted in a great improvement in all of hockey abilities. For me, the player of the season has to be R Allen - our amazing goalkeeper. I honestly do not know where we would be without her! My position is centre defence and I am often working hard and calling out to other girls on the pitch as defenders get the best view of the game. If you’re watching tonight, I would keep an eye out for A McCarthy as her stick skills are amazing and she is a vital player in our team as she can get the ball all the way down the pitch, weaving between players. I can’t wait for us girls to get together again for one last hockey game and really give it our all!
E Lambert, Vice-Captain
