It's another packed Sports Report this week with many wins to report on! In rugby sevens, there was tournament success for our U16 and U18 boys and in netball, there was further success with our U18 girls doing well at LWC's Netball tournament. And in football, there were block fixtures and many, many goals to report on.
Football
Boys' 1st XI vs Holyport
This was the game which would decide the two best ranked teams in the league before going into the playoff games. Unfortunately for Shiplake, it was Holyport who came out on top being more clinical on the day. The game started very evenly with both willing to play out from the back to try and create an attacking opportunity however after a well-timed press from Holyport, it saw them catch Shiplake out, winning the ball high and finishing accurately beyond the helpless keeper. Shiplake were soon able to respond after some good build up down the right allowed for a cut back, which was well finished by C Nash-Steer. However, right before half time, Holyport were able to regain the lead again pouncing on Shiplake trying to play the ball out from the back and able to tuck home from the resultant turnover of the ball. At half time, the message was to stay positive and to utilise the space out wide. This messaged was well received and Shiplake started to play with a lot more width to their game. Despite this, there was very few clear-cut chances created, resulting in a 2 - 1 win to Holyport.
Boys' 1st XV vs Pangbourne College
After a disappointing result on Wednesday, the 1st XI was able to react and get back to winning ways. From the first minute to last, Shiplake dominated the ball and chances with some poor finishing preventing the scoreline being more convincing. With the intensity of the Shiplake press, it meant Pangbourne struggled to play out and allowed Shiplake to capitalise and make it 1-0. The second came soon after as after some excellent build-up play and a quick switch allowed L Spence to draw a penalty from the opposition, which A Mullens brilliantly dispatched. However, before half time, Pangbourne were able to get into the game after a long ball in behind and cut back made it 2-1. The second half restarted, and the game carried on in the same manner with numerous chances being created. Eventually the lead was extended to 3-1 after an overload and cut back from the left channel. Overall, it was a very positive and fun morning of football, with just a need to work on our finishing going forwards.
Boys' 2nd XI vs Pangbourne College
A very commanding performance from a team very much in high spirits. Although, it was Pangbourne that took the lead after a long ball in behind caught out the Shiplake back line and allowed their striker to slot home. Shiplake soon recovered with a very similar goal of their own and from that point onwards managed to take a grasp of the game. A brilliant header from a corner made it 2-1 before two very quick C Zhou goals made it 4-1 Shiplake. Straight after half time, Shiplake got a fifth with R O'Boyle lobbing the ball over the Pangbourne keeper, before then O Palmer Page added a sixth with a great striker into the top left corner.
Boys' 2nd XI vs Reddam House
This was a very competitive game of football that saw some excellent attacking displays and some very poor defending at times. Reddam started the brighter taking a 2-goal lead before Shiplake were able to pull one back just before half-time. After half time, Reddam regained the front foot making it 3-1. However, the boys stayed composed and through building on the left channel, very quickly were able to level the game. Although it would not stay 3-3 for long as soon after, a deflected header from a corner gave Reddam the lead and the resulting win.
Boys' 3rd XV vs Pangbourne College
An overall great team performance by the Shiplake 3rd XI led to a very commanding win with a clean sheet being the highlight of the game. Shiplake were very solid at the back with Pangbourne having very few chances in the game. At the other end, it was clear to see the shooting practice was paying off with all five goals expertly dispatched into the bottom corners of the goal.
Boys' 4th XV vs Pangbourne College
The 4ths broke a small losing streak with a great victory against Pangbourne College. Shiplake started off well with a quick goal from E Chalfont who went soon to have the game of his life scoring five of the eight goals and being a consistent pressing threat up front. Shortly after, another was scored by E Chalfont who followed up from a parry by the keeper after a great shot from range from K Marsh. After that, the 4ths' goal of the season was scored by J Scotchbrook after an excellent through ball through the legs of the Pangbourne defender from K Marsh. E Chalfont then got his hat-trick after pressuring the GK who rushed out to get the ball before he then got his fourth of the match just before half time to take the score to 5-0. Unfortunately, after half-time, Shiplake looked to slightly lack energy in midfield and Pangbourne managed to keep good pressure up, eventually winning and scoring from a free kick just outside the box to take the game to 5-1. This however seemed to be the shock Shiplake needed to regain focus as we got another goal from J Vivian, with K Marsh and E Chalfont also scoring in the second half to take the final score to 8-1. Overall, a great game and good time had by all.
Boys' U15A vs Pangbourne College
This was a very exciting and entertaining fixture for all involved with both teams' intent on trying to outscore the other. Within the first ten minutes of the game, it was clear both teams were very open and had realised that attacking down the channels enabled the teams to get into some great scoring opportunities. Pangbourne scored first in the game, but Shiplake soon responded with a brilliant team goal after some good work from S Crisford down the right channel. Just before half-time, we managed to take the lead with a lovely strike nestling into the bottom corner. After half-time, Shiplake stayed on top and saw J Andrews score arguably the goal of the season after his right footed half-volley from the edge of the box nestled right into the top corner. A fourth was then later added from a corner. However, after a few minutes of lacking concentration, Pangbourne were able to score two more making the final score 4-3.
Boys' U15As vs ACS International
Despite the heavy scoreline, this was a game that was very even with Shiplake's slow start to the game costing them dearly. This resulted in three very quick goals being scored by ACS after some good build up play and static defending. A resulting corner saw ACS go 4-0 up moving into half time. Shiplake started a lot brighter in the second half with a renewed energy about themselves although against the run of play, ACS went up the other end and scored with a very neat finish. Shiplake started creating some chances themselves and were unfortunate due to some great goalkeeping to not be awarded with at least one goal from the game.
Boys' U15B vs Pangbourne College
A brilliant win for Shiplake U15Bs in what was a very even and competitive game of football. The game started with both teams struggling to get any real possession on the ball. It was only for a few good A Parmar saves that the game remained goalless at half-time. However, after a half-time break and instructions from the coach to use the widths of the pitch a lot more, Shiplake soon managed to find a lot of joy with all four goals coming from the right channel of the pitch.
Boys' U15Bs vs ACS International
A brilliant win for the U15Bs who fought hard against a very willing ACS side. The game was full of chances as both teams were able to use their speed in behind to cause each other's defences problems. A terrific goal by E Tavinor was a highlight and capped off a brilliant team performance.
Boys' U14A vs Pangbourne College
In glorious morning sunshine, we were slow out of the blocks. Gifting possession one time too many, we went 1-0 down to a bullet hit from outside the box. However, as the first half wore on, we got into our stride. A lovely 1-2 from I Roberts and H Sargent created the equaliser from the latter. This was followed shortly afterwards by the goal of the game – a wonderful header from T Steward following excellent work down the right by A Webb and I Roberts. Throughout the second half, we were in control with I Roberts adding a superb finish to a cross from A Webb on the right. Pangbourne had a great chance to score with a one on one, but keeper H Perkins stood big and tall to block with his legs. This was a key moment as Shiplake resumed control with lovely flowing football. The icing was added in stoppage time after J Filippetto was upended in the box and H Sargent smashed home the penalty. After a sluggish start, this was a dominant second half with some fine possession-based football. J Filippetto was Player of the Match for his energy, effort, pressing and reading of the game.
Boys' U13As vs Gordon’s School
Shiplake put on another outstanding performance against a very tough to beat Gordon's side. The first 20 minutes proved to be very even with both teams having spells of possession and proving capable of catching the other off-guard with a counterattack. However, the deadlock was eventually broken with some brilliant pass and move play. Shiplake soon took control of the game, and a brilliant set piece put Shiplake two goals ahead. This momentum continued with H Fielder scoring a lovely left footed strike to make it 3-0. Gordon's did manage to pull one back, but Shiplake maintained control of the game and further extended their lead just before half time. The second half soon restarted and Shiplake played most of the game in Gordon's half with the energy levels of Shiplake proving too much. A final fifth goal was then added towards the latter stages to cap off what was an energetic and great team display.
Boys' U13Bs vs Gordon’s School
After a good run of results, Shiplake looked confident on the ball and were able to move the ball quickly into dangerous areas. Despite better possession, Gordon's defended well and limited the score line to 1-0 at half-time. Credit to J Hunt and T Maskell, who were rock solid centre-backs and thwarted any attacks from getting into shooting range.
After a half-time tactical team talk from B Stokes, the boys started pressing higher up the pitch, and the Gordon's defence started to look shaken. J Rawlinson found space on the wing and finished well, F Greenway bundled in a goal mouth scramble, and M Brown enjoyed a hat-trick. Shiplake looked experienced and confident against a 'C' team, but it was good to know that the effort in training and supporting each other, combined with passion for the game make are fine ingredients for success.
Boys' U13Bs vs Cokethorpe School
After some coaching from the 1st XI, Shiplake tried out a 4-4-2 lineup with T Burrow back in the gloves, J Hunt as centre back, and J Rawlinson on the left wing. Some great passing from the wings and silky dribbling skills from F Greenway set up G Leach for a brace in the first half, as well as forcing plenty of saves from their keeper.
The second half was a more open game, but as gaps opened up in their defence, the shots kept coming and so did the goals. A Gern-Gross added to his season's tally, then O Laventure chipped the keeper, before F Greenway made a quality dash into the box to score. E English rounded off the afternoon with a fabulous finish on the counterattack.
Boys' U12Bs vs Cokethorpe School
Shiplake started very brightly with some good passing and movement on display. This saw Shiplake take an early lead when a ball fired across the box was tapped in at the back post. The momentum Shiplake had continued and soon after, Shiplake were rewarded with a 2-0 half time lead after a brilliant finish from the corner. However, after half time, the game definitely swung with Cokethorpe manging to get on top after some early Shiplake possession. This resulted in Cokethorpe scoring four goals in quick succession to take a 4-2 lead. However, the boys' heads never dropped and continued to push for a way back into the game, which then resulted in Cokethorpe adding a late fifth goal on the counter.
Netball
1st VII vs Reddam House
Shiplake’s 1st VII team put on a fantastic performance to secure a well-deserved 34-17 win. Although the teams were even in the first quarter, we pushed on and from there, our determination, great teamwork and hard work paid off as we were dominating both defence and attack. This took us into a strong lead which puts our goal difference even higher to maintain top of the league. Well done to Player of the Match T Gillard, Players’ Player A O'Shea, and Coach’s Player M Mundy.
Report: M Mundy, 1st VII Captain
2nd VII vs Reddam House
Last week, the 2nd VII played Reddam House. We started off with a very strong start, scoring the majority of our goals in the first quarter with amazing shooting from F Rait and F Fisher. We were able to repeatedly gain the ball back in the centre with good attacking from F Dix and E Fisher. As the game continued, we held our own, not letting our opposition beat us with amazing determination from the team despite the hot weather. The final score was a 30-17 Shiplake win. Player of the Match was A Flower, Players’ Player was F Rait, and Coach’s Player was A Richardson.
Report: M Rider, 2nd VII Captain
Rugby Sevens
It was double delight for our U18s and U16s with two teams in action over the weekend, picking up wins and trophies. First, on Friday 7 March, the 1st VII was crowned Society of Heads 7s Champions. Then the following day on Saturday 8 March, the U16s competed at the Warwick School Annual 7s Competition and were crowned Shield winners. In the knockout stage, the Shiplake side overcame Princethorpe College in the semi-finals 35-12, before beating Ysgol Dyffryn Aman 31-7 in the final. Well done to the following pupils who represented:
- U16s: O Woodward, S Baker, E Fulton, F Holgate, W Huckle, S Lingard, K O'Connor, H Terrington, M Crane, J Morgan, J Calow, I Doherty, J Henshall
- U18s: W Rider, H Benton, L Spence, O Perkins, A Mullens, M Taylor-FitzGibbon, F Hawkes, E Jones, S Crehan Mills, Z McConkey, O Morris