Netball
Shiplake’s netball team faced up against Bearwood College in their final netball game of the season. With a full team and three subs, Shiplake were always going to throw everything into this match.
Shiplake’s starting line up in the first quarter saw captain Sophie Arnold playing slightly out of position at GS due to an injury. Chloe Goodman played at GA, a combination that hasn’t had much match practice but both players embraced the change and managed to hold their own with accurate passing and good communication.
Libby Harman and Hannah Cartwright comfortably passed up and down the court ensuring Shiplake’s shooters were not alone, offering support when needed, with fast and accurate passes straight into the D.
Emily Holloway played at GK alongside Lucy Collings (GD). The new defensive duo turned Bearwood’s centre over twice to increase Shiplake’s score. Annabel Seward (WD) managed to intercept many Bearwood passes to help Shiplake’s attack further improve their goal difference.
In the second half, Meg Barron-Cutts came on at GS and proved her shooting practice had paid off by scoring under intense pressure from the Bearwood’s defence. Further substitutions changed Shiplake’s defensive line up and they had to work hard to prevent Bearwood levelling the scores.
Player of the match Libby Harman worked tirelessly up and down the court fighting for all loose balls and with Sophie now playing back in her preferred position at GA, Shiplake managed to score a further 10 goals to earn a 24-21 victory. It was an excellent performance and result to finish the season off.
Hockey
1st XI:
Going into the last match of the season Shiplake 1st XI were hoping for one final win to wrap up the season. Mill Hill, however, had other ideas and instantly put Shiplake under a lot of pressure with a high press and quick chasing down. Shiplake found it hard to keep track of the Mill Hill attackers who were playing high and wide and probing the defence regularly. Some scrappy goals for Mill Hill followed and Shiplake went into half time 4–0 down. This could have signalled the start of a rout however Shiplake came out in the second half and pressed back at Mill Hill and quickly found they were not as good as first thought. Some excellent movement in midfield and regular spreading of play allowed Shiplake to play a more attacking game and they regularly had Mill Hill pegged back inside their 25. A goal scored by Yeam Chanthanwan put Shiplake 1–0 up for the half and gave us something to play for. Unfortunately Shiplake couldn’t keep Mill Hill out for the whole of the second half and the game finished 5–1 to Mill Hill, however a much better performance in the second half showed what the team is capable of and with almost all players returning next year there is plenty to look forward to.
U14As:
Mill Hill’s superior pace and physicality saw them gain a quick advantage following some clearance work for the Shiplake contingent. However, the U14s rallied, to level following a good short corner routine slotted home by Darius Braun. Further sloppy play allowed Mill Hill to take a 1-2 advantage going into half time. However, it was clear that captain Tim Herbert’s team were starting to break down the Mill Hill defence and shortly after the break they equalised after a blistering counterattack finished by James Smith.
In pressing to finish off the opposition, the Shiplake defence got caught napping by the pace of Mill Hill’s right winger. He calmly went around the back and slipped the ball across to a support player to score unmarked. Further attacks from the Shiplake U14s were repelled as they desperately sought an equaliser but another breakaway effort left the final score 2-4.
Coach Mr Curtis described the match as “a really impressive performance but definitely one that got away!”
Other results:
Shiplake 2nd XI 1-3 Mill Hill School
Football
1st XI:
The Shiplake College 1st XI succumbed to the issues they have had all season away from home when they found themselves 3-0 down within 10mins against Leighton Park on Wednesday. The Shiplake team do not travel well and conceded goals from silly mistakes early on once again. They then started playing and were more than equal to the home side despite conceding a fourth before half time.
The team were tasked with winning the second half and they went out and gave it their all. Suilven Wagner-Piggott & Ruaridh Scott were the pick of a much improved team performance in the second half. Charlie Procter put in the best performance of any player all season from right back. Freddie Ireland, Markland Tidswell and Markus Grunn all had chances to get goals back but the Leighton Park defence stayed strong. No further goals were scored in the second half showing that we were an equal team but it was too late, the damage was done. Plenty to think about next season!
U16A:
The U16As played the final game of what turned out to be an undefeated season at home to Leighton Park on Wednesday 2nd April. The game was a little scrappy from the start and was fairly evenly matched, Leighton Park using their physicality to their advantage. However, as the game settled into a rhythm Shiplake’s passing game came into its own, winning the ball through Adam Hunt and James Dinsdale in midfield and distributing it out to either wing.
The scoring was opened 15 minutes in and with it the flood gates, as two goals swiftly followed and within 20 minutes Shiplake where comfortably bossing the game at 3-0. As confidence and composure on the ball grew wave after wave of well worked Shiplake attack marauded forward. Several more goals followed but the opposition never gave up and just before the stroke of half time they clawed a goal back. The half finished 8-1 to the home side.
The second half saw several changes to personnel, most notably at the back. The game was still in Shiplake’s favour but not quite so one sided with plenty of battles in the middle of the park. All credit to Leighton Park who put up a good fight until the end, however, they could not stop the U16s adding to their goal tally. The game finished 11-1 to Shiplake and they had completed a goal filled, tournament winning undefeated season.
Other results:
Shiplake 2nd XI 1-4 Leighton Park School
