The Spring Term sport season got underway this week with fixtures in hockey, football, netball and rugby. The Headmaster was delighted to see three senior teams fielded in hockey and football, in addition to many pupils involved in senior rowing training; an impressive feat for a school of our size. Furthermore, there were a record number of girls involved in netball, with almost half of Gilson House stepping onto the court.
Hockey
Shiplake 1st XI 0-1 Lord Wandsworth College
The 1st XI began their campaign at home to Lord Wandsworth College, and it was obvious to see that the boys were excited for the hockey season to get under way. Once the umpires were kitted up, radios and all, the whistle signalled the start of the game.
Under the glow of the Reading HC floodlights, Shiplake made a strong start to the game; dominating possession and creating a few early chances. Shiplake’s front line of Rory O’Conor, Dom Allen and Tom McCooke were looking lively and a half chance slipped away from McCooke without him testing the Lord Wandsworth goalkeeper. Liam Peachy was on fine form and made several crucial interceptions and tackles, showing the desire and commitment of a young Terry Butcher. Between Peachy and some fine saves from goalkeeper Jack Tooley, Shiplake looked watertight in defence. However, despite their early presence in the game, Shiplake could not seize the initiative and Lord Wandsworth began to steal back some possession in the middle of the park. The ever industrious Yeem Chanthanawan did well to protect the defence and also posed a threat going forward, alongside Harry Marsden, who was also looking dangerous running with the ball. After a fast paced first half, the teams came in at half time 0-0, shortly after Barney Aldridge had collected a green card for an overzealous shoulder barge.
Shiplake started slowly in the second half and had much to thank Aldridge and Jonny Meadows for, with the pair regularly frustrating the opposition. However, with the legs of Shiplake tiring, Lord Wandsworth took the lead with a well placed shot into the bottom corner of Jack Tooley’s net. Shiplake didn’t drop their heads and began to get a foothold back in the game, pressing the opposition hard and turning the ball over regularly. Billy Sayers looked impressive up front, running at the Lord Wandsworth defence with real purpose and winning a few short corners, however Shiplake lacked a killer touch in front of goal and the final whistle brought proceedings to an end at 0-1. The boys were disappointed and frustrated but can have a lot to look forward to in what could be a very promising season ahead.
Man of the Match: Liam Peachy
Mr Tom Walter
Shiplake 2nd XI 1-1 Lord Wandsworth College
This was the first match for the 2nd XI having not played together before as a team! We started brightly with some good attacking play from Billy Sayers, Henry Atkinson and George Docwra. LWC responded however and it required some stout defending from our stalwarts Jason Chan, Chris Baker and our skipper Charlie Marsden to keep them out of our D.
Towards the end of the first half, some continuous pressure from us was rewarded with a goal by us from Jamie Lewis after a goalmouth scramble. We shaded the second half with some good link up play down our right flank, thanks to the silky skills of Orla Brown, and we should have put another two or three goals away but our finishing in their D let us down. A breakaway goal against the run of play allowed LWC back into the game and it ended up 1-1 at full time. Overall it was an encouraging start to the season and it was good to see all players give 100% throughout the entire match.
Dr Bob Snellgrove
Shiplake Junior Colts 3-4 Lord Wandsworth College
After a two-hour wait to get on the astro a real ding-dong affair ensued in every respect of the name; the crisp passing of the Lord Wandsworth team up went up against the counter-attacking threat of the Shiplake Junior Colts.
Shiplake conceded an early goal when caught in possession in their own quarter but soon came back to level at 1-1 following some fine movement down the right. Another slack piece of defending led to the second Wandsworth goal and we went into the break 1-2 down.
The power and pace of Ryan Jones and James Smith proved irresistible at the start of the second period and Shiplake scored two goals in quick succession and led 3-2 going into the final ten minutes. Unfortunately, more pressure in our final third from the opposition’s front men ensured that Lord Wandsworth ended up with two quick-fire goals in that period.
A good first-up performance but cool heads under pressure would have seen a much better result for the Junior Colts.
Mr Richard Curtis
Netball
Shiplake College 3-21 Magdalen College School
The scoreline may not have been in their favour, but it was certainly not all bad news for the netball girls. The hosts fielded their largest ever squad of 16 players, with almost an entirely different team taking to the court in each quarter. Many of the players lack experience and are sure to improve markedly in the coming weeks.
The girls were also sporting an impressive new playing strip, and have plenty to look forward to for the season ahead.
Rugby
Shiplake U12A 15-15 Bearwood College
After a short bus journey to Bearwood on a cold January afternoon, the U12 boys started the match off well with some powerful forward runs and excellent rucking. Max Way opened the scoring with an excellent individual effort after showing real pace. Sustained pressure by the forwards led to huge gaps out wide and Max Way found another small gap and ran in unopposed.
After a strong first half and clear dominance in the ruck and in open play, Zach Kennedy make a 15m run in to score under the posts. Shiplake U12 went into the half time break 15-0 up. Bearwood made a few substitutions at half time, and due to lack of players needed to bring in a couple of U13 players. This gave the U12 side a more physical challenge and some direct running and a missed tackle by Shiplake led to the first try for Bearwood.
Shiplake held onto the ball well, controlling the game in the opposition 22 and against the run of play, Bearwood collected up a spilt ball and ran a length of the pitch try to bring the score to 10-15. Bearwood scored again very quickly to take the match to the last 20 minutes at 15-15. Both sides defended well and attacked where possible, and some good tactical kicking left the match as a draw.
There has been huge progress made by the U12 boys in recent weeks, developing as individuals and as a side.
Mr Sam Beckett
Football
Shiplake 1st XI 2-7 Reading School
Shiplake faced a tough assignment in their first fixture of the football season as they came up against a very strong Reading School side. Despite holding their own for long periods, the maroon and whites were taught a lesson in clinical finishing, as their opponents rattled in seven goals to give a one-sided feel to the scoreline.
Coaches Mr Ebbage and Mr McSweeny are keen to blend with youth with experience this term, and fielded an experimental starting XI featuring four debutants. Year 11 pupils Christian Miller, Callum Murray and Cameron Goodliffe deserve great credit for earning a call up to the senior side after impressing in last week’s trials.
Perhaps suffering a little from nerves, it was the away side who made the stronger start with Shiplake immediately pegged back in their own half. As Shiplake struggled to clear the ball, Reading earned a succession of corners and eventually one paid off with a close range header breaking the deadlock. Shiplake’s brand of possession football then came to the fore, as captain Freddie Ireland and Markland Tidswell began to pull the strings in central midfield. Right winger Callum Murray looked particularly dangerous with several menacing runs, but the positive play lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.
Shiplake were dealt a major blow on 20 minutes when star striker Ruairi Van Raalte suffered a nasty cut to his head and was forced to leave the field. Just minutes later, a further tactical reshuffle was required after stand-in forward Markus Grun suffered an ankle injury. As the boys adjusted to their new positions, Reading took advantage with a slick passing move leading to their second goal. Moments before half time Reading effectively killed the game with their third goal from another corner. Welsh House goalkeeper Callum Heppner-Logan made his second outstanding save of the afternoon but unfortunately could not keep out the rebound from point-blank range.
A lesser side may have crumbled after half time, but Shiplake kept going and most importantly did not deviate from their impressive passing style. This gradually began to yield chances, with a fizzing drive from Tidswell and jinking run from Matt Pollard almost bringing Shiplake back into the match. The injury crisis created opportunities for further substitutes to enter the fray, including an impressive late cameo from Year 11 Elliot Whittingham. Despite leaking further goals, including two unfortunate penalties, Freddie Ireland was able to grab two late consolations for his side, which was no less than they deserved.
Despite the scoreline, there were many positives to take from the game, including several strong individual performances. The boys have already responded well to the defeat, working hard on a new zonal marking system ahead of next week’s match against Cokethorpe School.
Man of the Match – Callum Murray
Shiplake 2nd XI 1-2 Reading School
A late winner from Reading School cost Shiplake a point in their first match of the season. With several senior players eager to impress and earn a spot in the 1st XI, Shiplake made a bright start and edged the first half. Alex Ward’s close range finish was cancelled out, however, and Reading grew stronger in the second half and managed to grab the victory.
Shiplake 3rd XI 4-1 Reading School
Shiplake College 3rd XI got their season off to a flying start with a well earned victory over local rivals Reading School. In fact the game could not have started any better for the home side as they opened the scoring with a long range effort from Johnny Graham in the first minute. His 30 yard shot caught the keeper unaware and Shiplake were 1-0 up.
Reading were eager to work their back into the match and despite dominating possession, it was James Sloman who pounced on a loose ball in the box and made it 2-0 to the hosts. After half-time, Reading again were testing the Shiplake defence and keeper James Martin was forced into a number of quality saves.
As the game moved into the final few minutes Reading managed to grab the goal that had eluded them so far and were now just a goal behind. The tension of the home support was palpable until Johnny Graham stepped up to curl in a free kick into the top corner to restore Shiplake's two goal cushion.
Rather than rest on their laurels, the industrious 3s surged forward and, after some exceptional passing between impact substitution Daniel DiGiulio and frontman Ben Arnold, Shiplake compounded Reading's misery with a goal by Ben in the last minute making it 4-1.
Shiplake U14 0-2 Oratory School
On Wednesday 14th January Shiplake U14A played their first fixture of the 2015 season. The game started at a frantic pace with neither team able to keep hold of the ball in midfield. As the game settled down Shiplake took the upper hand with several waves of attack which sadly came to nothing. Slightly against the run of play Oratory looped a cross into the box and due the a little disorganisation in defence, managed to nod home an easy header.
As the half wore on the physical presence and organisation of the Oratory defence proved difficult to breakdown despite some good interplay down the left side between Luke Tremayne and Callum Theodorou. The best chance of the half fell to Lucas Brooks whose headed effort just dropped wide of the post from a great set piece. Just before the stoke of half time a speculative shot on goal found its way beyond the reach of Ben Dinsdale’s glove and nestled in the top corner.
After several half time substitutions and tactical changes Shiplake had more of the ball and some good passages of play. However, the Oratory backline held firm and proved difficult to over come. Despite some penetrating runs in behind the defence and a couple of long range shots, Shiplake were unable to score although the rhythm of play improved massively particularly in the last 20 minutes. The final score finished 2-0 to Oratory.
