The return to College has seen a simultaneous return to a full calendar of fixtures, and the Shiplake teams have been ready and raring to go. Despite training only being in its early days, the boys showed a remarkable effort across the teams and started the Autumn terms fixtures with excellent wins across the board! Let’s hope that this sets a precedent for the following matches.
Rugby
1st XV 38 – 17 Windsor Boys
Pupils Charlie Sichel, Billy Sayers and Callum Heppner-Logan give the following report on the first Shiplake 1st XV match of the Autumn term:
‘The Shiplake 1st XV played their first home fixture of the season against Windsor Boys. Shiplake started in a positive mood with an early try from Callum Heppner-Logan. However, with some loose defence and poor discipline Windsor worked their way back into the game with two tries in quick succession. Shiplake returned from this with a fierce attitude, offering excellent off-loading between Toby Orchard and Billy Sayers. This resulted in to Zach Heppner-Logan dashing through the gap to score under the posts, and George Docwra scoring on the stroke of half time, with a little assistance from the Shiplake backline.
The second half saw Shiplake came out fighting again, with an excellent snipe from Billy Sayers to score Shiplake’s fourth try of the game. However, Windsor refused to be easily beaten, testing out the Shiplake defence and discipline and leading to them scoring from a driving maul in the corner and Jack Peck receiving a yellow card. More hard collisions were to come, but Shiplake proved to strong, sealing the game in the last ten minutes. The closing moments of the match saw some excellent link play allowing Charlie Sichel to cross over the line twice, with the final score finishing 38-17 to Shiplake. Overall it wasn’t the strongest match played, but we are confident that with some training this is a promising platform from which to go forward.'
2nd XV 44 – 5 Windsor Boys
Mr David Sharkey provides the following report from the 2nd’s match:
‘The seconds got their first game of the season off to a terrible start as they conceded a try within 45 seconds of kick-off. It was hard to imagine as Shiplake trotted behind the posts shell-shocked that Windsor would not cross for a score for the rest of the game. Having woken up, first half scores from Ollie Potter and Rob Downing helped Shiplake to get the upper hand over their opponents. A try on his Shiplake debut for George Gundry from 50 metres out was a particular highlight of the first half!
Despite not crossing the whitewash, Windsor boys threatened the Shiplake line at the start of the second half but some excellent tackling from Harry Emmanual and Angus Munro meant the defences were not breached. With the scores at 17-5 in the first ten minutes of the second half, the next score would prove decisive and some excellent linking play from Turner and Greenaway meant Shiplake sent Matt Godwin and Rob Downing over for scores. Some creative link play between half backs Andrew Fearns and Conor Cummings helped to put Callum James over in the corner and this put the score well beyond the reach of Windsor at this stage. A high scoring opener for the 2s; long may it continue! Congratulations especially to Ollie Potter, Callum James, Matt Godwin, Rob Downing, George Gundry and Jack Turner for scoring in the match.’
U15A 42 - 21 Windsor Boys
Mr Richard Curtis provides the following report of the first match for the U15A team:
‘The first game of the season always has its teething problems and this match against Windsor proved to be no exception. Lots of handling errors and little in terms of communication made fast flowing rugby difficult to achieve. Having said that, a 42-21 victory indicates that there were a great many positives to take from the game. Marcus Brown and Aelfric Philliskirk were in imperious form in both defence and attack respectively; and it was pleasing to see all clientele relishing the prospect of playing some open rugby. The day’s target was to ‘outscore’ the opposition and that was duly achieved. A good start to a promising term.’
U15B 72 – 5 Windsor Boys
The following report is provided by Mr Alex Duncan:
‘The U15B team got off to a winning start in their new capacity as the ‘Shiplake Swarm’ after saying a fond farewell to Mr Pete Muhley and Mr Duncan Miller’s ‘Honey Badgers’. The game, played with the backdrop of Windsor Castle on a historic day for its most famous part-time resident was an enjoyable one! It was a case of new beginnings but similar stories, as Ben Dinsdale scored four tried in a comfortable 72 – 5 win. The game was very one-sided, and it was difficult to judge the quality of some performances as against a stronger team the group will be tested in many other areas. Attacking play and strong running were the positives, whilst tackling and defensive unity were the areas for development. Man of the match goes jointly to Ben Dinsdale and Sam Hargreaves.’
U14A 45 -12 Windsor Boys
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt offers the following report from another winning match for the Shiplake teams:
‘Despite the fact that this was the first game this team had played together you would not have known that we had had only a handful of training sessions. The rugby in the first fifteen minutes was quite exceptional, and meant that after ten minutes tries from Adam Porter, Harvey Greenaway, Jerome Rocks and Max Smith had opened up a 28-0 lead. The ability of the players to make the correct decision in and around the tackle area being the most important factor in allowing us to play with the fluidity and pace that was being exhibited. Many promising signs from almost the whole squad ensued but a lack of precision once some wholesale changes were made evidenced that we have much to work on as a squad. A further two tries from Adam Porter and one from Barny Rivett meant that Shiplake won 45-12 but much credit must be given to Windsor Boys for maintaining their commitment throughout the game. Bigger challenges lie in wait but this was an altogether pleasing start.’
U14B 76 -0 Windsor Boys
Mr Duncan Miller provides the following report:
‘The Under 14 B team got off to a winning start away at Windsor Boys - winning 76-0. The team performed well throughout the match, with both forwards and backs contributing to the final try tally. Noteworthy displays came from Charlie McCormack and Tom Lenski, with Sam Rogers Kicking his goals well from Stand off.’
