The last week of fixtures before half term started, and what a week it was! Facing teams from local rivals Cranleigh School made for some mixed results; the 1st XV walked away victorious, whilst the U14A team unfortunately broke their winning streak. Nonetheless, the determination was there in abundance, which resulted in some very close matches. The staff football team also continued their season with an entertaining draw against Amec Foster Wheeler.
Rugby
1st XV 21-14 Cranleigh School
'After a long bus journey, the Shiplake team arrived at Cranleigh School eager to get the game underway, and, with some injured players now returning, the team was a good sized squad. With only a 10 minute warm up in hand before the kickoff whistle, all heads needed to be switched on. The match started strongly for Shiplake, as they gained possession of the restart. With some good positioning from both back and forwards, and top communication skills, we saw our first try over the line from Finn Arbuckle. This quick first try was what we needed to keep our heads in the game. For the next 10 minutes the game was slow, with both sides equal in possession until a small break in our defensive line allowed them to play the ball and score in the corner. The score was now 7-7, and we had to up the work rate once more. From their penalty kick that didn't quite make touch, the ball landed in the hands of Hassan Rubbani, who took it upon himself to finish a great try, leaving the score at half-time 14-7 to Shiplake.
With Shiplake being strongly in control of the game for most of the first half, we knew this had to continue. Shiplake had the ball once more and continued to play with strong phase work, and good width from the backs. We saw our third try come from Charlie Sichel. With only a few minutes left of the game, Shiplake stayed strong and held Cranleigh off. When the final whistle went, the score sat at Shiplake 21- Cranleigh 14. This was a great win for Shiplake, and just what we needed before the break. A brilliant effort from all players, and a fully deserved win!'
Pupil Charlie Sichel
U15A 12-36 Cranleigh School
‘Facing one of the top rugby schools in the country, Shiplake were always going to be up against it. Cranleigh lined up with their strongest squad to kick off the fixture, and quickly ran in three unanswered tries. Following the opposition’s change in personnel, and some equitable refereeing, Shiplake bounced back and - although they could not quite finish off a couple of great passages of play in the latter stages of the first period - the fire returned to their bellies. This promised for a more exciting, and well-fought second half!
Starting to come under a certain amount of pressure, the Cranleigh coaches brought back all their big guns and quickly resumed ascendancy with two more scores. However, it was Shiplake who finished the stronger with several forays deep into opposition territory, leading to two well worked scores of their own. Great ball retention and lots of pressure in the dying moments of the game left Shiplake on top, but with unfortunately too much to do to overcome the day’s opponents.
A strong performance overall that ended in a disappointing result, but has given the team the determination needed when they return from the holidays!’
Mr Richard Curtis
U14A 7-14 Cranleigh School
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt provides the following report:
‘This really was a bruising encounter between two teams who were unbeaten up until this point. Once the game started you could sense the intent of both teams and several impressively physical exchanges took place. Cranleigh enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but Shiplake - through the immense defensive efforts of Max Smith in particular - weathered wave after wave of attack. Adam Porter and Callum Creighton kicked intelligently. The Cranleigh forwards tried to impose themselves, but some excellent defence at guard from Isaac Beasley and Josh Walne stopped them at source. At half time the score was 0-0.
The deadlock was maintained until midway through the second half, when Cranleigh finally breached the Shiplake defence with a powerful maul. A shortened lineout soon after gave Shiplake the chance to reply. A training ground move gave Jerome Rocks room at the front of the lineout and then some awesome footwork and pace allowed him to break free to score under the posts. With just five minutes remaining, Cranleigh worked themselves downfield and their large pack went to work with their pick and go game. Small territorial gains eventually led to the Shiplake try line and a big hand reached over for the decisive score. The spirit and determination exhibited by the Shiplake team was excellent throughout and the effort levels meant that every pupil who was involved in the fixture can be very proud of themselves and their teammates.’
Football
Shiplake College Staff 3-3 Amec Foster Wheeler
A 90th minute equaliser left the Shiplake staff heartbroken in an epic encounter against engineering firm Amec Foster Wheeler. The maroons arrived at Reading Town FC with a strong squad, ready to make amends for a heavy defeat against the same opposition in August. Opposing striker Julio Andipieters grabbed a hat trick in that game, but Shiplake's centre half pairing of Mr Sharkey and Mr Walter ensured there would be no repeat as a series of strong tackles kept the star man quiet.
English teacher Mr Miller produced another virtuoso performance in midfield, driving his side forward at every opportunity. Neat interplay between Miller, Mallins and Ebun-Cole yielded Shiplake's first chance, but McSweeny dragged a shot wide of the left-hand post. Ebun-Cole's trickery down the right caused more problems, while a fantastic cross from Mr Rowlinson narrowly evaded the head of Mr Moffatt.
It was against the run of play that the visitors took the lead. A through ball from the right wing found the onrushing run of Barrett, who finished superbly with a lofted dink over Mr Reynolds. Lesser sides may have crumbled at that stage, but the famous Shiplake spirit kicked in as a comeback reminiscent of Liverpool in Istanbul ensued. Staff debutant Mr Howorth, fresh off the substitutes' bench, almost scored with his first touch as he controlled a beautifully weighted cross, only for Foster Wheeler's defender to steel the ball away at the vital moment. It was Howorth's enduring work rate which brought the equaliser. After the Foster Wheeler goalkeeper failed to deal with a routine through ball, the Welsh Housemaster pounced and made no mistake with an assured finish from 1 yard out. Game on.
The pendulum of momentum had swung firmly in Shiplake's favour. Ebbage and Ebun-Cole forced a series of corners down the right wing and Mr Miller headed over from 8 yards out, as Shiplake continued to look dangerous from set pieces. Shiplake talisman Mr Duncan, so often an integral member of the staff team, took the game into his own hands with a surging run down the left which stirred memories of Ryan Giggs against Arsenal in 1999. The Skipwith Housemaster evaded a series of challenges and drifted over a perfect cross for ex-GB rower Mr Moffatt to head home and put the pride of Oxfordshire in front for the first time.
The minutes ticked by and referee Mr Johnston glanced at his watch, but with half time looming, Foster Wheeler brought themselves back into the game. There was a slice of luck involved, as a scuffed shot took a bobble and eluded Mr Reynolds' despairing dive. This made the scoreline 2-2 at half time, with everything to play for.
Just five minutes into the second period, Shiplake were back in front. Mr Miller received the ball in space on the right and had only one thing on his mind - goals. He took aim from 30 yards out and the ball nestled into the bottom corner. It only bounced once. Mr Milburn entered the fray at left back to shore up the defence and played superbly, but it was fellow sub Mr Cottrell who came closest to extending the lead. After Miller was denied by a fine save, Cottrell's rebound looked destined for the far corner, only to be cruelly deflected onto the post.
As tiredness set in, Foster Wheeler began to boss territory and possession. Mr Reynolds made a fantastic save from Barrett, before Mr Mallins, who had defended excellently throughout the match, almost gave his team-mates a heart attack as a desperate clearance flew inches over his own crossbar. Despite rarely getting out of their own half, the Shiplake squad showed impeccable desire and defended resolutely for the last 20 minutes, and looked set to hold on for a famous victory. With just moments left, Foster Wheeler captain Mattheus Bridgeman broke Shiplake hearts with a low strike from 12 yards.
Despite the late blow, it was a performance to be proud of for Shiplake, who end the calendar year with just one defeat against their name.
