After bad weather for the first half of last week rained off all of the fixtures, there was concern that it wouldn’t brighten up for the weekend and the pitches would end up water-logged. However, with some luck, the sun came out and the weekend’s matches went ahead as planned. Alongside cricket and tennis, rowing and rounders also took place, with some fantastic results. Please find reports and results below from all of the last week’s matches.
Cricket
1st XI vs Pangbourne College
Master in Charge of Cricket Mr Jonnie Howorth provides the following report from an incredibly close match against local rival Pangbourne:
‘Shiplake lost out on the last ball in a most thrilling encounter away at Pangbourne College. After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Shiplake started brightly through Callum Heppner-Logan and Freddie Bowcock. The run rate remained around five an over for the entire 35 overs of the innings, with Captain Harry Ibbitson (77) and Joe Tucker (47) helping Shiplake compile a formidable total. Miles Bridgman’s 29 not out towards the end meant we ended our innings on 201 for 6. Shiplake began bowling superbly with Callum Heppner-Logan taking two wickets in the first 8 overs, both caught behind by keeper Ollie Brown. The introduction of left arm spinner Ben Westbrook-Burr was key and he took three quick wickets, including an excellent catch from Zach Heppner-Logan, to leave Pangbourne 85-5 after the drinks interval at 18 overs. Captain Ibbitson struck immediately after to leave the hosts six down and starring defeat. However, two quick-fire half centuries meant a grandstand finish ensued. With Pangbourne needing 21 runs off the last four overs with four wickets in hand Shiplake burst back into life with Joe Tucker bowling their dangerman for a well-made 61. With 12 runs needed off the last two overs Ibbitson picked up another crucial wicket meaning going into the last over the hosts needed six runs off six balls with two wickets in hand. Joe Tucker was tasked with bowling the last over and he immediately struck to leave Shiplake one wicket from victory. After a second dot ball Pangbourne (needing six to win off four balls) struck a boundary. With two needed off the last two balls Shiplake missed two crucial run out chances and the game had gone.
The 1st XI were obviously devastated by the loss but the watching spectators on the edge of their seats were rightly proud of both sides, who had produced the most thrilling game of cricket I have seen in my six years at the College. A superb advert for the sport and both sides played with passion and great respect throughout. A big thank you to Josh Howard from Year 10 who stepped up from the U15s and fielded for the 1st XI due to an injured player. He made some vital stops in the field and hopefully gained some valuable exposure to 1st XI cricket.
Shiplake 201-6 off 35 overs. Pangbourne 202-9 off 35 overs.’
2nd XI vs Pangbourne College
Shiplake took on Pangbourne in a match that proved to be very successful. Todd Harman (51) managed to score an impressive 4 off the last ball, to make it to 50. The other top scorers for the match were Lewis Bishop (39) and Thomas Riches (27). Finn Arbuckle provided some fantastic bowling, managing to get 2 wickets and a run out, whilst Justin Janse Van Vuuren, who is new to the game, also made a strong impression. Coach Mr Ross Johnston commented that ‘this was a great result against our local rivals. The boys have been focusing on sharp fielding which culminated today in 3 run outs. I’m pleased to welcome Justin Van Vuuren into the team, who bowled very tightly against their good batsmen. Although we started slowly, I am pleased with how few wickets we conceded and, as ever, the team benefitted from some parent encouragement from the sidelines!’
The final score for the match was: Shiplake 143 for 2. Pangbourne 130 for 8.
U15A XI vs Oratory School
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt offers the following report from a very successful match against Oratory School:
‘What a wonderful team effort this was and by far our most complete performance of the season to date. On losing the toss we were put in to bat, against our will but albeit with a relative degree of confidence that we could set a challenging target on what was a postage stamp of a pitch. Clearly defending the boundaries would be key and Oratory failed to do this from the start - both Josh Howard (69), who batted with simple brilliance and Lucas Brooks (50) found gaps in the inner ring and marched their way to an opening stand of 115. From there the scene was set. However, several fairly quick wickets and the loss especially of Tomas Gorringe, Callum Theodorou and Ben Atkin for relatively little left us somewhat rocking and threatening not to reach the total we once looked set to post. However, the brutal hitting of Robbie Cartwright (28 off 14 balls) reinstalled confidence and meant that Oratory would need to reach 196 off their 30 overs if they wanted to take victory. Oliver Dorrell and James Roxburgh Smith soon made this total look extremely daunting with a wonderful opening 12 overs. Dorrell bowled beautifully down the slope finishing with 16-1 off his 6 overs. James Roxburgh Smith dismissed their danger batsman and took two wickets for 24 runs off his 6 overs. Atkin and Captain Theodorou then came on with the role of getting through their overs quickly to ensure that the pressure built steadily. This they did well but it was the introduction of Max Haynes to the bowling attack that was most probably the highlight of the day. Max bowled three overs, took 4 wickets (all bowled) and conceded just 15 runs. The last wicket fell with a dropped catch/run out and Shiplake College won by a very impressive 89 runs. We now have some momentum and will look to capitalise on this when we meet local rivals Pangbourne at the end of this week.
Shiplake College 195 - 8 (Howard 69, Brooks 50, Cartwright 24). Reading Oratory 106 all out (Haynes 4-15). Shiplake College won by 89 runs.’
U15A XI vs Pangbourne College
‘It is always good to beat your local rivals, and even more so when you do it in an emphatic and comprehensive fashion. After winning the toss we elected to bowl first and set quickly about our work with the outstanding James Roxburgh Smith taking two early wickets to leave Pangbourne 23-2 after 5 overs. As always, James was well supported by Oliver Dorrell. A Pangbourne partnership then ensued by Callum Theodorou kept the run rate under control and Harry Ingram shone brightly to take the vital wicket of the Panbourne captain, trapped LBW to a late inswinging delivery. The Pangbourne bottom order batsmen did little damage despite a couple of misfields, and it was left to Ben Atkin and Max Haynes to bowl efficiently in the last few overs. Ben Atkin deserves special praise for his 2 wickets in his two vital overs. Shiplake College were set 118 to win, not an easy target on a slow unpredictable wicket. However, the steady opening pair of Lucas Brooks and Josh Howard set another impressive opening stand of 42 before Howard was dismissed for 19. Tomas Gorringe came in and dealt a couple of lofty blows before being bowled to a good delivery. It was left to James Roxburgh Smith and Callum Theodorou (21*) to steer the ship towards victory, and this they did taking well run singles. Callum was joined by Ben Atkin who showed a good degree of composure in knocking off the final few runs needed for victory. We chased down the total with 22 balls to spare and can consider the big improvements made in running between the wicket as a vital factor. James Roxburgh Smith took the man of the match award as a result of his excellent bowling and steady batting.’
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt
U14A XI vs Pangbourne College
Captain Callum Creighton provides the following report of the victorious match:
‘The game started slowly for Shiplake with the bat, losing a couple of early wickets, but Callum Creighton rebuilt the platform with 68 from 52 balls. Cam Jones rotated the strike well and the innings was finished off well with Rory Diez-Harrison and Jack Powell both making 20s. That meant that Shiplake finished on 153 after the 25 overs.
In reply, Sam Rodgers and Callum both took a couple of early wickets. Then Ali Baxter came onto bowl and ended the game with figures of 4-14. Pangbourne all out on 45. Quick mention to Freddie Fricker for a direct hit during the game as well.’
Rowing
Shiplake College vs St Edwards’ School
Mr Keith Settle provides the following report of the annual race against Teddies:
‘Shiplake hosted their annual match between St Edward’s (Teddies) and Reading Blue Coat last Saturday, with both J14 and J16 squads having a chance to race on their own water. This is always a good chance to have some close racing and test our relative speeds, whilst learning many crucial lessons before heading off to the larger regattas. Teddies fielded a very competitive A and B octo, both of which beat the Reading crews comfortably. Shiplake lost by 1 foot in the J14A race against Teddies, which was very hard to call between the coaches. The J14 quad fared well against the Reading Blue Coat B octo, whilst the Shiplake C octo won comfortably in a series of races against the Teddies C crew.’
Rounders
U18A 6-26.5 Lord Wandsworth College
Thank you to Mr Richard Curran for providing a report on the girls’ match against Lord Wandsworth College:
‘The girls travelled to Lord Wandsworth, ready to play what they knew would be a difficult game against their rivals. Playing the 1st team, unfortunately the girls simply had not had the experience necessary to pull a win out of the bag, and conceded the match by 6 rounders to 26.5. However, the girls fielded superbly with some fantastic catching. Batting requires some work, and once this has been honed the Shiplake team will be a force to be reckoned with! Chelsea Holliday stopped a flying ball with her ankle, which perhaps wasn’t the best move – but she carried on smiling regardless. Alina Budden had the most spectacular diving catch that I’ve ever seen – she wouldn’t be out of place on a cricket field! And Captain Daisy Gill rushed around the pitch, working hard and earning herself Player of the Match. The Deputy Head of Lord Wandsworth was umpiring the match, and commented that ‘the girls were the most positive and friendly side we’ve ever played, and we definitely want to keep this fixture going.’
Tennis
1st VI 8-1 Oratory School
Master in Charge of Tennis Mr Adam Mallins provides a report from the matches at Oratory:
‘The 1st VI have made a fantastic start to the season, having won against Lord Wandsworth, Leighton Park and picking up a trophy at a local tournament last week. On Saturday they travelled to Oratory hoping to continue their unbeaten streak. This was the first match to be played on grass and during the warm up it was clear that the players would need to be able to react to some variable bounces. In the heat and in the beautiful surroundings of Oratory’s walled garden, all 3 pairs came out firing shots with accuracy and power which proved too much for their opposite numbers. In the first pair, Marcus Hillman was showing how an accurate serve and acute angles can dominate a match and Connor Cummings was only too pleased to show off his powerful forehand to his old Oratory pals. The second pair of Cameron Whitelaw and Quin Wagner-Piggott have forged an excellent partnership this season and with a combined height of nearly 13ft there was nothing getting over or past them. On court three were Freddie Brady and Rory O’Conor, both back from injury, proving that you never forget how to hit a tennis ball; they both displayed some fantastic tennis shots and despite being third pair, saw off all their opponents. The final score was 8-1 to Shiplake and the winning tennis machine rolls onto to the next match; the mighty Abingdon on Wednesday.’
