The weather held out, meaning that planned matches were able to go ahead and the Shiplake teams took on some difficult rivals. Despite some good playing and clear improvements from the boys, it was a tough week in the office results-wise for most. However, the U15B cricket team did exceptionally well against Lord Wandsworth College, winning comfortably.
Cricket
2nd XI vs Lord Wandsworth College
Will Gresswell offers the following report on a closely-fought match between the two sides:
‘We started off with our team moral sky high, knowing that our opponent’s had lost to a Pangbourne side that we had beaten rather comfortably. Captain Dan Deakin won the toss and chose to bat first. Our opening batsman were baffled by their opening bowlers who took three wickets in the first five overs. After taking a huge hit losing three wickets, Freddie Davis and Tom Riches got comfortable at the wicket and startled the LWC team by hitting a selection of boundaries but forgetting to run the singles. Freddie hit thirty runs and Tom hit twenty; this was just the recovery we needed to get us back on track in the game. It was now up to our middle order batsman to keep our score ticking, but after some disappointing running our team scored 107 runs. This was not as high as we wanted it to be, but it was still a very defendable score.
Our bowling started off looking promising, with Andy Fearn taking three wickets in three overs, and Lewis Bishop also taking a wicket. It was all going well until their fifth batsman came in, and scored a very respectable half century, running very well between the wickets and taking advantage of some below par fielding, helping them to win with three overs to spare. Although we lost, it was still a very thrilling and very exhilarating game. I would like to thank Mr David Rose for coaching the team and umpiring the game.’
U15A XI vs Pangbourne College
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt offers the following two reports from the close match against local rivals Pangbourne on Wednesday 8 May, and Saturday 11 May:
‘Most of the fundamental reasons that pupils attend school for is amongst others to learn – what a wonderful opportunity this match presents for just that. Having being asked to bowl first Shiplake started wonderfully, with Oliver Dorrell bowling his 4 overs for just 5 runs, and James Roxburgh Smith supporting him well going for just 16 runs. Captain Callum Theodorou (4-23-1) and Harry Ingram then bowled first change and carried on the good work. After 11 overs Pangbourne had scored just 37 runs and we were looking well on top. However, lack of real concentration and a willingness to fight to restrict every single run meant that despite some good late bowling by Ben Atkin (14-2) we let Pangbourne reach 105 runs off their 20 overs. Some sloppy boundary fielding and poor shot anticipation meant that this total, although very gettable, was 20 runs larger than it should have been. Needing 5.25 runs per over we set off on our run chase with good intent. Josh Howard (53) played wonderfully hitting the ball straight and was well supported by James Roxburgh Smith (17) who deputised for Lucas Brooks as the opening batsman. After 9 overs we were 60 – 0 needing just 46 runs to win at 4.0 runs per over. Complacency set in and the team began to see the required rate grow. Too many big shots were being looked for rather than the necessary singles and soon panic began to set in. Three or four maiden overs ensued with multiple easy singles being turned down – all of a sudden momentum had swung! 20 runs off the last two overs was too big an ask and we finished a very disappointing 7 runs short. This was a real lesson in why running well from the very start is the key to winning games easily – rotating the strike, asking bowlers to bowl at different players regularly setting different fields in the process. Frustration was clear to see on the faces of all players as our three match winning streak came to an end. Still, losing isn’t disastrous, as long as valuable lessons are learned in the process.’
U15A XI vs Lord Wandsworth College
‘After winning the toss captain Callum Theodorou chose to bowl on what was a very good looking track. With this in mind bowlers were going to have work hard to get their return. Shiplake again started well and can be very pleased with the progress they have made in the field. No longer were the opposition able to take cheap easy singes, with all fielders saving one doing just that. After 15 overs LWC were 80-3 and the Shiplake bowlers were bowling with good line and length. Harry Ingram bowling as first change bowled with real control (22-3) and was well supported by Max Haynes who also took 3 wickets for 26 runs. Ben Atkin again bowled well at the death but the best control bowler was Callum Theodorou who bowled bravely through a sore shoulder to limit the LWC batsmen at a crucial stage of the game. LWC finished on 162 from their 30 overs leaving us an eminently chasuble total. Again Josh Howard (68) was excellent. Opening the batting he played some shots which would not have been amiss at Lords. He really is classy when he gets going. Unfortunately no one was able to support him with the remaining 9 batsmen failing to reach double figures. Despite this, we were always in touch with the required 5.4 runs needed per over until we simply turned down too many easy singles. The boys need to appreciate that short format games need to be approached with an element of risk so taking chancy singles is sometimes necessary. Too often we found ourselves cemented to the crease at both ends. I am confident that this can be easily addressed but it will require a by in and an acceptance that their is progress to be made in this department. Hopefully we will be able to implement this once we have spent Monday’s session practicing this team skill again. Eventually we pulled up 35 runs short. Loads of positives, notably our bowling and energy in the field, but also a couple of work ons for the team before Wednesday’s game against Windsor Boys.’
Shiplake U15 A - 127 all out. Lord Wandsworth U15 A - 162 all out. Lord Wandsworth U15 A win by 35 runs.
U15B XI vs Lord Wandsworth College
Thank you Mr Jim Reynolds for providing the following report:
'After the morning’s house matches, the U15bs headed out to Wandsworth with the confidence of an unbeaten record on the road but with some weariness from the earlier game. The opposition proved to be the challenge that the squad has been missing from the last few weeks, which lead to thrilling game. Once the game began, Shiplake were put into bat and faced some of the better bowling of the season. After losing some early wickets to good seam bowling, the innings was stabilised by the mercurial Jack Rees. Excellent leg side play and a bit of luck lead to a fine 76, with Rees’ brutal dismantling of the Wandsworth attack supported by an energetic 26 runs from Matt Davies. Both boys took their singles and set up the innings well. Despite a small tail collapse, resistance from skipper Brunning lead to a score of 152 all out off 20 overs.
With the humidity and tiredness sapping energy, the side had to dig deep if they wanted a win. After some initial dropped catches and miss-fields, fielding rose back to the usual high standard. Ben Dinsdale bowled well all day and broke the early deadlock but Wandsworth started to settle into their stride and looked dangerous. An excellent spell from Sam Ellis, taking 3 wickets in two overs levelled the home side and it began to feel like Shiplake were in the clear. However, a strong 7th wicket partnership took Wandsworth over the century mark and the game entered thriller territory. The parntership was ended on 107 runs by an excellent direct hit by Fitzgerald, but it took further strong overs from the Shortland and Luke Mullin and two more run outs before Wandsworth were all out for 136. Whilst unnecessary celebrations marred the occasion, it was none the less a performance to celebrate. The team dug deep to beat a challenging opposition by 16 runs, and can hopefully draw on their experience for future inspiration to persist in the face of challenge and fatigue. Man of the Match was Jack Rees. Well done all!
Shiplake U15B: 152 all out, 20 overs. Wandsworth: 136 all out, 22 overs. Shiplake win by 16 runs.'
U14B XI vs Pangbourne College
‘Shiplake travelled to Pangbourne hoping to avenge the defeat suffered earlier in the season. Having lost the toss and being asked to bat, Archie Buchanan and Will Kayll took to the field under blazing sunshine. The first couple of overs saw very few runs scored but the tempo soon picked up and, even though Archie’s wicket fell early, Will and new batting partner Stanley Ingram put on a solid display. A few more wickets fell but Shiplake were able to score consistently throughout the innings, finishing with a score of 107-7 from their 20 overs.
Pangbourne started their innings in strong fashion and were keeping up with the required run rate as the overs ticked by. Captain Sean Farrell handed the ball to Brandon Lupson who produced the bowling display of the afternoon with his carefully measured spin attack. Brandon eventually took four wickets during his spell and gave Shiplake every chance of claiming victory. The Pangbourne wickets were tumbling and the required total was inching ever closer. A run out early in the 19th over left Shiplake with one more wicket to claim whilst Pangbourne needed three runs. A dramatic finale, which saw another near run out and a frantic scramble from the opposition, meant that Pangbourne just made it over the line with six balls to spare. Batting man of the match was given to a deserving Will Kayll, whilst Brandon Lupson was awarded bowling man of the match.
The final score was Shiplake 107-7, Pangbourne 108-9, meaning that Pangbourne won by just one wicket.’
Mr Marcus Milburn
Rowing
Reading Amateur Regatta
Thank you to Captain of Girls’ Boats, Lucy Walker, for providing the following report from the Reading Amateur Regatta:
‘There were two girls’ crews entered in this year’s regatta, consisting of Lucy Walker in a WJ18 1x and Hannah Brown, Claudia Adams, Charley Scales, Olivia Lucas and cox Maisie Webb in the W Novice 4+. The first race was Lucy in her single, against Reading RC; she won by a comfortable four lengths to then proceed to the semi-finals. The semi was another easy row, where she won comfortably against Stow Sculling Club. In the final, against a very strong Reading RC rower, Walker was just beaten, coming in second place. Meanwhile, the girls 4 were boating and paddling up to do their first race, also against Reading Rowing Club. Shiplake won easily, and sailed through to the semi-final. Against Headington School BC in the semi-final Shiplake had a competitive race, but managed to hold off their opposition successfully and again won by a third of a length, edging through to the final. Unfortunately, the girls were beaten by Henley RC by four and a half lengths in the final, but had a very tidy row, finishing in second place. Good luck to all girls racing at Henley Women’s Regatta this weekend, and those qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta!’
