Sports Report 2 October 17

2 October 2017

It’s been a busy week for sports across the board! With all of our rugby teams being tested on the pitch, and both of our ladies’ hockey teams deep in the field we’ve had a mixed bag of results. There have been some outstanding victories and some easily forgiven losses, but one thing is for sure, Shiplake has a lot more to prove!

Rugby

U15B vs Reading Blue Coat School

Under 15bs lost 52-5. One try was scored by Harvey Groves-Raines. Tough day at the office. Blue Coat were very strong in the rucks and gave the team a lot to think about during the following week of training.

U13A vs Highdown School

The U13As put in another strong display beating Highdown convincingly in what was a very competitive game finishing 7-1 to Shiplake. Highdown played with real intent, running strongly and prepared to tackle anything that moved, but their relative inexperience in playing competitive matches ultimately saw them struggle. Shiplake, led brilliantly by Jamie MacLeod, showed some fantastic pace and skills, particularly in the backline where the ball was well-distributed across the backs. Lucas Ferrer de Arriba had a very strong game finishing a number of well executed tries. Congratulations also go to Oliver Lewis should for some hard running and ferocious tackling throughout the game. Overall this was a great game for Shiplake and we look forward to more of the same.

Report provided by Mr Tom Crisford

U16B vs Leighton Park School (lost 19-50) Wednesday

The boys of Leighton Park took an early 10-0 lead with two tries coming from strong direct running. Shiplake, however, came back strongly after some encouragement from Coach Reynolds under the posts. It was 12-10 to Shiplake in no time with captain Patrick Kenny scoring both tries.

Just as Shiplake were looking to take control, some poor tackling and ill-discipline led to Leighton Park going over for a third try. The game started to get away from Shiplake with the Leighton park scrum being very effective and the pace of their backs causing problems. The final score was 19-40 but Shiplake did score a world class try. Patrick Kenny bombarded his way to the 22 from his own line, the ball was quick and great hands in the centre released winger Deakin. His inside pass to the supporting runner Powell left the home side with no chance and Powell ran under the posts from the 22 – a cracker and something to cling onto for the next match.

Report provided by Mr Alex Duncan

U16A vs City of London Freemen’s

Knowing by how much the Freemen’s under 16 team had beaten the Shiplake team previously, meant that our boys were able to start the game knowing what was at stake. Although their boys did not appear physically larger or more capable than the Shiplake boys, both teams were equally matched, so much so that not a single try was scored until Shiplake made their first major slip-up, allowing Freemen’s to take advantage and score for the first time. Ending the first half, the Shiplake boys could see that the opposition were faster in rucks and that their quick forwards managed to acquire several balls in the break-downs.

The second half started, Shiplake managed to improve their pace and defence but both teams were neck and neck in terms of ability. Because of this, Shiplake conceded fewer turn-overs while gaining more. Overall, Shiplake showed most promise, they were the better team, but Freemen’s managed to win the game due to their endurance and our own mistakes. Unfortunately, the final score was 7-19.

Report provided by Mr Diez Urkidi

U15B vs City of London Freemen’s

After a hard week’s training, focusing on tackling and taking the ball into contact, the U15s were geared up and ready to take on the London Freemen’s boys. They started the game with the desire to win and began to believe in themselves. It took almost 20 minutes for the first try to come, but following numerous runs, Ben Acton broke through the defence and put the first points on the board. Harvey Groves-Raines added another try just before half-time.

Bringing on Matt Healy in the second-half made an immediate impact and he boldly put in a crunching tackle on of the biggest players on the field. Shiplake defended their line well for a nail-biting 5 minutes, before then counter-attacking and scoring at the other end. Josh Wombell, a powerhouse throughout, secured Shiplake their third try. The confidence then flooded in, as did the tries. Two more from Groves-Raines and a try from Max Way secured Shiplake a solid win. Luke Theodorou kicked 4 conversions through the posts. It was an excellent team performance all around and a courageous way to come back from earlier in the week.

Report provided by Mr James Arney.

U15C vs Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood

Thinking Merchant Taylors’ would be one of the team’s more difficult competitors, the Shiplake U15Cs had a hard week of training. Jake Wiggins scored an early try after great contesting in the first ruck, with Luke Taylor getting the conversion. With fantastic handling in their own half, the U15s were awarded a penalty after a high tackle from the Merchant Taylors’ boys. Running through the whole team and half a pitch, Ryosuke Kinoshita delivered the ball with nerve to the try posts, making the score 14-0.

A ruck and a few missed tackles saw Merchant Taylors’ score a converted try with just a few minutes of the first half to go. After Merchant Taylors’ knocked the ball on, a ruck was formed and Ashley Williams took the ball into the defence and offloaded it onto Munro Waller who ran through even more defence and scored the try with another conversion from Luke Roxburgh-Smith.

The second half saw Kinoshita score his second try of the game, and Roxburgh-Smith to score his second conversion. Merchant Taylors’ were close behind, after passing the ball through every hand before scoring the try, but missing the conversion. Before long, both teams were engaged in a ruck but Freddie Westbrook-Burr grabbed the ball, pushed through their defence and scored on the wing.

After making a lot of ground, the Merchant Taylors’ boys were given a penalty due to a high tackle. They scored, just off the 22 line. Unfortunately, Jake Wiggins sustained a broken arm while tackling, but with only a minute to go the boys rallied. With Waller in possession, our boys were able to break their defensive line and score a try, with Roxburgh-Smith achieving the conversion. The final score was 40-12.

Report provided by Captain Jack Murray

U14C vs Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood

Unfortunately, the match did not start promisingly. From the start of the game the Shiplake boys knew they would have to work hard, and perform well as a team to succeed. After too many tries from Merchant Taylors’ team, Vice-Captain Greg Dowden passed the ball to Zach Devine who went on to score a storming try. Sadly, this was not enough to take victory as Merchant Taylors’ went on to win. The final score being 5-48 but this will not stop the Shiplake boys giving it all they’ve got when they are due to play the same team again this Saturday.

Report provided by Vice-Captain Greg Dowden.

Hockey

1st XI vs Reddam House School

Shiplake’s 1st XI Girls started well in the first quarter, moving the ball with fluidity between players and moving the ball up the pitch. With the Reddam House goalie being very strong, it was proving more difficult to slip one into the goal. Good tactics and a strong set up from midfielders Hannah Burnett and Georgie Stebbings led to Sophie Weldon scoring the first goal early on in the second quarter. The second goal was an own goal scored by a rebound from one of the Reddam sticks, this came shortly after being put under a lot of pressure from our attackers. The Shiplake Girls worked well together to pass the ball to Liv Bartlett who earned their third goal. Our last goal was set up by Ella Nolson after running it a good length of the pitch. It was then hit into the goal by Sophie Weldon straight between the legs of the goalie. The final score was 4-0 to Shiplake; a great game all round and well played everyone.

Player of the match went to Lauren McNally.

2nd XI vs Pangbourne College

The game started quickly and both teams remained on a level-pegging throughout the first half. With strong defence from Lydia Lyons and Jessie Burrough Haq our girls managed to bounce the ball back into their own attack. In the last few minutes of the first half, the girls tired; this was obvious. In quick succession, Pangbourne College conceded two goals but they weren’t defeated yet.

The second half started, and the Shiplake girls refused to let their two-point disadvantage dampen their spirits. With great passes in the D and great control from Eloise Harman and Ella Roullier, the girls came close to scoring. However due to an unlucky foot-ball the goal did not count.

The Shiplake girls kept playing with much strength and made sure they kept their heads up. However, with many subs from Pangbourne College, the away side had a bit more stamina than our girls. Again in quick concession they conceded two more goals. Shiplake kept strong and made sure that there would be no more. With great control in centre from Mimi Ellis, superb goal keeping from Jade Miller and strong play from Tory Wyatt, we kept the ball down our end for the remaining duration.

Report provided by Captain Hannah Simonds-Gooding