As we draw closer to the end of another School year, the fixtures begin to heat up as scores are settled and league positions are battled for. Before half term, our U17 cricketers travelled to Eton to teach the masters how to play the quintessentially British game, while our Colts covered a little less distance in going to Leighton Park, but still teaching them and the Oratory a thing or two about Tennis! All the while our girls were battling it out with Gillotts to fight for their position on the Rounders league table.
Cricket
U17 v Eton
Shiplake College’s cricketers won their second nail-biting game of the 2018 National Cup knock-out competition. Having defeated Tiffin School with a ball to spare in the first round, the boys knew a stiffer challenged awaited against Eton. Winning the toss, Captain Matthew Dalrymple elected to bowl first. Eton made a good start, with batsman Matt Anscombe attacking from the off. Off-spinner Callum Theodorou removed the other opener but the runs continued to flow, with Eton reaching 79 for 1 off 15 overs at the drinks break. The break seemed to galvanise Shiplake and seamers Alex Bartlett (3 for 20) and Ben Atkin (2 for 21) bowled beautifully to reduce Eton to 105 for 6 after 22 overs. A late rally from Savage and Taylor meant Eton ended on 158 for 8 off their 30 overs.
Shiplake’s reply started in a measured fashion but after losing early wickets were reduced to 21 for 2 off 6 overs. When Captain Dalrymple picked out deep mid-wicket for 28 Shiplake needed an innings of real substance. Callum Creighton was the man to provide it, scoring his first 50 of the season. However, when he was dismissed by an excellent catch from Eton Captain Xander Watt, Shiplake looked out of the contest at 130 for 6 with four overs to go. However, bowlers James Roxburgh-Smith (14 not out) and Oliver Dorrell (15 not out) combined intelligent batting with lusty blows to leave Shiplake needed 6 runs off the last over. Dorrell hit the deciding boundary with a ball to spare. Shiplake move into the 3rd Round of the competition where they take on another cricketing powerhouse, Winchester College.
2nd XI vs Abingdon 3rd XI
This exciting T20 match started with Captain Van Vuuren electing to bowl first on what looked like an interesting and grassy wicket on New Field. Seam bowler Dorell opened the bowling with a quick wicket in his first over and keeping the run rate down only going for 10 off his four overs. At the other end, left-armed Haynes also took a wicket in his second over and for 2 less runs than Dorell. Rait then continued the bowling at the first change starting his spell with a maiden. He then went on to take 2 wickets as Abingdon attempted to hit over the ring with a caught and bowled and a catch from Ashcroft. Going for only 10 runs, these wickets put Rait now on the bowling top sport for the season with an average of 4.17. The remaining overs were finished by Ashcroft and Van Vuuren who, despite taking wickets between them, allowed Abingdon to nurse their total up to 71 for 7 off 20 overs.
Shiplake lost an early wicket at the start of their innings with Van Vuuren getting caught trying to hit over the ring. With the innings stabled, Monson scored a quick 44 runs off 25 balls. With a number of the regular team stuck in an example, Gorringe, Coates and Booth lost their wickets cheaply batting out of order. However, Shiplake quickly managed to secure the runs in 9 overs beating Abingdon comfortably. The 2nd XI continue their unbeaten run the season but will need to be more consistent with the bat if they want to make this their first ever unbeaten season.
U13C v Magdalen College
In what could only be described as the most picturesque settings the U13C boys lost the toss and were put into bat by Magdalen. The opening pair of Fergus Heggie and Ryan Fry set the tone from the start with some powerful hitting with Heggie quickly knocking up his 20 and retiring in order to let in Shiplake’s next batsman. Fry and Flynn Wilson then formed a great partnership, with 23 being scored by Wilson and Fry chipping in with a useful 13. All Shiplake batsman then had the opportunity to bat with runs being scored from all showing a great deal of potential and resulted in Shiplake setting Magdalen a total of 95 to win.
Magdalen started well but impressive bowling from Jack Marthinusen and Dan Coles limited the run rate and the fielding was quite simply outstanding. It would be hard to pick out our star bowlers as it really was a team effort but highlights for Coach Crisford were the deliveries from Alex Heath-Davey and Max Gardiner that took some fantastic wickets. Overall this saw Magdalen finish their 16 overs with a total of 65 resulting in Shiplake winning by 30 runs.
Tennis
Colt’s @ Leighton Park
Having narrowly lost a number of fixtures this season, it was time to make a few changes. So, in came Henry Poustie for the three-way singles tournament against The Oratory and hosts, Leighton Park. Opposite pairs play each other in a total of seven games. So, sets can be won 7-0, 6-1, 5-2 and 4-3. In their first round, our boys faced The Oratory and won three out of four ties. We then squared up immediately against the hosts, Leighton Park, and drew 2-2. All we had to do now was wait to see how the ties between Leighton Park and The Oratory would play out. The Oratory needed to win all four ties against Leighton Park to potentially snatch victory from us and Leighton Park had to win three out of four ties to definitely claim the trophy. After a nerve-racking wait, we were declared winners of the tournament as The Oratory and Leighton Park could only manage a draw. Well done to the Captain Harry Clark, Alex Coles, Dom Mealing and man of the match, Henry Poustie, who won both of his ties 7-0. A huge thank you to Mr Mallins, Mr Ebun-Cole and our coach, Colin, for coaching, supporting and organising our fixtures this season.
Rounders
U18A v Gillotts
Last Wednesday, Shiplake played their second match of the season against Gillotts. This time, it was Shiplake's turn to field first. The U18's started strong with Lydia and Jade working well together at getting the Gillotts' girls out at second post. Shiplake knew that there were 8 rounders to beat going into batting. It took the team a while to get into the swing of things, but gradually managed to get going, gaining rounders in the last minute to draw level with Gillotts' score. There was not enough time to do a second innings and so it meant that Shiplake just secured the win by catching 7 girls out compared to only 4 of the Shiplake girls who got caught out. Well done to Jade and Ella for players of the match.
Report provided by Captain Ella Nolson
U18B v Gillotts
Last Wednesday, Shiplake U18Bs played a home game against Gillotts School which was their second game of the season. Gillotts started fielding first, meaning Shiplake had to secure some rounders to stay in play. Gillotts had a strong fielding team which meant some of the girls were caught out and this limited Shiplake’s play. However, this did not destroy the confidence of the B Team girls and they continued to make some strong bats with excellent hits from Sasha. It was then Gillotts turn to bat; they had some strong and consistent batters however it was matched with accurate fielding from Flo and Beattie. Although Shiplake had some good fielding it was a tough game with a final score of 3 ½ to 10 to Gillotts. Batter of the match went to Ella and fielder of the match went to Flo. Well done for a fantastic last game of the Season.
Report provided by Captain Ella Roullier
