As the School year draws to a close, so does the cricket season. This week we congratulate Captain of the 1st XI Joe Tucker, who celebrates his 50th match on the team. We also congratulate the first ever Shiplake Girls cricket team who, despite not winning their first match, are helping to give our girls fair representation on the cricket pitch.
Shiplake Girls v Reddam House
The first ever Girls’ Cricket match took place on Wednesday 13th June against Reddam House. After only having four training sessions, the Shiplake College girls were excited to compete in their first match at home. Shiplake won the toss and wanted to field first. With all our girls out on the field, adrenaline was high as all were all motivated to win. Shiplake started strong with Hannah Sexton bowling; Reddam were big hitters but with Lydia Lyons and Ella Roullier staying strong around the boundaries, this enabled Shiplake to reduce the amount of 4’s they got. Both Hannah and Rhian Edwards bowled impressively. Morale was high as we went in to our batting innings. Rhian and Ella opened the batting and unexpectedly, Reddam’s first bowler was County standard and bowled out both Rhian and Georgie Stebbings. However, Ella Nolson scored an unbeaten 21 and Shiplake put up a good fight until the end, with Izzy Smith also coming in to score 17 not out. Shiplake lost with a final score of 120 to 91 runs but all players had a lot of fun and we hope to play again in the future. Players of the match where Rhian Edwards for fielding and batter Ella Nolson. Thank you Damaris for coaching us so well and getting us prepared for the match.
Report provided by Sophie Weldon, Girls’ Cricket Captain
U13A v Gillotts
The U13A team finished their season in style with a 27 run win over Gillotts. This gave the season total of 6 wins from their 8 matches.
Shiplake batted first and reached 83/6 off the 16 overs. Louis Poundall batted well again and saved the team from a few loose shots and poor running early on.
The key then was how Shiplake used their bowling prowess in reply. Once again, Captain Ollie Lewis produced a great spell of left arm pace, which meant the run rate was slow and Shiplake took control. The key wicket was that of the Gillotts danger man Danny. Last match he scored 34 runs but this week was a different story as he was miraculously caught out second ball. Taj Angell, a last minute re-addition to the team, pulled off a stunning left-handed catch at mid-wicket with the away side needing runs. Then came the inspired bowling change. On came promoted B team player Zac Morrison. His spell of accurate length bowling with just a tad of movement off the pitch caused chaos. He took 3 wickets for 3 runs from 2 overs. With three overs left and Gillotts needing over 30 runs to win, the game looked over, but some quick running and some slack fielding gave the away side renewed hope. Zac had to be brought back on and he was given the responsibility of the last over. After 5 excellent deliveries, the match was won but we had time for one last ball. The whole fielding side decided to field at slip and huge credit to the Gillotts’ batsmen for getting into the spirit of the game by encouraging this unusual field. He only had one thing in his mind…”do not edge it”…so he came down the wicket to slog. The ball span past him and knocked out middle stump. Zac dropped to his knees and a huge bundle commenced.
1st XI v Oratory
The Shiplake 1st XI went searching for their 9th win in a row against Oratory School last Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Shiplake made an excellent start with Oliver Brown and Matt Dalrymple scoring 59 in the first 6 overs. However, when Dalrymple was run out for 16, momentum could have swung against us but Brown kept flaying their fast bowlers to all parts until eventually departing caught behind for a well-made 48. Oratory then struck twice more before lunch, with Captain Wallace taking two wickets in an over, to leave Shiplake at 104 for 4 at the break. However, Captain Joe Tucker, playing his 50th match for the 1st XI, and Rufus Stone batted with a mixture of aggression and calmness to add 120 for the 5th wicket. When Tucker departed for 66, Stone accelerated to finish 71 not out and Shiplake on 243 for 8 off their 40 overs.
Shiplake then started brightly with the ball, Callum Creighton picking up two early wickets, to leave Oratory 45 for 2 at tea. However, a partnership between Winterbottom and Wallace threatened to allow Oratory back into the game. When Winterbottom departed caught off the bowling of Callum Theodorou wickets fell at key times to check the Oratory progress. When opening bowlers Lewis Bishop and Callum Creighton returned at the death of the innings Oratory needed 29 runs off 5 overs. Bishop picked up the key wicket of Wallace and Oratory finished 227 for 7 off 40 overs. Freddie Bowcock also picking up two wickets.
Shiplake 1st XI now face the Old Boys on Saturday before finishing the season against the MCC and at the Reading Blue Coat T20 tournament.
