Sports Report 7 October 2018

1st XV v UCS

The boys of the 1st XV were looking to start strong after half term, while training for FNL and the rest of the season. With a different team to normal and with players not in their usual positions, Shiplake soon found themselves under pressure, as UCS began building towards the try line. A UCS player dominated one of the Shiplake lads, bouncing him off and getting on the score sheet. Shiplake then tried to hit back but found themselves with poor discipline, giving UCS an attacking lineout on the Shiplake 5m line. Once again, UCS dominated a Shiplake player, leading to another soft try being conceded. Shiplake managed to hit back with a try from some well worked play through the backs, with Jack Rees finishing in the corner. This left the scores at 5 - 14 to UCS.

Shiplake thought this might be the turning point in the game but once again sloppy play led to Shiplake conceding another soft try under their posts; going into halftime at 5 - 21 to UCS. The Shiplake boys were disappointed with this and looked to change the result in the second half. The second half started with Shiplake looking better, but still failing to do anything major with the ball; not capitalising on the chances the had; and putting pressure on UCS when they could have. A very disappointing 5-26 result, which the team were very unhappy with. They now look to change this for the weekend against Mill Hill before Friday Night lights on the 16th.

2nd XV v UCS

With only one training session after coming back from half term, the Shiplake 2nd XV were ready to expect a hard game against UCS. Shiplake started the game well with the defensive line pressing the UCS attack, forcing mistakes and leading to penalties in our favour. This led to a good passage of forward pick-and-gos leading to Shiplake’s first try. UCS hit back fast, capitalising on Shiplake’s mistakes and scored two tries in quick succession. Shiplake didn't give up; with some exceptional running lines from Callum Creighton leading to Shiplake taking the lead before the second half.

Shiplake started the second half fast, putting together good moves in the back line, which led to breaks in the opposition’s defensive line. This in turn led to a well-worked try by Charlie Ambrose, who showed great leg drive to take him over the line. Shiplake didn't let-off on the pressure as Calum Creighton once again crossed the line for his fourth try of the game. Although UCS hit the Shiplake defence line hard, leading to UCS scoring in the last play of the game, the Shiplake 2nd XV ended the game with a score of 41-19.

U14A  v UCS

The first game back from half term and Shiplake U14As were ready for a challenging game. It was a great day for rugby, neither too cold nor not too hot. The game started with Shiplake kicking the ball into the opposition’s hands. The first five to ten minutes were crucial in the game, as our boys needed to defend against the brutality experienced in their past games. The forwards showed great dedication, especially Aaron Coleman and Fin Woods. The first half was tough, and it was end-to-end rugby, which ended with a deserved try from Charlie Moss pushing over the line, supported by the other forwards.

The second half started and the U14As needed to concentrate on the breakdown. Reuben Young immediately ran out, ball in hand, scoring our second try. Shiplake had total control of the game at this point, taking it through the phases and then getting the ball quickly to the wings, which successfully worked when Mikey Aitken sprinted along the touchline to score the last try. The final whistle was blown with the score being 24-0 to Shiplake. Onto Mill Hill and Belmont School this week!

U14B v UCS

On Saturday 3 November, Shiplake U14B team played University College School. The boys started aggressively, making big hits and pushing the opposition back into their half. This led to Josh Sommerville being able to crash through the UCS defence and score in the corner. During the next 10 minutes, Shiplake’s rucking skills helped them turn the ball over, which consequently led to Harrison Harper, and then Louis Swinbourne-Johnson scoring. The U14Bs started the second half three tries up, but some sloppy tackles and avoidable penalties against us led to UCS scoring two tries. There was now only one try between Shiplake and UCS. The boys were now so concentrated on their tackling and ball handling that the opposition didn't score any more tries, while Shiplake went on to get four more and one conversion. Try scorers included Zac Bailey-Williams, Jett Dyason, Harry Hickman, Henry Doyle, Louis Swinbourne-Johnson, Josh Sommerville and Harrison Harper.       

U12B v Dragon School

On Wednesday 17th October Shiplake U12 B's hosted Dragon School. Shiplake started solid putting some great tackles in. Ten Minutes in Joshua Marthinusen zigzagged through the defence to score our first try. We were all buzzing but that didn't keep us from trying hard. Later Noah Rogers picked up the ball and ran through their back line to score our second try. But soon enough our back line was shaking and they scored their first try. The half time whistle went and we were winning 2 to 1. In the second half we didn't stop trying. In the early second half Archie Siviter got the ball and ran down the line like a cheater to score our third try. After that we started to feel overconfident letting them through to score their second try but we didn't give up. Then out of nowhere Alec Steel scored an amazing try to win us the Game. Over all Shiplake won 5-3 and was a good victory.

U12A v Dragon School

On Wednesday 17 October, the U12A boys went to the riverside pitches to play rugby against Dragon school. They started passing well and Zac Lloyd, Alife Malcolm and Henry Benton made some great tackles. In the middle of the first half, James Coe broke through the defence to score the first try of the game. The U12As stayed strong in the first half and were then rewarded with Will Mason’s try. At half time, it was 2-0 to Shiplake but then the team switched off and started to struggle. This led to the Dragon School boys being rewarded with two tries. Then the boys really started to panic, but they kept their line and got some more tackles in. They rucked really well and ran hard and kept them on their try line but they kept on clearing it. The final score was 2-2 and thank-you to Mr Jones for reffing.