Now that cricket season is well and truly upon us, Shiplake have taken part in fixtures against Abingdon School, Eton College and Pangbourne College. Each match had different results, but lessons have certainly been learned from them all.
U13A v Abingdon School
After an unfortunate streak of three losses, Shiplake’s U13A achieved their first win of the season at home to Abingdon. The first innings saw tight bowling and three great run outs, although there were some overthrows (something to work on in training). Abingdon set Shiplake 110 to win.
After a steady start with J. Coe and W. Rider forming an opening partnership of 15 runs from four overs, Coe was smartly bowled by the Abingdon captain and in came Shiplake's skipper, W. Diver. After some sensibly placed shots for 1s and 2s, he started to find his rhythm and struck a superb 54 to put Shiplake into a winning position. A. Siveter and J. Biggin supported him well and after Diver’s dismissal, it was up to W. Mason to hit the winning run. Well done everyone on an exciting afternoon in favourable conditions. Man of the Match – W. Diver.
1st XI v Eton College
The 1st XI were ready for their first Saturday fixture of the season, against Eton College, who the U17s beat in a final over thriller last year in the national knockout competition. After being sent in to bat by the opposition’s captain, Eton began convincingly, taking a couple of early wickets. However, a steady performance from opener M. Dalrymple and a composed innings from Year 10 J. Angell steered the side through the opening encounters. This then allowed the middle order of R. Stone and C. Creighton to come in and accelerate the run rate before Eton finished well with the ball.
After being set 147 to win, the Shiplake bowlers ran up to the crease with intensity that followed in Eton being 40-4. A combination of tight lines and lengths and fielding that was disciplined yet lethal allowed Eton to be bowled out for 95 giving Shiplake a victory of 51 runs. Notable performances from bowlers J. Shortland (3-13) and J. Roxborough-Smith (3-14) as well as two outstanding catches in the slips from C. Theodorou.
1st XI v Pangbourne College
After winning the toss, Shiplake elected to bat on a quick and flat(ish) surface. The start was immediately positive from the 1st XI openers, which allowed the score to race to 36-0 after four overs. After a period of tight bowling and singles, E. Lee and M. Dalrymple decided that there was enough of a platform set to start firing. A variety of excellent shots and poor bowling allowed Shiplake to continue this great and positive start that set the tone for the Middle overs.
After Dalrymple had been dismissed for 74, E. Lee continued his range hitting and raced to 50 off just 21 balls, eventually falling for 66 off 25. What followed was a demonstration in pushing 1s into 2s and 2s into 3s, and hitting the bad balls to the boundaries from C. Creighton and R. Stone that allowed for Shiplake to get to 230-4 off 20 overs.
After this came a demonstration in tight bowling and exceptional fielding from the boys in Maroon. Pangbourne were in the chase for the first ball where the first 4 overs were all maidens. Pangbourne finished on 93-6. Shiplake won by 137 runs.
