Last week saw an exciting round of fixtures against Leighton Park, Pangbourne College, Thorpe House School and The Oratory. With local pride on the line, our boys and girls stepped up to the plate and gave it their all.
1st XI Hockey v Leighton Park School
The girls' hockey team played a tough match against Leighton Park on Wednesday. The girls went into the match with high moral and energy. The game started with a Leighton Park push back and their strong attack allowed them to put in an early goal. However, Shiplake kept fighting and moving the ball up the pitch with strong passes, getting the ball through the Leighton Park defence. After half time, Shiplake’s determination was seen as the girls kept fighting and did not give up. Persistence and stamina was shown in Shiplake's defence from R Harrison and E Booth as Leighton Park kept the ball down their attacking end. Shiplake worked really hard during the whole match and put up a good fight, however Leighton Park won the game 8-0. Well done to all the Shiplake girls and good luck in their final match of the season next week.
Report by E Hodson
1st XV Rugby v Pangbourne College
After a hard game against St Benedict's at Friday Night Lights, the team were keen for the challenge awaiting them at local rivals, Pangbourne College. Injuries to several regular players, provided an opportunity to try a number of different combinations and to allow a wider group of boys to play at first team level. The match started well and early pressure on Pangbourne's line was nearly rewarded with a try, before the opposition broke away to score. This set the pattern of the match, with plenty of running rugby and tactical kicking from both sides. However, pressure from Shiplake could not be turned into points. A combination of strong running from Pangbourne's backs and forwards, together with some lose tackling, as the boys tired, allowed Pangbourne eventually to finish comfortable winners at 34-0. The team knew that there was room for improvement, but equally the overall positive attitude and effort was maintained by all the players throughout the game. Despite the score line, the standard of rugby from Shiplake was good and allowed them to look forward with confidence to the next fixture against Cokethorpe.
Reported by J Walne
2nd XV Rugby v Pangbourne College
On Wednesday the 2nd XV came up against Pangbourne College. After a gory first few minutes of intense rugby, Pangbourne broke through Shiplake's defence putting the first points on the board with us conceding again within the next few minutes. With a strong new gameplan from J Stevenson Shiplake came back with their heads up and R Avery charged from a number 8 pick up from 10 metres out, diving over the line. A few minutes later J Stevenson broke their defence scoring under the posts. At half time we evaluated our performance during the first half and we figured out that we needed to play fast rugby as this is what we are best at. Our impressive fitness and determination lead us to play the second half to our strengths (fast heads up rugby). A clearance kick from Pangbourne put the ball in T Carpenter's hands as he broke through many tackles rampaging up the pitch then offloading to H Batchelor to score under the posts. With some gutsy tackles from S O'Brian and B Acton, Shiplake were able to put them on their back foot but this was not enough. Pangbourne broke ahead leaving the score 17-30 to Pangbourne.
Report by M Connolly
U15B Rugby v Pangbourne College
This was a solid 36-5 (mid-week) win for the U15Bs over local rivals Pangbourne. L O'Donoghue scored an excellent brace from full-back, and A Heath-Davey snaffled a quick ball under the posts to score his first try of the season. Man of the match went to J Sommerville for his fantastic all-round game - driving the team forwards with strong carries and excellent tackling from F Fox and L Byca helped to keep Pangbourne's impressive inside backs at bay. A tremendous season so far, but two tough games still to come...
Report by Mr D Miller
U14A Rugby v Pangbourne College
Shiplake went straight into their rhythm in this local derby with some powerful driving play leading to three quick scores. Pangbourne had few answers to the power and pace of the U14As even with a weakened team due to illness. Tries came at regular intervals throughout with the opposition picking up a couple of consolation scores at the death. Lots of positives to take from the game but still plenty to work on.
Full time score: 44-14 to Shiplake College
Report by Mr R Curtis
U14B Rugby v Pangbourne College
The U14Bs went into their away match against Pangbourne College full of confidence after a recent upturn in form and results. The first half provided plenty of entertainment for the neutrals with four tries (two each) being scored in the first 15 minutes. Deep into the first half, Shiplake were still struggling to find their rhythm, characterised by a number of handling errors and below par rucking. Dr D'Rozario's half time talk provided a renewed sense of focus and strategy for the boys and they all responded positively by opening up a commanding lead by the middle of the second half. Despite Pangbourne College's best efforts, the boys held firm and secured a 34-24 win. Men of the match D Coles, J Biggin and T Lebeau.
Report by Dr D'Rozario
U14C Rugby v Pangbourne College
Sometimes the measure of a team is not the scoreline at the end of the match, but the willingness of the players to get involved. Never was this truer than in the U14C victory against Pangbourne on a very cold Wednesday afternoon. Our version of Friday Night Lights saw an early flurry of tries, with H Palmer-Garrett impressively slotting the majority of them home for an extra two points. A mutual decision to loan some of our own talent was reached. J Cooper, J Gosby, K Askey, B Badsey and G Baker (who had returned from his time in the wilderness with the 14Bs) were more than happy to reverse their shirts and to swell the numbers of the original Pangbourne XV. The balance evened, all our own reserves were fielded for the final five minutes. At the final whistle there were 38 players on the pitch, and it was wonderful to see every available 14C squad member giving their best, no matter which side they were on. Final score 64-14, with two tries going to each of K Askey and Y Guo, and H Palmer-Garrett emerging with a 70% kick rate.
At this point of the season we are entirely level in our win/loss ratio, and will need a big push against Emanuel College in ten days' time to ensure we emerge with a winning season.
Report by Mr G Woolner
U13A Rugby v Thorpe House School
Despite the chill in the air the U13As warmed up their loyal supporters with a great display of entertaining rugby and an overall victory against Thorpe House School. The team was desperate to put in a big performance after the trials and tribulations of last week and all the hard work that has been put into training. The defence was rock solid led expertly by L Spence and L Wilson with some huge collisions. In attack the team showed width and flair and embraced our core values of being dynamic and showcasing energy. Many boys scored a try but particular congratulations should go to S Mealing, H Benton and A Malcolm for some powerful runs and the support that their teammate provided in order to create this space.
Report by Mr P Jones
U13B Rugby v Thorpe House School
The U13Bs put on another great performance to record a fine victory against Thorpe House School. It was so pleasing that every single player got fully stuck in showing a great level of commitment in both attack and defence. However, the moment of the match if not the season, was when R Pearson picked up the ball from halfway and ran into score an outstanding individual try. Although this was the champagne moment there were lots of other highlights that could be noted but overall it was a fantastic team effort.
Report by Mr T Crisford
U12A Rugby v The Oratory School
On a cold and frosty afternoon the U12s put on a good winning performance against The Oratory, finishing with a final score of 4-3. The team started with an early couple of tries and some outstanding off loads and distribution being displayed. The key message for the team was to use the width of a large pitch and to avoid contact by passing early. This was achieved on an occasional basis but most pleasing was the team effort and the large group of players that got game time, particularly those that stepped up from the B Team.
Report by Mr N Brown
Other results
U15A Rugby won 24-12 v Pangbourne College
