This week’s sports report highlights the matches that took place before half term. There were some really good results in hockey against our local rivals, and some losses in football and netball. Our netball girls were not deterred though, and were triumphant in all three matches on their half term tour of Malta.
Football
1st XI v Sir William Borlase
We welcomed Borlase on Wednesday afternoon on a newly enlarged Memorial Pitch. It was clear from the early stages that the two teams were evenly matched and that this would be a close encounter. Borlase was marginally the better side in the first half as they were more aggressive in the tackle and showed slightly more energy in their attacks. They opened the scoring with a stunning volley which deflected out to the edge of the box following a corner. Shiplake was unfortunate to go 2-0 five minutes later from a penalty, when J Walne was judged to have fouled the Borlase striker in the box.
G Head and W Richards played well throughout and led the Shiplake team by example. Their excellent levels of fitness, determination and bravery in the tackle have set the standard for other players in the squad to reach. Shiplake played their best football of the match in the final quarter of the game, with J Burgess and K O'Hare showing more drive and aggression in their forward play. Walne, Head and O'Hare all came close to scoring in the final stages but the game finished 2-0 to the visitors.
Hockey
1st XI v Reading Blue Coat School
Shiplake 6:2 Reading.
After the disappointment from last week, we knew we had to come into this game with a better mentality, especially considering who we were facing. Local rivals Reading Blue Coat is our own Derby match, the battle for the river. This is a rivalry that has been going on for years and people talk about it like it’s Celtic v Rangers and even Boca Juniors v River Plate. Bragging rights were up for grabs on neutral grounds.
Our heads were focused and that showed by the pressure we put on right from the off. I Beasley threatened them straight from the push back and set the pace as a follow up tackle from O Rouse Roberts won the ball back. It was then pinged up the wing to D Deakin as it squared off to I Beasley who made the perfect run to the back post as he flicked it in the bottom left corner. It was so quick. If you blinked you would miss it. They didn't know what had hit them. An excellent start which was just the beginning of what was to come.
We did not become complacent and we did not undermine them. We kept our minds and our structure positive which was ultimately the deciding factor. J Underwood pushed up into the midfield for the first time this year and to his credit did brilliantly shutting out balls in the mid park and pushing forward supporting the attack. This meant H Watts returned to centre back with H Kunzig who had settled into the team very well as half term draws in. This is with usual left back Z Tilley and newcomer T Sale joining the team at right back. Our defensive structure was impeccable and hard to break through as they just sent up aerials that they were all penalised for. As the game went on we started to get into their heads and they started to lose their cool. A quick break from the back sent the ball up to J Underwood who drove the ball up to the edge of the D where O Rouse Roberts reversed it up into the top left corner almost taking off I Beasley’s head again.
The third goal of the half came as J Underwood intercepted the ball in the midfield, gave it to A Langular who drove up into the D and hit a rocket which went across the keeper into the bottom right corner. Just before half time against the run of play, Blue Coat broke away and squared the ball past M Bromell who had previously made some excellent saves, but had no chance and they got one back. At half time we told each other to stay positive, keep our heads up and continue piling on the pressure. We made a few changes with H Stride going in net and H Poustie going out on the left.
In the second half nothing changed and we carried on the intensity, winding up Blue Coat, to the point where they started to constantly foul us. They tried more aerial tactics but again we completely shut them down, yet again hitting on the counter up the right with D Deakin skilling up their LB as he fell over. He then sent a brilliant cross into the back post for I Beasley tapping it in to make it four. Unfortunately we conceded another goal against the run of play but it was merely a consolation. With 15 minutes to go A Langular came off for H Poustie who filled the void perfectly as he stole the ball and gave it to J Underwood who ran the rest of the pitch and scored a beautiful solo goal to end any hope Blue Coat had.
To finish things off we got a short corner which I Beasley stopped, setting up perfectly for O Rouse Roberts to hit bottom right to put the final nail in the coffin. We certainly played how we should, we were respectful but also threatening and we didn't get complacent nor underestimate our opponents which we did during the last game. The Derby saw Shiplake come out on top giving us bragging rights for another year. This was a great way to finish off the half term and gives us something to look forward to as we head into Lord Wandsworth 7s tournament when we get back.
MOM: J Underwood
Netball
Girls' U18A v Reading Blue Coat School
The first netball team played Blue Coat on Wednesday. Shiplake went into the game ready to work hard. Blue Coat had the first centre and started with a strong attack, however Shiplake came back with strong defence from H Austin and M Jobson, allowing the ball to be turned around and move up the court, giving the shooters more of an opportunity at goal. This gave Shiplake more confidence with using the space around the court meaning that mid court players A Galpin and A Tunnicliffe could move the ball into the D to M Arora and M Simpson to shoot. Blue Coat continued to work hard and push Shiplake leaving the score 17-32 at the end of the match. Shiplake played a great game throughout with lots of encouragement from everyone.
Other Results
2nd XI Hockey v Reading Blue Coat School: Won 3-1
Junior A Hockey v Lord Wandsworth 7s: Won 1-0
Girls' U18B Netball v Reading Blue Coat School: Lost 8-54
