Wet weather unfortunately scuppered the plans for many fixtures last week but it was still possible to complete some cricket, rounders and rowing matches, as well as hold a tennis tournament for the Year 9 tennis pupils.
Cricket
Girls v Female Staff
A fantastic cricket match from Gilson on Friday afternoon. With the staff batting first, the girls were ready on the fielding. There was great bowling seen from all the girls but specifically Laura Pasmore and Poppy Whitfield. There were some fantastic runs from the staff, especially Mrs Bayley and Mrs Green scoring a cumulative total 28 and 31. Anna Galpin and Maddie Adams were our star batters of the match, with some amazing play from Selwyn, Harris and Bradbury. The girls all played very well and are ready for their cricket match against Leighton Park after half term. Well done everyone and thank you to Miss Mordue for organising the match and Mr Geyton for scoring the game.
Report by Antonia Tunnicliffe
1st XI v Epsom College
On May 11 Shiplake 1st XI travelled to Epsom College for the second round of the Under 17 National Cup. Shiplake batted first and set a competitive total of 151 in 30 overs, with notable contributions of 32 for S Gillen who opened the batting and Henry Kunzig who came in with the score at 76-5 and rescued the innings with an attacking, powerful and entertaining knock of 48 from 44 balls that included 3 sixes. Shiplake's plans to restrict Epsom were spoiled by their captain who guided his side to victory with a controlled and mature 81 not out.
1st XI v The Oratory
The following day the 1st XI faced our neighbours at The Oratory for a second time and were keen to overturn their loss in the first week of the season. Shiplake again batted first and lost top order batsmen Oliver Stalder and Milo Griffiths early on. Jai Angell (26) and S Gillen (17) stabilised the innings and then Harry Batchelor came in at the end and batted well to set Oratory the target of 106 in 20 overs. Oliver Stalder, Harry Batchelor and Lewis O'Donoghue all bowled well in the second innings but just couldn't put enough pressure on the opposition batsmen to slow the scoring rate. The Oratory wicket keeper and opening batsman scored a confident 54 that helped them to comfortably chase the target.
U14A v The Oratory
Oratory 132-6. Hat trick of wickets from Louis Crerar who wins the match ball! Who finished with figures of 4 overs, 4 wickets for 7 runs. Henry Benton and Oscar Morris took a wicket each. Much better 'performance' in the field which was a main goal. Lost but Henry Benton also batted responsibly.
Other Results
College House v Shiplake Staff: TBC
2nd XI v The Oratory: Won by 6 wickets
U15A v The Oratory: Lost by 15 runs
Rowing
Schoolboy rowing has had to evolve: instead of tootling off with trailers loaded with boats and crews in minibuses to exotic regattas in faraway places like Bedford, schools have opted for the traditional home and away fixture. St Edward's School rolled up at the imposing Davies Centre last Saturday, where Mr Settle had masterminded a feast of rowing entertainment.
Shiplake’s two J14 octuples and a 'septuple', along with the J15 VIII, took to the water for a time trial, followed by some matched short races. All very informal, no winners or losers, just jolly good fun. The septuple took on St Edward's J15B B VIII, and showed phenomenal spirit over three short bursts. Their opposition looked a bit surprised and indignant when they saw the 4 man in the Shiplake boat was invisible. However they nodded understandingly when the coach explained this was due to him being excessively shy and retiring.
Meanwhile, the J15 VIIIs duel ended with honour satisfied on both sides, the heavier St Edward's crew’s power was cancelled out by the technical skill instilled by coach Settle.
So ended an eventful but highly productive afternoon, with all crews enjoying the fun of side by side racing, and coxes discovering that their steering skills and reactions have to rival those of F1 drivers.
The J15s, having got a taste for racing, are off to Shrewsbury this Saturday... report to follow!
Rounders
Team One v Claire's Court School
On Wednesday 12 May, the Year 12 and 13 girls played their second match of the season against Claire’s Court School. Shiplake began batting and with only 20 bowls and a bit of a rocky start, Shiplake managed to produce some great hits with Issy Hepburn and Rada Pandeva scoring full rounders. After batting, it was Shiplake's turn to field. With big hitters on the opposing team, we all came together to produce new tactics and strategies. Immediately this helped us turn around the score after our loss after the first innings of 15-7 to Claire's Court, to produce an astounding 11-4 to Shiplake after the second innings. Player of the match went to Maddie Adams who was amazing, not only producing great catches on second base, but hitting almost every ball and still managing to score regardless of whether she hit the ball. After the first and second innings, Shiplake and Claire's Court put both teams together and played one big rounders match. Special mentions go to Eva Harris and Charlie Bradbury for catching out two of the opposing players. This was a fun and friendly game, and helped everyone further their progress in the batting and fielding skills.
Team Two v Claire's Court School
On Wednesday, Team Two played their second rounders match this year against Claire's Court School. Shiplake started by fielding where Sophie Murray threw some fantastic bowls that the opposition struggled to hit. All fielders worked hard in their positions and successfully managed to get numerous players from Claire's Court out. This included stumping batters out on first base (Maddie Fisher), second base (Georgina Garner) and on fourth base (Helena Putner), as well as some remarkable catches from all fielders. Anna Galpin, player of the match, worked tremendously well as a backstop, with accurate passing and catching to Georgina Garner on second base, preventing the batting team from scoring 'half rounders'. Milly Short also stood out with her deep fielding, forcing her to throw long balls, in which she performed successfully. All girls were supportive and friendly to each other and the opposition, creating a competitive and positive atmosphere, allowing everyone to improve their skills and look forward to more games to come. The score was; first innings: 7-2 to Shiplake and second innings 11-5 to Claire's Court.
Georgina Garner, Year 12
Tennis
In the Shiplake Year 9 tennis tournament on Saturday, congratulations to Seb Mealing who defeated runner-up Dillon Higgins 6-4 in a well contested final.
