Sports Report 9 November 2021

It was a fantastic return to fixtures after half term, with victories for the girls in hockey against LVS, and for our 2nd XV and U16 sides in rugby against Mill Hill. Despite loses in our other rugby fixtures, there was some great rugby played.

Hockey

The girls travelled away to LVS in Ascot and came home with an excellent victory. The team put in their best performance of the season facilitated by every girl playing to their potential and the team pulling together tactically very well. A goal in the first half and the second half gave Shiplake a 2-0 victory. The opposition never looked like threatening our goal and the only surprise was the score remained at 2-0 only. To mention any individual would be to detract from a great team performance - so well done to all.

Rugby

1st XV - Mr Beckett 

The 1st XV, bolstered by the return of H Kunzig and S Bourke in the back row, had prepared well all week in the lead up to Round 3 of the Schools' Vase. Shiplake started strongly; A Arnold with a Danny Cipriani-esque chip over the Mill Hill defence for J Angell to collect and saunter over the line, effectively unopposed. J Blacknell added the extras, 7-0. Mill Hill responded within minutes showing very little in the softer aspects of rugby and muscled over a try under the posts. Mill Hill’s fly half was once again heavily involved in their second try but the 1st XV players went into half time 7-12 down and knew it would be a tight second half.

Shiplake pressure and excellent control led to a well-worked team try with J Lynskey scoring after some slick handling by J Angell and A Arnold. 12-12. The final 17 minutes of the match were all Mill Hill. Three unanswered tries in the closing stages of the game sent Mill Hill into Round 4. A well-fought contest, with Shiplake playing better rugby throughout but ending up the wrong side of the score line, largely due to the power of the Mill Hill Nos. 6, 8 and 10.

2nd XV - Mr Geyton

On a cold day the 2nd XV travelled to North London to face opponents Mill Hill. The game started off with high intensity powered by M Aitken and S Edwards. Efficiency in the backs from B Wallace and O Stalder allowed them to create harmony and art. O Stalder scored the first try from a lovely single piece dummying the opponents. He strided like a gazelle and allowed the team mentality to rise and carry momentum into the 2nd half.

H Suter had his 2nd XV debut proving his immaculate maturity on the pitch scoring two tries and looking like a promising starter for the next remaining games. T Sharp, M Aitken and A Triggs put some stupendous hits into their back line. Lastly T Carpenter had an exquisite break from our five metre line running the whole pitch offloading last minute to J Macleod scoring a potential try of the season and earning them and A Triggs Men of the Match. 

Final score 27-13 to Shiplake. A big thank you to Mr Geyton and Mr Wheeler, we couldn't have done it without you!

Report by T Sharp

U16A - Mr Bowden

The approach of the U16 group was really positive as they contested their first home game. After a patch of pressure and going behind to a strong period of play from Mill Hill, the Shiplake team got possession and settled into their patterns of play. Tries from W Diver and L Burwash either side of half time was the difference and the control of the game after going 16 points up was great to see. Shiplake 26-10 Mill Hill.

U16B - Mr Lawson

An excellent game of open running rugby played in great spirit. End to end action, a real team performance, so it is very hard to single out players. However, J Gosby made several exciting breaks and his second try was a superb individual effort. Final score 34-26 to Shiplake.

U15A - Mr Dix

Shiplake U15As were perhaps fortunate to only be 3-0 down at half time but defended well on their line. Glimpses of how they can play either side of half time, with captain C Burnett leading the way, but the squad know that they did not maintain the standards we had seen before half term. Final score 0-17 to Mill Hill. The squad know to train well this week!

U15B - Mr Miller

A fantastic start, with A Siveter scoring in the corner after five minutes. Strong defence kept the score at 5-0 until two quick tries just before half time, swung the game in Mill Hill's favour. Despite a second try from Siveter late in the second half, Mill Hill went on to win 24-10. A Tufail, P Gilbertson and G Prosser all had excellent games.

U14A - Mr Cooper

The 14As had their best game this season with tries from A Cheek and E Jones. Going 2-0 up in the first half. Despite this improvement Mill Hill got back into the game and it finished 2-2. Special shout out to W Tavinor who had his best game this season and didn't put a foot wrong all match.

U14B - Dr D’Rozario

Yes, we lost but we tackled well. A huge improvement on previous weeks. Notable mention to H Carlsson who made some outstanding tackles! We need to work on passing and positional play: but we are getting better with every game!