Sports Report 15 February

15 February 2022

In this week's sports report there were some very close matches in football against Reading Blue Coat and Sir William Borlase Grammar School. In netball the girls took on The Oratory, LVS and Reddam House with some very encouraging results. Our rowers also did brilliantly at the Henley 4s and 8s Head where we entered two girls VIIIs for the first time in Shiplake History!

Football

1st XI v RBCS (2-4)

A close game for the 1st XI which could have gone either way. Despite an unideal start, Shiplake battled back to 2-2 at the half, with O Lewis’s well-taken effort on the break, as well as top scorer, A Arnold, who won a penalty and converted from the spot. Reading Blue Coat started the second half well adding from a cross, which looped over the goal keeper into the top corner.

3-2 down, J Biggin on debut beat two defenders before being fouled in the box, giving Shiplake the chance to level the score. Archie went to the right for the second time, and this time the keeper wasn’t fooled, saving excellently. Shiplake’s pressure continued and committed before being counterattacked, with Blue Coat adding their fourth. A game of narrow margins and we look forward to Wednesday's fixture.

2nd XI v RBCS (2-2)

Another determined performance from the 2nds resulting in a 2-2 draw at Reading Blue Coat. Shiplake started strongly and H Poustie scored an early goal. Shiplake couldn't capitalise and allowed Blue Coat to find their rhythm. Blue Coat were leading 2-1 deep into the second half. Shiplake never gave up and their efforts were rewarded when O Stalder tucked the ball away with 5 minutes to go. Well done to all the boys for showing passion and desire up to the final whistle. Man of the match was M Connolly who played his first match for the 2nds.

3rd XI v RBCS (1-2)

The opening exchange was frantic, with Blue Coat quickly being awarded a dubious penalty. However, fantastic keeper M Hepburn kept his cool and made a full-stretch diving save. He then proceeded to dominate his penalty area, repeatedly coming for the ball and making saves wherever necessary. The team fought hard to keep the score at 0-0 by half-time, with T Sharp and C Fitzsimmons weathering the storm as resolutely as sentinels on the beaches of Dunkirk. In the second half, the game remained firmly poised. Blue Coat managed to score on the break, and then a direct free-kick made it 2-0. However, all the Fantastic Thirds kept battling, with excellent skipper B Fundell tirelessly running up the wing. Star striker C Stewart had earlier come agonisingly close to finding an equaliser after he made a wounding run through the Blue Coat defence. Then a determined drive by F Stewart resulted in a penalty that midfield maestro L Pottier perfectly slotted into the bottom corner in the last kick of the game - a collective sigh of relief went around the Blue Coat field, as they had been undoubtedly saved by the whistle. A difficult away defeat, but another fierce, unified and battling performance from our heroes. We are really proud of them.

4th XI v 5th XI

With no game scheduled for the senior 4th and 5th teams, a select group of players went to Memorial Field to contest the inaugural Jaffa Cake Cup between Mr Wheeler's Rapids and Mr Read's Dynamos. The score was tied at half-time so only in the second half was the cup decided with Mr Read's Dynamo's lifting the Jaffa cakes victorious on the back of a 5-3 victory. Braces from O Roullier and F Shorten proved decisive.

U15A v RBCS (1-2)

After a hard fought first half, Reading Blue Coat went into the break 1-0 up. Shiplake rallied well in the second half and managed to equalise through a well-taken A Siveter goal. Despite some excellent performances in defence, from B Stokes, W Rider and H Edwards, Blue Coat found a winner in the closing stages. A good team performance and plenty to build on for the next game.

U15B v RBCS (2-2)

A highly contested game where, after last week’s defeat, the boys have bounced back.

U14A v RBCS (0-4)

An afternoon fueled by fantastic football and an incredible desire to play some positive football. Again despite a solid performance for 75% of the game, the U14s didn’t have the stamina to keep RBCS at bay. Player of the match performance by F Baikie and J Lamburn.

U14B v RBCS (4-2)

After four defeats in a row the team put in a much improved performance and were able to go into half-time 2-1 ahead. Both goals coming from corners, which they had practised during the week. The second half continued in the same vein with the Shiplake team pressing the opposition high up the pitch and scoring two more goals. A 4-2 win the final score.

U12A v Sir William Borlase (5-6)

The U12As had a thriller of a match on Friday afternoon narrowly losing 5-6 to a well drilled Sir William Borlase team. H Biggs was commanding throughout the game in the middle of the pitch and defenders O Spearing and J Calow kept us in the game with some goal line defending. C Cooper in goal was also outstanding!

U12B v Sir William Borlase (2-3)

The U12B team gave a fine performance narrowly losing 3-2 against Sir William Borlase. Goal scorers were O Thomas and J Martin. As the match wore on, we kept pressing and ran out of time for the equaliser. Well done to R Elms who had a fine game in goal (even saving a penalty). Well done also to Year 13 pupil S Looney who refereed the match, remaining professional and impartial throughout.

Netball

As v The Oratory (35-17)

On Wednesday 9 February, the Shiplake Netball A Team girls had a brilliant match playing The Oratory A Team and winning 35-17. After the first quarter, Shiplake had a close lead on The Oratory winning by six goals but really improved the quality of play in the last few quarters of the match. The Shiplake girls have started to settle into their positions on court and were becoming stronger as a team as the game went on. E Browne got Player of the Match for her excellent interception down the court, also including a brilliant back up for the attack. M Adams received Players' Player for her excellent shooting during the match. Well done girls!

Report by M Adams, A Team Netball Captain

Bs v LVS Ascot (21-18)

On Wednesday 9 February, Shiplake B Netball Team played a league match against LVS Ascot's A Team. Shiplake won the first centre and within a few minutes into the game, Shiplake were able to score a few goals. With great defence from A Townsend and S Murray, Shiplake were able to put great pressure on the LVS attacking players. Then with accurate passes from E Harris and T Firth, Shiplake managed to convert the passes to goals. After a few changes at half time and a good team talk, Shiplake were ready to go. There was great shooting from M Fisher and S Reid, and with T Firth passing the ball accurately into the shooters, Shiplake managed to score some more goals, even with the very tight defence from LVS in the last quarter. After a strongly contested game, and great play from both teams, Shiplake took the win with the final score 21-18 to Shiplake. Player of the match went to M Fisher.

Report by Sophie Murray - B Team Netball Captain

Cs v Reddam House (8-17)

On Wednesday 9 February, Shiplake's C Team had a great match against Reddam House B Team. Shiplake started strong with excellent centre passes from S Goggins and C Garnett and quickly moved the ball own the court where D Jenkins and A Baiden were aiming for some goals. Shiplake ended the second half with 4-0 to Reddam House, so after a team talk, they quickly realised they had to up their game. Shiplake managed to convert some passes to goals but unfortunately Reddam managed to steal too many goals. After a good team talk before the final quarter, Shiplake were ready to go. With some great team work, Shiplake managed to keep up their defence, with some excellent rebounds from J Pallett. After a great game from both teams, Reddam House only just managed to take the win, with the final score 17-8 to Reddam House. Player of the match went to the Shiplake goal attack, M Short.

Report by M Short - C Team Netball Captain

Rowing

Last weekend Shiplake entered two girls VIII’s for the very first time, A mixed 2nd/3rd VIII and the J15s entered two boats into Henley 4s and 8s Head.

The girls squad put up an impressive performance, entering two 8s for the first time in Shiplake history. After switching from sculling to sweep with the majority of athletes never having swept before, the girls 1st VIII (with E Webb at bow, S Maleham, C Green, J Weir, M Oakes, M Jackson M Hadfield and M Vickerman at stroke with W Fisher coxing) placed second to Henley Rowing Club with seven seconds ahead of a strong crew, Surbiton High school who made the Henley Royal final in the previous season. The girls 2nd VIII (with L Stokes, R Pendlebury, P Young, A McCarthy, H Boddy, G Hallmann, A Timms and G Catlin at stroke with M Walker Coxing) raced in the same category and also displayed determination, placing 5th in very challenging conditions. These promising results have set high hopes for the season, and shown depth within the development of the girls squad, adding to the ongoing legacy the girls squad are creating.

The mixed 2nd/3rd VIII had a very strong race in the first division, working against the very tricky conditions with strong winds, but their determination was worth it, achieving first place in their categories. Congratulations to L Swinburne-Johnson at bow, G Elliot, L Creighton, S Verzone, T Houghton, M Provoost, N Floyd and G Fitzgerald at stroke and cox O Joiner. The performance of the two J15 VIII’s that entered was amazing too, taking away first and second place, racing against each other.

Overall Shiplake College took away an amazing set of results on the water, showing excellent potential for Schools Head congratulations to all those who raced.