What an amazing week our sports men and women have had. Plenty of wins with clear highlights in the girls winning the Wandsworth Netball Tournament and then a win last week against Ranelagh who are currently top and unbeaten in the league! There were some brilliant results against Magdalen College School (MCS) in football, with many teams securing their first win of the season, including the U13As against John Hampden Grammar.
Netball
Wandsworth Tournament
On Saturday 5 March, the Girls’ Netball A team entered their first tournament this season. Although they lost their first match, they continued fighting, keeping their heads held high with an amazing attitude and support given to each other. They played their second match and third match against Ryde and Pangbourne, showing real determination, winning 15-2, and 11-3. Continuing the winning streak they played the match deciding whether they would make the semi-final and won 8-4. Filled with excitement and pride to see how far they’d come, they beat KCS Wimbledon in the semi-finals, 8-2, putting Shiplake into the final against Reeds. They all knew this was going to be a difficult game but everyone kept strong, played their own game and came out with a strong win, the score being 6-4. R Allen played amazingly as GS holding her space and her shooting being incredibly accurate. Also, P Young played really well in defence (playing after having rowed in the morning!). Player of the final match went to G Garner for her outstanding play and attitude in the team, helping to give support when needed and always being available. The girls then chose a girl who thought performed well throughout the whole tournament with the award going to E Lambert, who put out an amazing play throughout the games as GD. She gained multiple interceptions, backed up the attack and is an overall amazing defender. The girls should all be incredibly proud of themselves with the win, beating 9 teams overall. The girls would not have been able to win without the support of Miss Mordue and Miss James who gave up their time to support and umpire the matches throughout the whole day.
Report by M Adams, A Team Netball Captain
A Team v Ranelagh
The Netball A team played their biggest game of the season, to try and win the league, playing against Ranelagh. They played an excellent match winning 31-26. Thank you to all the supporters who came and watched! It was a close game the whole way through, with Shiplake being up 1 or 2 goals for most of the game. In the last quarter the girls got ahead by 5 goals and kept that difference, by keeping their head held high and pushing as hard as they could. This is the first time Shiplake has beaten Ranelagh in six years, so the girls should be incredibly proud of themselves! M Berry was voted Player of the Match from the opposition and Shiplake were really proud of her play as she came on at half time and played really well; intercepting and grabbing the rebounds. M Berry always puts into play what she is taught and excels at it every time, well played! M Adams also got Players' Player for her excellent shooting. All round the A team should be really impressed in how far they have come this season!
Report by M Adams, A Team Netball Captain
B Team v Leighton Park
On Wednesday 9 March, Shiplake B Team played a league match against Leighton Park. With Leighton Park winning the first centre, Shiplake were keen to turn the ball over. A few minutes into the game, Shiplake were able to score a few goals. With great defence from A Townsend and I Hepburn, Shiplake were able to put great pressure on the Leighton Park attacking players. Then with accurate passes from G Mckie-King and S Murray, Shiplake managed to convert the passes to goals. After a few changes at half time and a good team talk, Shiplake were leading 14-8. With some great shooting from M Fisher and S Reid, and with T Firth passing the ball accurately into the shooters, Shiplake managed to score more goals, even with the very tight defence from Leighton Park. After a strongly contested game, and great play from both teams, Shiplake took the win. Player of the match went to T Firth.
Report by S Murray, B Team Netball Captain
Football
Coaches of the month: Mr K Heaney and Mr E Olhausen
First XI vs MCS (4-3)
A fantastic first win for the First XI. A true combination of their footballing ability and sportsman mentality; going 1-0 down in the first 20 minutes awoke the squad but despite a 2 yard tap in, we were left trailling 2-1 at the break. The second half was everything the boys have been training for over the last few months, an O Lewis screamer, a sublime finish by T Carpenter and a beautiful one on one finish for the final goal by W Diver resulted in a 4-3 victory. Player of the match goes to S Gillen for providing calm in the centre of the pitch and feeding W Diver's last goal with a pass Kevin De Bruyne would be proud of. Special mention also to T Rossouw for providing a fantastic save in the dying moments.
Second XI vs MCS (6-2)
Captained by L Morgan, the 2nd XI played the almost perfect match with a resounding 6-2 victory against Magdalen College School. Thank you to the boys who gave their all for the cause and put in some inspirational individual performances. H Poustie scored a goal of the session contender with a flying header which was met with absolute precision. Man of the match went to L Morgan who shone in his new role as centre forward.
Third XI vs MCS (6-4)
Our heroes initially found themselves 1-0 down in a chaotic opening exchange, but quickly rallied with inspirational Captain B Fundell making a weaving run down the wing and then delivering a lethal cross which was met by M Noble, who rushed across the pitch to turn the ball into the roof of the net. From there, the attack was relentless. The captain then scored for himself from a tight-angle, followed by H Sector capping his menacing attacking performance by battling to turn in another cross at the far-post for 3-1 by half time. Magdalen fought to bring the score back to 3-2. However, with nerves on edge, C Fitzsimons lanced a wounding strike into the top left hand corner from outside the box, a quality goal possibly matched shortly after by B Fundell striking again, bringing his tally for the season up to 4. Then, with Magdalen still pushing to get back into the game, striker H Batchelor marked his sensational comeback and was rewarded for his tireless running by scoring the coup de grace - masterfully bringing down a long-ball and rounding the keeper before rolling his shot into an empty net. With an insurmountable defence keeping guard, including superb, fighting performances in particular by H Stokes and T Sharp, and some extraordinary saves by M Hepburn - at one point making a split-second reaction to leap into the air and implausibly tip a shot over the bar - the Fighting Thirds saw the game through and earned another crucial league win.
Fourth XI vs MCS (13-0)
Shiplake started the game brightly and an early own goal conceded by the hosts set the tone. The defence was well organised with A Esslemont and E Thomas in control. Fluid passing and accurate delivery meant the goals came quickly with S Chambers, H Sharp, H Grayson and B Wallace all making the scoresheet. Special mentions go to C Kerrison, who scored a hat trick and player of the match F Shorten, who bagged five and finished the match with a bloody nose after an over exuberant celebration with B Wallace. A great team performance by the 4ths and we are looking forward to Marlborough on Thursday.
U15A vs MCS (5-3)
The sunshine and showers during the warm up set the tone for an unpredictable thriller over on New Field. Despite playing up a year group, Shiplake dominated possession and were soon peppering the Magdalen goal, with H Edwards and W Jennings delivering some dangerous balls into the box. It was not long before top scorer, A Siveter, converted one of these chances to make it 1-0 to Shiplake. However, Magdalen replied within 5 minutes - levelling the scores and putting the pressure back onto the hosts. The sides then continued to trade goals, until L Spence put the result beyond doubt - completing his hat-trick and giving Shiplake a (very welcome) two goal cushion.
Man of the Match: L Spence
U15B vs MCS (8-1)
The boys bounced back from some difficult results in an imposing performance versus Magdalen College. Furthermore, the boys were sporting throughout and represented the College impeccably. Well done 15Bs!
U14A vs Berks Elite FC (1-8)
The team faced a tough challenge playing an academy club side. We kept things tight early on but conceded an unlucky penalty for handball. This somewhat opened the floodgates with 3 more quick goals. We bounced back to score but were outplayed late on as fitness wained. An outrageous quadruple save from H Arnold in goal was the moment of the match.
U13A vs John Hampden (4-3)
A much improved performance for the Year 8 (U13) A team, who played on Friday afternoon and secured a 4-3 win against John Hampden Grammar School. Fine goals were scored by O Wright, E Dickenson, D Johnson-Greenwood and S Baker.
U12A vs Oratory Prep (5-2)
With the home advantage, the Shiplake U12A team embarked on their second home fixture on the football calendar under the patronages of Mr Crisford and Mr MCcraw. We believed deep down that we could triumph a first home victory of the season. Since the last match, that loss against Borlase has made us stronger and we were determined to play with more confidence in the final third. The whistle blew and we were off. We were straight into the tackles not letting the ball into our half. We won the ball numerous times and we were dominating. As a result of this, our first goal came straight away from the captain, H Biggs, from a great left foot smash from out of the box. 1-0. However, Oratory were starting to get into the game and were vigorously trying to score. Suddenly, another goal came from the captain, H Biggs, producing a lovely half volley over the keeper into the opposition's net. 2-0. A few minutes later they scored their first goal of the game from a penalty. 2-1. After that just before halftime, O Spearing produced a really nice goal into the bottom corner. 3-1. Once we were energised and ready to play again, we were off to commence the second half.
The second half was much the same as the first. We were producing crunching tackles however Oratory were starting to attack further up the field. In a blink of an eye, we were celebrating once again as a result of a good goal from Z Sanders. 4-1. In a blink of an eye A Massie produced a good goal. 5-1 Suddenly, a wave of crunching tackles and shots from the Oratory left us shocked. Few minutes later, they scored from a lovely free kick. 4-2, But yet again we were back and ready for a fight. But this time, outstanding saves from C Cooper leaping to Mars to save a really exceptional save. Not once, but twice C Cooper repeated the same size as the first, a tremendous stop. Once the full time whistle blew we were all happy and celebrating. I would like to thank Mr Crisford for organising this fixture and over the moon for a win. I can’t wait for the next fixture for another enthralling game.
Report by H Biggs U12A Captain
U12B vs Oratory Prep (0-2)
First half - We set foot on the front field with hope that we’d get our first win. We kicked off the match trying to keep the ball out of our goal. The Oratory started working well as a team and got close to our goal a few times but our defence didn't let them shoot. After a while of strong play from both teams Oratory got in our half making it past our defence and managed to get a goal. We started this next bit of play well getting in their half a few times but not getting any shots because of their tight defence. We attacked well for the rest of the half but we ended this half one nil down.
Second half - The second half began with us attacking well but they got in our half a few times putting pressure on us. We had a strong defence made up of J Swankie, B Oliver and W O'Callaghan keeping them from our goal. A few minutes into the second half, the Oratory Prep got a free kick near the halfway line, they got the ball to their striker who went for a shot but missed. We kept getting the ball up but not making any shots on goal. After a bit they got another chance on goal but our goalie R Stewart saved it. About halfway through the second half we got our first free kick but we missed and the ball went to the goalie. The game went on with them getting another shot on goal but missed again. The ball went up and down the pitch but no one got any shots until the last few minutes when we got a free kick it went to one of our players but they were tackled and their striker got the ball making a run to our goal, he shot and our goalie dived nearly saving it but it had just slipped in.
Girls v MCS (1-3)
On Saturday 12 March, Shiplake College Girls' Football Team took on the challenge of battling Magdalen School. Shiplake started the match in torrential rain but luckily, this didn’t dampen the girls' spirits too much. Shiplake started with a strong defence and our top two strikers of C Wapshire and S Reid.
Report by I Hepburn, Girls' Football Captain
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