Sports Report 22 March 2022

We had some good wins against Marlborough in football last week, and the girls played a brilliant match against the Oratory despite a loss. In netball the girls played their last games of the season with the A Team crowned league winners. In Hockey our team showed great determination in defence against Sir William Borlase. Congratulations to our Year 9 rowers who took part in the Scullery Head at Dorney Lake too, there were some really encouraging results from both boats for their first ever competition.  

Hockey

Last Tuesday, the 1st XI hockey team played against Sir William Borlase. This was the second match of the season coming off the back of a strong win a few weeks ago.We had had little chance to train as a whole team leading into the match, however we began well.  Great defensive work from the team allowed us to finish the first half 0-0.

Our opponents had had a fantastic season with many wins which left us content with the first half performance. Strong individual play from A Thomson, L Poundall and F Heggie meant gaps began to show with S Mealing taking full advantage, consistently driving it towards our D. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish off any of our chances. The game finished 2-0 to SWB, with two goals in quick succession.  Nonetheless, this performance stands us in good stead for our next match against RGS High Wycombe.

Report by A Thomson, Hockey Captain

Netball

A Team vs Claire's Court School (27-4)

On Wednesday the A team played their last game of the league for this season. They have formed an amazing team and been practically unbeaten the whole term. The team played Claire's Court School having an amazing win of 27-4. Even though this game was cut a little bit shorter (due to the bad weather), it just meant that the girls had to try harder to win the league. Player of the match went to E Pendlebury for her amazing movement in the attacking half and always being available. She has improved massively this year! Players' player went to M Adams for her movement in the circle. Well done to all the A team girls who have worked so hard and have gotten really far with their netball skills and ability this season. Miss Mordue is really proud of everyone's effort.

Report by M Adams, A Team Netball Captain

C Team vs Reading Blue Coat (14-21)

On Wednesday 16 March, Shiplake C Netball Team had a great match against Reading Blue Coat C Team. Shiplake started strong with excellent centre passes from S Goggins and I Wood quickly moving it down the court where S Reid and M Short were scoring some excellent goals. Shiplake ended the second half with 4-4, making it a tight and exciting game. Shiplake managed to convert some passes to goals but unfortunately Blue Coat stole one too many goals. After a good team talk before the final quarter, Shiplake were ready to go. With some great teamwork, Shiplake managed to keep up their defence, with some excellent rebounds from H Parsons. After a great game from both teams, Blue Coat only just managed to take the win and player of the match went to GD D Jenkins.

Report by Milly Short, C Team Netball Captain

Football

First XI vs Marlborough (3-6)

An excellent game from the First XI against difficult opposition and playing against Tony Adam's son is always going to be difficult. The score line doesn’t represent the drive and determination of the boys and despite some mistakes and terrific keeping from the opposition, the close game ended a 6-3 loss for Shiplake. Player of the match goes to J Cooper.

Second XI vs Marlborough (2-0)

Another superb performance from the seconds who came away from Marlborough with a 2-0 victory. Goals from H Saker and L Morgan in the first half put Shiplake in a commanding position. A disciplined second half ensured the team kept their first clean sheet of the season. Congratulations to the boys on another fine win. Player of the match went to H Saker who put in a truly inspirational performance. 

Third XI vs Marlborough (2-4)

A tough game fought out in the fields of Wiltshire ended up in defeat for the Fighting Thirds. Carnage at the start of the game saw our heroes quickly find themselves 4-0 and struggling, with several injuries picked up along the way. However, instead of letting heads drop, they carried on fighting throughout, going for every ball, competing for every header, battling for each other and for the pride of the badge on their shirt.

They slowly re-gained control of the pitch, with C Fitzsimons a commanding presence in the middle, and L Pottier weaving wonderfully forward time and time again. Then, in the last 10 minutes, our heroes rallied magnificently. Impact sub C Stewart entered the fray to start propelling the midfield, and then scored a sensational volley - surely a contender for goal of the season. Following this the Thirds threw themselves forward, with H Batchelor scoring his inevitable goal, and setting up an exciting last 5 minutes. The Red Terror made their last frantic attacks, and had it gone on moments longer it could have all turned around, leaving us all slightly confused as to what exactly had gone so irreparably wrong at the start.

Fourth XI vs Marlborough (3-0)

Despite a curtailed match due to the late arrival of the team bus, the Fourths ran out comfortable winners against Marlborough College with a final score of 3-0. Two sublime first half goals by S Chambers put Shiplake in the ascendancy and rocket into the far corner of the net by B Bland seated the victory. It was an all-round great team performance and a worthy end to our season. 

Fifth XI vs Marlborough (4-1)

An excellent performance for the fifths despite the tight timings for the game. A solid performance all round.

Girls vs Oratory (0-4)

On Thursday 17 March, the Shiplake girls' football team had one last match against The Oratory. It was an amazing sunny day for the match and all the girls were ready to give it their best, with a large squad ready to go! Shiplake started the match strong, making good play to the opposition's goal. E Browne took part in some amazing free kicks and S Reid and G Garner were a strong force upfront. M Adams and E Lambert helped maintain formation in defence, fighting off the opposition. 

The final score was 4-0 to The Oratory, however this result does not reflect the amazing play and enthusiasm of all the girls. The player of the match went to E Harris, with her amazing runs with the ball, managing to dodge past the entirety of The Oratory's defence. The girls, over the entire season, have played amazingly and Miss Mordue, Miss Lane and Mr Cooper couldn't be any more proud of them. 

Report by Issy Hepburn, Girls' Football Captain

Rowing

The Scullery

The Year 9 boys (J14s) participated in their first ever national rowing competition, the Scullery Head at Dorney Lake last week and despite the fact that it poured down and they were soaked wet through, they went on to do some excellent rowing. The A boat finished 15th out of 48 (beating Oratory, Blue Coats and Pangbourne) and the B boat finished 33rd out of 48, as they were both racing in the same category. Well done to all the boys who took part for their hard work and determination.

The J16 quad also compeated in the event for their first time ever due to Covid restrictions not allowing the event to run for the last two years. They came 23rd out of 35 boats.