The Sports Report returns with a bang this week in what is an action-packed edition. Rowing saw races at Kingston Head, before our senior rowers travelled to Boston for the GB trials. In rugby, there were block fixtures which included matches against St John's Northwood and St Benedict's; and in football, our U13s played in a cup fixture. Meanwhile, the basketball season got up and running with the U16s taking on The Oratory.
Rowing
Kingston Head
On Saturday 5 November, we raced at Kingston Head in their single sculls over 5.2km. We were kindly hosted by Kingston Grammar School for the event which made boating our crews very easy.
F Middleton won the Men's Open Singles by 14 seconds over a sculler from Westminster. 27 single scullers competed in the event - H Harper finished 5th, N Floyd 6th, and F Fox 7th. Fantastic racing from all four boys considering it was their first ever race in a single scull for three of them.
29 J18 girls' singles raced with Shiplake entering 6 girls into the event. J Weir was the first girl home for Shiplake finishing 4th overall. G Catlin finished 10th, A Merrit 12th, S Foreman 13th, E Downing 16th, E Over 17th, O Alexopoulos 25th and H Price 28th .
It was great to get so many students racing their singles which they rarely get to do. For some of these rowers, it was good experience ahead of the GB trials next Saturday. At these trials, they will need to race their singles over 5km.
Report: Mr Dave Currie, Director of Rowing
U19 GB Early Identification Trials
This weekend, a group of our senior rowers travelled to Boston, Lincolnshire to take part in U19 GB Early Identification Trials. This trial is raced over 5km against the best junior rowers in the country.
The girls' U19 division was made up of 99 rowers, all eager to show what they are capable of.
- J Weir 7th
- M Jackson 9th
- E Dowining 21st
- G Catlin 30th
- S Forman 58th
- E Over 81st
The boys' U19 division was made up of 143 competitors. F Middleton had an outstanding race and won the trial by 8 seconds. This is the first time a Shiplake pupil has won a GB trial.
- F Middleton 1st
- H Harper 7th
- L Byca 26th
- F Worthington 28th
- N Floyd 45th
Congratulations to all these athletes for some outstanding results and good luck for the next stage of the process.
Report: Mr Dave Currie, Director of Rowing
Boys' U13A Football v Radnor House Twickenham
As a result of New College School pulling out of the Cup, the U13A team progressed to the next round of the ISFA Cup. Thrilled and excited, we could not wait for the next round. We were anticipating a good match as our visitors, Radnor House Twickenham, had won 14-0 in the first round of the cup. However, we knew that this would be a challenging and hard-fought match for Shiplake as we had only had one training session in the leadup to this fixture.
The conditions were looking good as we headed into our pre-match warmup under the guidance of Mr Claridge. We were ready for our first match of the season. Before we knew it, the whistle echoed throughout the memorial ground to signal the start of the game.
Suddenly, we were engulfed by a series of vigorous tackles from our opponents who were already looking strong. As the ball come back and forth from one side to the other, we gained some momentum which resulted in a counterattack from Shiplake and a goal from A Massie. Things were looking positive. Suddenly, as the end of the first half approached, our opposition managed to grab one back. A disappointing end to the first half.
In the second half, the conditions became very wet as rain danced its way onto the ground. Unfortunately, Radnor House managed to score a controversial goal. We did not let our heads drop though but a disappointing result for Shiplake.
Match report: H Biggs (Captain)
Coach: Mr Ben Claridge
U16 Basketball v The Oratory
Tuesday 8 November saw the return of Shiplake basketball fixtures. Last year, we fielded an U18 team, and this year we have expanded to U14, U16 and U18. Each team will have a small number of matches over the year to give a purpose to the Wednesday lunchtime training sessions. The first game was the U16s vs The Oratory. We actually fielded a young team of mixed Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils who went up against a set of Year 11 boys from The Oratory. A close first two quarters saw a very competitive half time score of 16-10. However, the final half went in Oratory's favour to end 20-35. In this game, K O'Connor scored 11 points, J Henshall 5 points, and R O'Boyle 4 points. A great start to the season and the match was competitive but played in the right spirit.
Coach: Mr Dan Bradley
Rugby
1st XV v Farnborough Sixth Form College
Final score: Lost 3-6
Coaches: Mr Sam Beckett & Mr Tom Armstrong
2nd XV v Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood Boys
The game on Wednesday was a big game for us as it was our Friday Night Lights. The team came in with hopes high as we knew we were going to do our best and try to get the win. The game started and throughout the match, there were a couple of unlucky mistakes that were made which allowed the opposition to sneak through our defensive line a get a couple of tries. After understanding these mistakes, we upped the intensity, and we came back to make the score level. From there, there were many good moments which gave us the upper hand. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the win, but it was a very high intensity game that was very well played by both sides. Final score: Lost 27-38
Match Report: P White
Coaches: Mr Werner Nel & Mr Jamie Wheeler
U12A v St John's Northwood
The U12A team narrowly lost 7-9 to St John's Northwood in what was an incredibly physical match. Shiplake started the better of the two teams taking an early 4-1 lead, but St John's responded and at half time, the scores were level at 4-4. The second half was very open with both teams having their chances to close the match out for victory but frustratingly. we just could not maintain the lead for any length of time. I cannot fault the commitment of all the boys - they all 'stood up' to a tough team and should be proud of their performances.
Try Scorers: F Jenkins (2), O Owens (2), B Keown, L Waldegrave, E Morgan
Coach: Mr Tom Crisford
U12B v St John's Northwood
The U12B team hosted St John’s on Wednesday to see if they could build on their first win of the season just before the half-term break. Shiplake started a little slow and were quickly behind. The boys responded immediately with a great chase from our own restart resulting in T Lane scoring. He then gave us the lead with one of his trademark solo runs, avoiding several tackles. M Lane then showed his strength and determination to break through several tackles before going over for our second try. This period of Shiplake dominance resulted in a great team try from L Baux and a solo run, from his own line, by captain, O Houldsworth. A further two tries from T Lane gave Shiplake a commanding lead at half-time.
The half-time talk was about continuing what we were executing well but also not to let St John’s back into the game, like we have in previous games.
This proved to be prophetic as St John’s scored 8 tries in the second half. This could have been disastrous but for a great team try from debutant O Methven, followed up by another where he demonstrated his strength to push through to the line.
The game was very tight at this stage, but time was running out for St John’s. A fifth try from T Lane gave Shiplake a decisive lead and despite two late tries from St John’s, the team saw out a hard-fought 11-9 victory. Real improvement was obvious, particularly to the watching faithful in the crowd. We look forward to extending our unbeaten run in the next fixture.
Coach: Mr Adie Davies
U13A v St John's Northwood
A nail-biting finish saw the U13A team draw with St John’s, Northwood with three tries a piece. Whilst always being the more organised team, we conceded two early tries to some powerful individual runs. After half time, we got into our stride and strong rucking from the forwards put B Oliver and E Grubb into space; both went over with skill and determination to draw the scores level. Superb cover tackling by C Broad, J Callow and H Biggs prevented further tries whilst a blistering run down the left wing from H Biggs put us ahead. Sadly, a few lapses in concentration allowed St Johns to score right on the final whistle.
Our aim as a team is to improve every time we set foot on the pitch and this, most definitely, we are doing. Rucking is quicker and more efficient; we are making better decisions at lineouts and penalties and the support play is certainly much improved. We march on!
Coach: Mr Nick Brown
U13B v St John's Northwood
Another fixture, another thumping victory for the U13Bs, as St John’s were swept aside 13 tries to 2. This was a very strong team performance with all 12 players contributing in attack and defence, with the improvement to attacking organisation particularly satisfying. The tone was set by D Siddiqui who scored the first of his three tries straight from the kick-off. There was also a hat-trick for Z Sanders, but the real highlight of the game was the defensive contribution of O Griffin who snapped terrier-like into every tackle – a real lesson for the rest of the team.
Coach: Mr Jonathan Ralph
1st XV St Benedict's School
Off the back of a 6-3 loss in the Schools' Bowl on Wednesday (9 November), the 1st XV had a point to prove against St Benedict’s. The whole 18 man squad showed why they were selected, playing their best game yet of the season. St Benedict's capitalised on an individual defensive error to lead at half time 0-10 after scoring a try and converting a penalty.
The second half was similar to the first one with St Benedict’s carrying well and using their backs effectively, scoring after 12 minutes into the second half. The final 30 minutes were all Shiplake with the team carrying hard, and playing with width and endeavour. Pressure on the St Benedict's try line and some slick handling led to a try, dotted down by D Coles. Less than 10 minutes later, B Macleod finished off a well worked attack leaving the score 12-24. An outstanding defensive performance losing the match 3 tries to 2, but huge progress made once again.
Coaches: Mr Sam Beckett & Mr Tom Armstrong
2nd XV v St Benedict's School
The 2nd team were still recovering from a tough match on Wednesday (9 November). With key players injured, St Benedict's started strong and scored a few tries in quick succession. This however did not lower the lads' confidence as we managed to slow down their ball carriers. The match continued to be tough, the lads did not give up until the final whistle. Honourable mentions go to J Greig-Bartram and N Scotchbrook - the latter had their number 5 in his pocket all game, while E Thomas and M Walker both made an impact once brought onto the pitch.
Match Report: E Thomas
Coaches: Mr Werner Nel & Mr Jamie Wheeler
U16A v St Benedict's School
Despite enjoying the majority of possession, St Benedict’s scored the first try of the game - shifting the ball out wide before running in under the posts. Shiplake responded well through excellent work from the forwards, with L Spence and (man of the match) J Lucking carrying well. The visitors were then camped in Benedict's half, before H Edwards broke through the middle, setting up W Ryder to power over from close range. The cultured boot of H Edwards then added the extras to make it 7-7 at half-time.
Shiplake started the second half well, steadily building pressure that resulted in a penalty, which H Edwards duly converted. Shiplake's second try came from a brilliant delayed pass from C Burnett, finding F Hawkes who cut through St Benedict's backline. The ball was then quickly recycled, allowing B Stokes to finish with a good side-step. Another H Edward penalty took Shiplake to 6 points clear, making it 20-14 with 10 minutes to go. This set up a tense finish, and a couple of sloppy penalties led to St Benedict's scoring in the corner. With the last play of the game, St Benedict's fly-half kicked just wide, leaving the final score 19-20 to Shiplake.
Coaches: Mr Andy Dix & Mr Duncan Miller
U15A v St Benedict's School
A bounce week for the U15s. An undisturbed week of preparation after their half term running challenge saw them right the wrongs defensively that occurred before half term. An outstanding performance in defence saw them dominate the contact areas for the first time this season against a bigger St Benedict's team. Double hits saw the opposition struggle to go anywhere, but unforced errors in possession of the ball meant Shiplake gifted three easy tries to a clinical counter attacking side. Limited time in possession and support play at the rucks meant the U15s struggled to get into any sort of rhythm in attack, but a defensive stand throughout the game meant everyone came away pleased with the new standards that have been set by the squad. A loss of 26-7 that didn’t reflect the game.
Player of the Week: J Scotchbrook
Coaches: Mr Robbie Edwards & Mr Dan Bradley
U14A v St Benedict's School
This has to be the U14As best game this season. Although it was a 17-7 loss, they came up against a well drilled, physical side. We had two tries held up and one denied due to a forward pass. Great tackling from J Morgan and M Ball. A fantastic try from a maul from J Henshaw.
Coaches: Mr Richard Curtis & Mr Jack Cooper
U14B v St Benedict's School
This was anticipated to be a very close contest, which it was for the first half but Shiplake managed to go into the break 15-5 ahead thanks to tries from H Taphouse, Z Wood and L Hilton although we still felt we had more to give. The second half saw Shiplake take complete control especially with the forwards turning over 12 scrums! We continued to press on and ran out comfortable winners, in what could have been a much closer game, 44-5 thanks to tries from D O’Brien, H Taphouse, S Lingard, E Moir and J Terry plus conversions from H Kyle and L Hilton. Another strong performance from the team that seems to keep on improving.
Coaches: Mr Paul Jones & Mr Bertie Gingell
