This week's action-packed Sports Report features all the news from a busy week of sport! Block football fixtures returned with our teams taking on St Edward's School, and there were also netball and hockey fixtures scattered throughout. Meanwhile, our senior rowers took to the water over the weekend, and there were also start of season fixtures for our boys' U16 rugby 7s team and our boys' U16 basketball team.
Basketball
Boys' U16 vs The Oratory
Our U16 basketball team, consisting of mainly Year 9 pupils due to a football cup fixture for the Year 10s and 11s, took on a gigantic Oratory team on the afternoon of Tuesday 31 January. Although the majority of the opposing players were twice the size of our side, it was an extremely competitive game with the result just tipping in The Oratory's favour 25-27 at the end of the final quarter. Players of the match was J Satterly and J Henshall. Best defender was M Shevlane.
Nonetheless, it was an exceptional team effort with everyone contributing to the performance. We now look forward to seeing the U18 basketball team in action on Tuesday 7 February at home against The Oratory.
Coach: Dr C Rousseau
Football
Girls’ 1st XI vs Magdalen School
On Saturday 4 February, Shiplake's girls’ 1st XI took to Front Field for their second game of the season against Magdalen School. The contest had a strong start with the teams being evenly matched. However, the other team had an amazing set of strikers who managed to score a goal within the first 15 minutes, and if it wasn't for the amazing goalkeeper, R Allen, the score would have been a lot higher.
By half-time, it was 2-0 to Magdalen - they managed to get the ball down the pitch a number of times and this made their lead greater. They had two free kicks close to the box, which were both defended by the wall made up of M Berry, I Wood, S Di Cuffa and T Firth. Shiplake managed to get a free kick in the second half but this was unfortunately missed and the game ended 7-0.
The team displayed immense team spirit throughout the game and it made for a very enjoyable start to the weekend.
Player of the Match went to I Wood, Coach's Player of the Match went to A Timms, and Players’ Player went to G Wyndham-Smith.
Report: T Firth, Girls' Football Captain
Boys’ 1st XI vs St Edward's
A tough weekend for the 1st XI as they missed a few key players when facing a strong St Edward’s side. With four goals coming in the first twenty minutes due to a few errors, the boys nonetheless fought well to steady the ship and started to show their identity in the second half. A Player of the Match performance from J McFarlane as he came on and dominated the No.10 role.
Final score: Shiplake College 0-5 St Edward's
Coaches: Mr B Claridge and Mr A Gingell
Boys’ 2nd XI vs St Edward's
A long-awaited 2nd XI fixture did not disappoint. The starting XI dominated the game with some lovely football from the outset. Despite going a goal down, the boys showed resilience and battled to take a 2-1 lead before the opposition equalised to see the game end 2-2.
Player of the Match: M Grundy
Goals scorers: C Kerrison (2)
Coaches: Mr K Heaney and Mr E Olhausen
Boys’ 3rd XI vs St Edward's
In their first game of the season, the team took a bit of time to gel and suffered conceding 3 goals early in the match. As things started to click, the team began to play some very nice passing football and looked like a well drilled side. We were unfortunate not to score more and with some clinical finishing from the opposition, the game ended 2-6. Two goals from L O'Donoghue secured him Player of the Match.
Coach: Mr J Wheeler
Boys’ U16A vs St Edward's
The first game of the season was a real battle. The first half was on an absolute knife-edge and narrowly ended 0-1 with all still to play for, but tiredness and rustiness took a toll in the second half.
Final score: Shiplake 0-5 St Edward's
Player of the Match: W Rider
Coaches: Mr J Player and Mr J Cooper
Boys’ U16B vs St Edward's
With recent weather conditions hampering training and match time, this ultimately showed with the team chemistry and cohesiveness not quite there yet. However, there were some excellent individual contributions. Most notably from G Forsyth saving not just one, but TWO penalties. The boys kept going to the final whistle with energy, commitment, and competitive spirit in abundance. Chances in the final third were created, but lacked the quality final pass or contact to score. Lots to work on in the week ahead.
Final score: Shiplake College 0-2 St Edward's
Player of the Match: G Forsyth
Coach: Mr C Ellison
Boys' U15A vs King Edward's (Cup Quarter Final)
Final score: Shiplake College 2-7 King Edward's
Coach: Mr D Millar
Boys' U15A vs St Edward's
For the opening 20 minutes, Shiplake had the majority of possession, but St Edward's posed a constant threat on the break. This counter attacking football led to Shiplake conceding a penalty (which the opposition converted). Then disaster struck straight from kick-off when the opposition scored a second.
Shiplake rallied superbly in the second half with A Mullens firing in a bullet header from J Toker's corner. 10 minutes later, A Mullens kept his cool from the penalty spot to level the score. The comeback was then complete when C Nash-Steer fired in a testing free kick which the opposing keeper could not hold on to.
Final score: Shiplake College 3-2 St Edward's
Player of the Match: A Mullins
Coach: Mr D Miller
Boys' U15B vs St Edward's
Final score: Shiplake College 3-3 St Edward's
Coach: Mr J Burgess
Boys' U14A vs St Edward's
St Edward’s started strongly, hitting the bar from a free kick, and pressing our defence. However, two well-delivered corners were both headed home to put Shiplake 2-0 up at half time. However, the opposition got a goal back from a corner of their own but still Shiplake dominated the possession and were technically better. An excellent dribble by D Johnson-Greenwood set up a winning goal scored by J Hills. Final score was 3-1 to Shiplake.
Player of the Match: D Johnson-Greenwood
Goal Scorers: F Anderson-Williams, K O'Connor, J Hills
Coach: Mr D Bradley
Boys' U14B vs St Edward's
Final score: Shiplake College 8-4 St Edward's
Coach: Mr P Jones and Mr J Ralph
Boys’ U12As vs Oratory Prep School
In their first match of the season, Shiplake battled hard against a much more physical and older team. Despite this, their heads never dropped, and they defended as a unit throughout while also having plenty of attacking opportunities. Against a more balanced opposition, there is much to be excited for in this team.
Final score: Shiplake College 2-7 Oratory Prep School
Player of the Match: T Stewart
Goal Scorer: L Waldegrave (2)
Coach: Mr T Crisford
Boys’ U12Bs vs Oratory Prep School
In the first match of their Shiplake football career, the U12Bs came up against an established Oratory Prep School side consisting of Year 7 and 8 pupils. The boys showed great spirit and teamwork and were unlucky not to score. Stand out performances from the goalkeepers and defenders, while E Anderson in attack nearly scored a screamer from the edge of the box but alas, it hit the post!
Final score: Shiplake College 0-5 Oratory Prep School
Player of the match: E Anderson
Coach: Mr N Brown
Hockey
Boys’ 1st XI Hockey vs Pangbourne College
After a 4-3 and 2-1 loss in their first two games, the boys’ 1st XI got their first win of the season against Pangbourne College. Debuts from the McCloud brothers added some tenacity in midfield, while quality defensive play from H Arnold and D Elliot helped to keep a clean sheet. Goals from S Mealing and Z Bailey-Williams. Final score was 2-0 to Shiplake.
Coach: Mr D Bradley
Boys’ U15 Hockey vs RGS High Wycombe
The first game of the season started well with an early Shiplake goal. However, this was followed by five goals by RGS. Half time saw a few changes to the formation and tactics and within 15 minutes, we scored four goals to draw level 5-5. It was anyone's game for the taking but unfortunately, a counterattack by RGS won them the game.
Four goals from B Demery won him Man of the Match.
Coach: Mr D Bradley
Netball
Girls’ U18A vs Reading Blue Coat
Playing Reading Blue Coat this week was a match that we were all looking forward to. Shiplake wanted to give it their best shot by playing as well as they could. We started off without the first centre pass and due to the nerves, went down six goals in the first quarter.
Going into the next quarter, we kept up the momentum, however Reading Blue Coat began tiring our girls out meaning that we were again down by 5 goals. Going into the last quarter it was 19-12 to Reading Blue Coat, but Shiplake were not ready to give up the battle.
Both Shiplake and Reading Blue Coat put on the players that worked best in this match and even with the opposition’s strongest players on the court, Shiplake weren’t ready for this game to end. R Allen and A Botteril both got round their tall defenders with their impeccable footwork and A Botteril once again pulled out her unstoppable shooting skills for which she gained Player of the Match.
When R Allen unfortunately got injured, E Browne stepped up to play Wing Attack which is out of position for her this year. She came on with such drive and motivation (helping her achieve Players’ Player) and worked tremendously well with T Firth as Centre. With this dynamic play for the last quarter, Shiplake succeeded in scoring 12 goals while RBC could only score 4. M Berry helped stop RBC score more goals despite their best shooters being in play.
Both teachers stated that it was an unbelievable match to umpire and spectators agreed. Shiplake ended with a draw of 24-24, despite our slow start. As a team, we have never been prouder of ourselves for this comeback! Well done, Shiplake!
Report: S Di Cuffa, A Team Netball Captain
Coach: Mrs C Lovelock
Girls’ U18B vs Leighton Park
On Wednesday 1 February, the Girls’ Netball B team played against Leighton Park B team. The game started strong for Leighton Park as nerves were very high for Shiplake because this was their first match in over three weeks. However, that did not affect the girls' attitude, with S Goggins weaving through defenders and passing to R Pendlebury and I Wood in the attacking end.
Half-time came and Shiplake decided to switch it up, putting E Dickson in goal attack which led to her receiving Player of the Match for her play in the attacking end. P Sanderson, who was Coach’s Player of the Match, made amazing interceptions at centre which allowed for the last quarter to be dominated in the Shiplake shooting end.
Leighton Park also had stiff competition against L Stokes and H Boddy due to their amazing defensive skills. The final score was 5-21, which we believe did not reflect the game and our efforts. Players’ Player was awarded to L Stokes for her amazing marking and interceptions. Well played all.
Report: I Wood, B Team Netball Captain
Coach: Miss A Jones
Rowing
Wycliffe Head
The senior rowers made a trip to the West Country on Saturday 4 February to race two divisions at Wycliffe Head.
In the first division, the boys’ A boat was the fastest VIII of the morning coming in 56 seconds ahead of Shrewsbury School. The boys’ B crew was the second fastest VIII of the morning, coming in 8 seconds ahead of Shrewsbury's VIII.
The girls’ quad was the fastest quad of the morning finishing 18 seconds ahead of Sir William Perkin's School.
After a short lunch break, it was time for the crews to get back out on the water again for the second division. The boys’ A boat once again won the division - this time against strong competition from St Edward’s 1st VIII, beating them by 3 seconds. The B boat had a change of crew bringing in B Brooks and O Smee. The crew raced well and were the 2nd B crew of the afternoon, coming in 6 seconds behind St Edward’s 2nd VIII.
The girls faced tougher competition in the afternoon and finished 3rd overall, behind two strong crews from Wycliffe College.
A very long, but productive day of racing for all the rowers involved. Well done to all.
Coach: Mr D Currie
GB Rowing Training Day
On Sunday 5 February, F Middleton, L Byca, N Floyd, N Summerfield, H Harper, E Downing and J Weir all went to Caversham Lake to take part in a training day at the National Team’s rowing centre.
The training day was with other invited athletes from all over the country and it was an opportunity to practise in the boats that they will race in at the February long distance trials at the end of half-term. We had great conditions to train on the lake and the students all gained a lot from the experience.
Coach: Mr D Currie
Rugby 7s
On Sunday 5 February, the boys’ U16 Rugby 7s team travelled to Gordon’s School to compete in the 7s Invitational Tournament. This tournament signified the start of the Rugby 7s season for Shiplake and was always going to be a great opportunity for the team to better understand the differences between Rugby 7s and XV. The first game saw Shiplake take on a strong Sherborne side, and despite showing signs of their ability, they narrowly lost 19-12.
With areas to work on and already learning how to better manage a game of 7s, Shiplake’s next game was against Trinity School. A fast start and continual energy throughout the game saw Shiplake win 21-5 in an impressive display.
The final game of the group stage came against Framlingham College, who were a well-structured side and beat us 35-7. These results left the boys competing in the Plate which came down to either Shiplake, Mill Hill, Wellington or Eton taking home the medals.
Shiplake faced Mill Hill in the Semi-Final and, after a slow start, Shiplake began to find the form they had in the group stage. They almost completed a mighty comeback, but narrowly lost 24-22. Special mentions to H Edwards, S Bailey, F Hawkes and A Cheek who all managed to get on the scoresheet for Shiplake throughout the tournament.
The Gordon’s 7s tournament provided the boys with a fantastic opportunity to put what they had done in training into a real game scenario. Throughout the day, the boys represented Shiplake incredibly and displayed some great rugby which we will look to build on heading towards Rosslyn Park 7s. Next stop is Worth School’s 7s on Sunday 5 March.
Coach: Mr J Burgess
