This week's Sports Report features all of the sports news from before half-term, including football, netball, and basketball fixtures. We also catch up with our rowers, where our senior pupils competed at the Great Britain Rowing Long Distance trials during the half-term.
Basketball
Boys' U18 vs The Oratory
On Tuesday 7 February, our boys hosted The Oratory in the reverse fixture after narrowly losing first time out. Shiplake started strongly and continued in that vein until the final whistle with fast, sharp play in attack; and brilliant defensive structure to prevent The Oratory from posing much of a threat at our hoop.
C Carey had the highlight of the game when he attempted a slam dunk to round off the scoring, unfortunately narrowly missing. A Mullins was the Defender of the Match and E Sheng was Player of the Match.
A big well done to the team made up of E Sheng, R Wang, A Mullins, A Mi, J Satterly, C Moss, V Clifford, M Redding, C Zhou, J Rodgers and C Carey. Final score was 45-24 to Shiplake.
Coaches: Dr C Rousseau & Mr A Gingell
Football
Girls’ 1st XI vs Headington
On Thursday 9 February, Shiplake's girls’ 1st XI played their second cup match against Headington School on New Field. The game started strongly, with our great defence being led by L Schoenmakers, which eventually led her to receiving Player of the Match as throughout the game, she kept the ball away from the goal.
Headington had some very skilful players and managed to get two goals in the first half. However, they were prevented from getting more by E Morris in defence and goalkeeper, R Allen. Going into the second half, the Shiplake girls kept their heads high and continued to play a strong match. Our midfield and strikers got the ball from the opposition and C Wapshare and S Di Cuffa managed to run it down the left side of the pitch, before crossing the ball to the edge of the box, which allowed F Lenthall to score Shiplake's first goal of the match.
As the second half continued, Headington went on the attack and managed to score two more goals making the final score 4-1. However, the Shiplake girls played a great game and came away from the match smiling having enjoyed it. It was a fantastic match, with great energy and spirit all round.
Player of the Match went to L Schoenmakers and Players’ Players were awarded to E Morris and F Lenthall.
Report: T Firth, Girls’ Football Captain
Coach: Mrs C Lovelock
Boys’ U13A vs AFC Caversham
Final score: Shiplake College 1-5 AFC Caversham
Coach: Mr A Dix
Boys' U12A vs Claire's Court
Final score: Shiplake College 0-5 Claire's Court
Coach: Mr T Crisford
Boys' U12B vs Claire's Court
Final Score: Shiplake College 1-7 Claire's Court
Coach: Mr N Brown
Netball
Girls’ U18A vs Ranelagh School
On Wednesday 8 February, Shiplake played Ranelagh School in their league match. Unfortunately, Shiplake started slowly and Ranelagh took advantage and finished the first quarter with a good lead in their goals. After a team talk at the break, Shiplake returned to the court with motivation and began to close the gap on the scoreboard.
Shiplake improved with every quarter, upping their score through A Botterill’s unstoppable shooting which gave the opposition no choice but to award her Player of the Match! As the game progressed, E Browne stepped up and began playing with more aggression and perseverance which led to her being awarded Players' Player.
Shiplake had a brilliant second half of the match and the score ended 39-18 to Ranelagh. Everyone should be really proud of their performance on court and they look forward to the rest of the league matches after the half term break.
Report: S Di Cuffa, A Team Netball Captain
Coach: Mrs C Lovelock
Girls’ U18B vs Reading Blue Coat School
On Wednesday 8 February, Shiplake played against Reading Blue Coat. Although Shiplake had progressed from their last match, it was a tough match and the final score was 15-5. The score was close in the first quarter with it being a 5-3 lead to Reading Blue Coat, however, they unfortunately maintained this lead as the match went on. Shiplake played well as a team, with S Reid scoring an amazing goal from the middle of the ‘D’. Reading Blue Coat had strong attackers but the Shiplake defence managed to stop them scoring many points. Players’ Player was awarded to P Sanderson, Coach's Player to L Cheek, and Player of the Match to H Parsons. Well played all.
Report: R Pendlebury, Stand-In B Team Netball Captain
Coach: Miss A Jones
Girls’ U18C vs Leighton Park
On Wednesday 8 February, the C team played against Leighton Park, and although the team was full of nerves without our captain, A Baiden, she was still there to help our coach at our first away game of the season. J Pallett stepped up to be captain for the day.
We ended strongly in the first quarter at 1-2 to Leighton Park, with E Flower making strong passes from centre and moving the ball down the court quickly and effectively. We held a good defence throughout the game with R Acton making it difficult for Leighton Park to gain possession of the ball. Her many excellent interceptions led to her being awarded Player of the Match and Players' Player.
However, throughout the second half of the game, we all started to lose energy and Leighton Park started to make their way through our defence more often. We managed to get another two goals by the end of the match, both scored by J Pallett, which made the final score 3-18
Report: J Pallett, Stand-In C Team Netball Captain
Coach: Mrs K Neill
Rowing
Over the weekend (18-19 February), a group of our senior rowers competed at the Great Britain Rowing Long Distance trials, held in Boston, Lincolnshire.
J Weir finished 4th overall in her singles on Saturday and then won the double sculls trial held on Sunday. Meanwhile, E Downing finished 22nd in her singles on Saturday and then placed 8th in her doubles on Sunday.
The boys raced a series of three races over the weekend with different partners from different schools, before being given an overall ranking following their races.
F Middleton finished 1st on strokeside, after coming 1st, 2nd, and 1st in his three races. N Floyd finished 5th on bowside, L Byca finished 6th on strokeside, F Worthington finished 12th on bowside, N Summerfield finished 21st on strokeside, and H Harper finished 23rd on bowside.
Well done to all who raced! These fantastic results mark a very positive step towards selection for Great Britain in the summer.
