In this week's bumper-packed Sports Report, we catch up on the latest round of hockey and rugby matches, both at a junior and senior level. This includes our U18 girls' huge Hockey Night Lights fixture against St Joseph's College, our 1st XV's cup match against The Oratory School, and more!
Hockey
Girls’ U18A vs St Joseph’s College (Hockey Night Lights)
The big match of the season for the Shiplake girls' hockey A team was on Friday 10 November where Shiplake played St Joseph’s College in the annual Hockey Night Lights event.
The atmosphere was incredible from the very start of the match and all the way through. We had all our Year 7 girls cheer both teams onto the pitch, setting an amazing spirit from the start of the match. Mr Brown and many Shiplake Old Vikings came down to support the game and this added to the immense atmosphere.
In the first half of the match, we had some incredible defence by S Pendlebury and some amazing goal keeping by R Acton but going into the second half, the score was 2-0 to St Joseph's College. Shiplake held their head high and with the phenomenal attacking from E Dickson, G Weedon, E Bell, G Weedon, L Cheek and A Botterill, we managed to get two short corners which were both converted by O Parkin, making the score 2-2.
The game became even more competitive, and tensions were high going into the final few minutes of the match. The final whistle blew just as Shiplake got a short corner in our attacking end. The Shiplake girls fought until the final whistle and the final score was 3-2 to St Joseph’s.
Special congratulations to S Pendlebury for Player of the Match and to O Parkin for Year 7 Player of the Match.
Thank you to all of Gilson and everyone else who came to watch and support the match and to Mrs Neill and Ms Davies for all their help with Year 7 and Gilson. Thank you also to our coaches Mrs Lovelock, Miss James and Mr Bradley.
Report: O Parkin, Hockey A Team Captain
Coaches: Mrs Lovelock, Miss James and Mr Bradley
Girls’ U18A vs Leighton Park
On Wednesday 8 November, Shiplake took on Leighton Park for our fifth league match of the season. The girls went into the game knowing it would be tough however, in the first half of the match, the girls had some amazing play, especially in defence. S Pendlebury was awesome in defence and worked really well with F Lenthall, O Clarke and G Wyndham-Smith. The girls played hard and ended the first half at 0-0. Going into the second half, Shiplake were tired, but the positivity was high and everyone was still excited to play. However, Leighton Park came back strong into the second half and scored three goals, making the final score 3-0. Congratulations to R Acton for receiving Player of the Match and to F Lenthall for Players' Player.
Report: O Parkin, A Team Hockey Captain
Coach: Mrs Lovelock
Girls’ U18B vs Pangbourne College
On Wednesday 8 November, the Shiplake U18B girls played a friendly match against Pangbourne College. The girls went into the game with high spirits and a cheerful attitude. The game began with a Shiplake pushback from E Flower leading to possession of the ball with passes from T Gillard and B Sauboua. Despite the strong defence from M Waller, Pangbourne scored the first goal. The first half ended with the scoreline 2-0 to Pangbourne.
The girls kept a positive mindset going into the second half and continued to play with their heads held high. The amazing defence continued from M Waller as sweeper and L Bradley in goal and with E O’Neill's debut match, they continued to make strong interceptions getting the ball back into the Shiplake half. After persistent play from F Short, Shiplake scored their first goal through S Hodges. The match ended with Pangbourne scoring another goal leaving the final score 3-1. Well done to T Gillard and L Bradley for receiving Players of the Match and to F Short for Players’ Player as well as Coach's Player.
Report: E Flower, B Team Hockey Captain
Coach: Miss James
Girls' U12 vs Sherfield School
On Wednesday 8 November, both the A and B U12 hockey teams played away at Basingstoke Hockey Club against Sherfield School. Shiplake were very fortunate to have 2 full teams who played excellently throughout their matches.
The A team were 1-0 down in the first 15 minutes but then goals from T Lawrence, D Crisford and a hat-trick from A De Felice saw them win 5-1 with Player of the Match being awarded to T Lawrence.
Sherfield chose to field 7 outfield players and omit a goalie in the B team clash. Shiplake were dominant from the outset with goals coming thick and fast seeing them win 14 - 0, including a hat-trick from M Green.
Coach: Mrs Neill
Rugby
1st XV vs The Oratory (National Vase)
The 1st XV travelled to The Oratory in search of redemption following their first visit earlier in the year. The game started in similar fashion to the first encounter, with both teams fronting up physically and coming up against solid defences. Eventually, The Oratory broke through and got the first 7 points on the board. More Shiplake pressure led to a dominant first half display, but with missed opportunities and W Rider getting held up on the line dubiously just before the half time whistle, it felt like the game was there for the taking.
The second half was more of the same with relentless pressure from our 1st XV. A lovely cross-field kick from W Diver saw H Simmons dot down for a score. However, three or four errors meant missed opportunities led to more Oratory tries and eventually, Oratory came out on top as 21-5 winners.
Coach: Mr Edwards
1st XV vs St Benedict's
The 1st XV were carrying a few knocks from their midweek battle in the cup and a few disruptions in the morning meant the team was a little unsettled when they arrived in Ealing. A quick warm up, a minute's silence to pay our respects, and before they knew it, they found themselves 7-0 up against the run of play and firmly in the driver's seat against a shocked St Benedict’s side.
A back and for tussle ensued and due to a dip in concentration and rhythm, St Benedict’s took control of the first half and Shiplake found themselves on the wrong end of a 19-5 scoreboard. The second half started in the same vein with Shiplake making basic errors and St Benedict’s scoring from the kick off. This, however, was the catalyst for some of the best rugby the 1st XV has played all year. They tore the St Benedict’s defence apart and came storming back to leave the game on a knife edge.
Shiplake came away losers in the end with the scoreline 32-28, but with a try disallowed in the corner late in the second half, the game was theirs for the taking.
Player of the Match: W Rider
Coach: Mr Edwards
2nd XV vs St Benedict's
A well drilled and athletic St Benedict’s 2nd XV made Shiplake pay for some less than stelar defending and disorganised attack. There were a few moments of magic which saw the 2nd XV close the gap and show what they are capable of, but a lack of consistency against an organised opposition ultimately sealed the 2nd XVs fate and they came away with a tough loss.
Coaches: Mr Wheeler & Mr Wozencroft
U16A vs St Benedict's
The U16s faced St Benedict's on what was a glorious Saturday morning at Shiplake. St Benedict's started strongly, played some excellent rugby, and scored early on. They managed to set the tone for the rest of the game, and it was a difficult morning for our U16s who nevertheless showed great resilience and courage.
Final score: Shiplake College 5-30 St Benedict’s
Coaches: Mr Heaney & Mr Lawson
U15A vs St Benedict's
The score shows a convincing 40–14 win for Shiplake, but they did not have it all their own way and post half-term rustiness meant that they had to improve their defensive awareness and connectivity. K O’Connor scored another four tries, with one for W Nicholas and for H Terrington. Five tries were converted by W Huckle, and fine performances were also had by J Henshall, M Crane, E Fulton, E Miot and J Morgan.
Coaches: Mr Dix & Mr Cooper
U15B vs St Benedict's
Another excellent contest and a fine display from the 15Bs. The rucking was ferocious from both sides, and Shiplake took a while to adapt to the demands of the referee. However, we soon started to get on top in the forwards through excellent work by J Waldegrave, O Clark and O Wright. The backs also started to take control through the contributions of L Hilton, F Holgate and Z Wood. Another game that could have gone either way but, thanks to a terrific try saving tackle by H Taphouse, Shiplake managed to hold on for a well-deserved 12-10 win.
Coach: Mr Jones
U14A vs St Benedict's
On a sunny New Field, Shiplake looked a little sleepy coming out of half-term break. St Benedict's kept possession in the opening minutes and played wide in numbers to clock up the opening points. Shiplake rallied and started to apply pressure, before O Spearing took the ball blindside to get the try just inside the corner flag. In the second half, the forwards were impressive in the scrums and lineouts, and were able to get the ball wide to S Cripps who powered through the tough defence to make the score 12-17. Shiplake made plenty of ground, but struggled to convert chances and were punished with another 2 tries against them. Shiplake did not give up and when E Tavinor scored between the posts, there was still hope of maintaining their unbeaten run. However, St Benedict's were able to raise their game again with robust tackling, quality ball control and demonstrated the value of using the width of the pitch to find large gaps in Shiplake’s rather narrow defence.
Final score: Shiplake: 19-45 St Benedict's
Coaches: Mr Bradley & Mr Gower
U14B vs St Benedict's
The 14Bs came up against a very well-organised St Benedict’s side, who used the full width of the pitch. In a terrific contest, the tackling was very effective throughout. Shiplake had the upper hand up front with superb carries from T Sharp, S Lee and S Currie. The game could have gone either way and in the final minutes with Shiplake hammering at the St Benedict’s line but with no success. St Benedict’s clung on to win 15-12.
Coach: Mr Jones
U13A vs Eagle House
The team started the game very well, going two scores up in the first 10 minutes. It was very pleasing to see the work from training being put into practice in the match, and the tries coming from selfless play and effective support lines. At half time, scores were level, at 3 tries each, and the focus of the Shiplake team talk was on more effective tackling and being quicker to get to the breakdowns to secure the ball. The second half was back and forth, with both teams scoring one after the other. After levelling the score at 6-6, Shiplake kicked the restart with just a minute on the clock, eager to regain possession and go for the win. Unfortunately, the ball found Eagle House's danger runner, and he was able to break through our defensive lines and score his fourth try, as time ran out. Final score was 7-6 in favour of Eagle House.
A particular mention this week goes to O Owens - our most improved player - who made big steps forward in terms of things we had been working on in training. Also, to B Keown, who made a phenomenally brave tackle in an attempt to save a try and had an incredibly good game overall. Lots of other pleasing performances with notable mentions for F Jenkins, O Houldsworth, G Huckle, O Thorpe and H Woodward.
Coach: Mr Armstrong
U12A vs Eagle House
A cracking match against Eagle House with Shiplake dominating the first half and showing all the attacking play. A well worked try from T Maskell looked like it could be the difference but against the run of play, Eagle House scored to make it 1-1 at the break. Eagle House came out firing in the second half and scored a few unanswered tries showing their physicality with some large and powerful runners. However, Shiplake never stopped working and although we need to work on our accuracy, it was a strong performance. The final scoreline of a 6-2 loss did not reflect the evenness of the two teams with the other Shiplake try being scored by T Morgan.
Coach: Mr T Crisford
U12B vs Eagle House
A lightning-fast start saw Shiplake race into a three try to zero lead, with O Laventure and A Gern-Gross leading the charge. However, Eagle House grew in confidence and got the ball regularly to their strong runners. Suspect tackling allowed the opposition a way back, and the match became evenly poised. Thankfully, a couple of breakaway tries allowed us to go in at half-time 5-3 up. The team talk was simple: let's improve our tackling, and let's support our runners. Both objectives were achieved. F Greenway, W Arden and J Hunt joined the attacking, and this, coupled with plenty of tenacious tackling, led to a comfortable 11-5 victory.
Coach: Mr Ralph
