In today's Sports Report, we catch up on the latest sports news from the week which includes basketball, football, and netball results. In basketball, our U16 boys played their first game of the season while on the netball court, our U12 and U18 girls were in action. Meanwhile, on the football pitches, we saw multiple matches for both our boys and girls with a mixture of results.
Basketball
U16s vs Little Heath School
In a ferociously fast-paced game, neither team fully took control in the first two quarters. Baskets were scored at both ends with Little Heath going into half time only 7 points ahead. Brilliant defence and rebounds from Shiplake managed to keep a very well drilled side out for a good portion of the game, however, in the third quarter, Little Heath found their rhythm and really took the game to us scoring more consistently. With the game coming to an end, Shiplake couldn't quite keep up with Little Heath’s scoring prowess and the game ended in a 57-35 defeat. Nonetheless, a really competitive game with K O'Connor scoring a noteworthy 'half court' shot.
Top Scorer: W Nicholas (14)
Player of the Match: W Nicholas
Coach: Mr Gingell
Football
Boys’ 1st XI vs Burnham Grammar School
A game of two very different styles of football saw the 1st XI lose 5-1 against Burnham Grammar School in our first league game of the season. Despite dominating possession, Shiplake struggled to penetrate the final third and trouble the opposition’s keeper. Some fantastic build up play from J Biggin and P White saw Burham concede a penalty which J Biggin cooly slotted away.
Player of the Match: J Biggin
Coach: Mr Claridge
Girls’ 1st XI vs Cranford House
On Thursday 25 January, the girls’ 1st XI football team headed to the pitch to play Cranford House. Despite a busy exam week, the girls brought the energy and effort to the pitch and applied the pressure on Cranford. The skilful opposition made it challenging for the team, but an outstanding performance from M Spooner in goal, and in defence from S Pendlebury, G Weedon, and F Smith, helped Shiplake to limit the number of goals scored. The final score was 6-0 to Cranford. Well done to all girls who played, with special mentions to M Spooner who received Player of the Match and A Flower for receiving Players’ Player. Thank you to Mr Cooper for refereeing our match and to Miss James for the constant support.
Report: F Lenthall, Senior Girls' Football Captain
Coach: Mrs Lovelock
Boys’ 2nd XI vs Burnham Grammar School
Final score: Shiplake College 3-3 Burnham Grammar School
Coach: Mr Miller
Boys’ 3rd XI vs Claremont Fan Court School
The Red Terror may have been depleted in numbers, but never in spirit! Having dominated throughout, our heroes found themselves caught on the break and 1-0 down but rallied gallantly to race to a 3-2 victory. Superb midfield battling by O Palmer-Page and N Rodgers, and a dazzling debut for techy striker J Wakefield.
Player of the Match: O Palmer-Page
Coach: Mr Player
Boys’ U15A vs The Bulmershe School
After our 2nd game of the season was called off due to a frozen pitch, it felt a while since the U15A team performed so well against Pangbourne on the opening game of the season. We travelled to Bulmershe school for a Wednesday afternoon fixture and started the game well, moving the ball effectively and with purpose. Despite us dominating possession and looking the better team, our defence were caught out by some long balls and the final result did not flatter us. Our U15A lads can be proud of their efforts and the game gives us plenty of takeaways to help build towards our next fixture.
Final score: Shiplake College 0-4 The Bulmershe School
Coaches: Mr Heaney & Mr Doyle
Boys’ U15B vs The Bulmershe School
Final score: Shiplake College 3-5The Bulmershe School
Coach: Mr Ralph
Boys’ U14s vs The Bulmershe School
The U14A and B teams headed to Bulmershe School to take part in a round robin, 5-a-side, football tournament. This was a fantastic opportunity for the boys to improve on playing in tight areas, moving the ball quickly and fast shooting. It was a really successful day and provided a lot of success for both of our teams.
Coaches: Mr Jones, Mr A Gingell, and Mr C Gingell
Boys’ U13B vs Thorpe House School
The opposition had a lot of the ball up the left flank, but S Harrison kept out several good shots. Thorpe House took advantage of their runs down the line which resulted in their first goal. We answered back quickly courtesy of a good cross in from H Woodward, which was clinically slotted in by O Thorpe who had come up from defence. With 10 minutes of the half to go, Thorpe House snuck in a second to put them 2-1 up at half-time.
With some tactical half-time changes, we came alive and were level within minutes after a blistering shot by T Lane. F Jenkins didn't let a single man past him, and M Lewis' clear direction kept a good shape at the back allowing the forwards to build. The midfield sprayed the ball out wide constantly and this gave S Harrison six chances at goal, five of which he finished with precision. He subbed off for C Craig who got a 90th minute goal to make the final score 9-3 to a well-deserved and galvanised U13B team.
Players of the Match: S Harrison & F Jenkins
Coach: Mr Gower
Boys’ U12A vs Thorpe House School
Final score: Shiplake College 1-5 Thorpe House School
Coach: Mr Crisford
Boys’ U12B vs Thorpe House School
The opening minutes of the game were a little scrappy with neither side were able to get into their stride. The breakthrough came through via a counterattack where A Humphreys fed the ball long for R Collar to calmly tuck away. T Maskell and T Morgan worked well together to keep out any threats and the fullbacks were able to push forward. D Stewart found space in the box from a throw in and his finish was clinical while A Humphreys' 2nd goal delighted the crowd with a shot that was launched from the edge of the area and sailed over the keeper. Thorpe House were more organised in the second half and Shiplake struggled to convert a couple of goal mouth scrambles. But the crowning moment came in the closing minutes when G Leach struck the ball powerfully from distance to seal the victory.
Final score: Shiplake College 5-0 Thrope House
Player of the Match: A Humphreys
Coach: Mr Curran
Netball
U18B vs The Marist School
On Wednesday 24 January, the Shiplake U18B netball team had a home game against The Marist School. Having never played The Marist School before, the girls were looking forward to some competitive gameplay. There was strong attack straight away in the first quarter and Shiplake got the first goal. Continuing on from this, Shiplake saw brilliant shooting from L Schoenmakers and E O'Neill, giving them a great advantage in the game. On the defensive side, Shiplake had L Price and G Wyndham-Smith delivering great defensive play to turn the ball around within seconds! E Morris and O Clarke made some great passes which also helped out the entire team. Shiplake finished with a win of 13-6. Player of the Match and Players’ Player went to L Schoenmakers and Coach's Player went to G Wyndham-Smith for incredible defence and persistence.
Report: D Knight, U18B Netball Team Vice-Captain
Coach: Miss James
U18C vs Leighton Park
On Wednesday 24 January, Shiplake’s U18C netball team travelled away to play Leighton Park. Although in the first quarter they were down a few points, spirits were still high, and L Nicholas and M Waller were doing a great job for the Shiplake defence. Shiplake got an amazing goal through our shooter, I Syms, with the support of our attacking players M Spooner and S Hodges. Unfortunately, the final score was 1 – 20. Players’ Player was S Woodeson and Coach’s Player went to I Syms.
Report: S Hodges, C Team Vice Captain
Coach: Mrs Rojas
U12s vs Luckley House
Our U12A and U12B teams travelled to Luckley House for their latest netball league fixture. The As had an unfortunate 15-19 loss with Player of the Match being awarded to D Crisford. The Bs however, took the win 9-7 with Players of the Match going to A English and D Carlsson.
Coaches: Mrs Neill and Mrs Dunn
