In today's Sports Report, we catch up on all things sport from the final week of the half-term, as well as sporting events that took place over the holiday. This includes the boys' Year 9 and 10 football trip to Wales, block football fixtures for the majority of our teams, junior and netball girls' netball, and rowing at the Hammersmith Head.
Football
Year 9 and 10 Cardiff Trip
We had 17 Year 9 boys and 15 Year 10 boys that travelled to Cardiff as part of our mid-season football tour. The trip started with a coaching session led by some Cardiff City FC coaches (including Cardiff City Women FC players), which consisted of 2 x 90-minute sessions at Cardiff City’s House of Sport. The boys then also got to play against the prestigious Whitchurch High School and the Cathedral School, which provided the boys with a tough challenge and plenty of opportunity to build as a team.
The highlight for most boys though was getting to watch the Cardiff Devils play against Manchester Storm in an ice hockey fixture. Alongside, this we also partook in a stadium tour of the Principality and Cardiff City FC football stadium, which proved a particular highlight for Mr Paul Jones. The boys then also got to experience a bit of Cardiff itself and were delighted we got to spend Valentine's evening bowling.
Overall, it was evident how the boys became a lot closer over the trip year 9 and 10's, which puts them all in a strong position for the upcoming football fixtures. It was also great to see the collectiveness of the two teams giving that it was a mix of players with all abilities.
I would just like to end by saying a massive thank you to Mr Jones, Mr Crisford and Mr Bradley who also came on the trip and were the main reason it was able to run so smoothly.
Coach: Mr Canning
Boys’ 1st XI vs LVS Ascot
The game started very scrappy with both teams really struggling to keep hold of the ball for more than 30 seconds. However, after a loose clearance from the opposition, it allowed D Staples to play a defence splitting pass to J Laing-Buck who clinically finished to make it 1-0 Shiplake. This brought Shiplake a large amount of confidence and we started playing some really intelligent football, switching the ball from right to left. This led to a Shiplake corner and a brilliant header from L Spence to make it 2-0 at half time. Shiplake started off well and soon went into a 3-0 lead with a phenomenal finish from C Kirkwood. That led to a flurry of chances which unfortunately Shiplake couldn't take to finish off the game. This brought LVS renewed confidence, and they found a way back into it after a scramble from a set piece. Shiplake seemed to lose a lot of confidence and took some heavy LVS pressure in the final minutes. However, after some terrific saves from Player of the Match J Lucking, Shiplake held on for a deserved 3-1 win.
Boys’ 2nd XI vs Claires Court
The 2nd XI felt deflated after a hard earned 0-0 draw against Claires Court but should be proud of reaching the seasons halfway mark and remaining unbeaten. The game was tough, and playing on a big 4G pitch demanded a lot of running off the ball. Defensively, we were strong and managed to keep the opposition out, but unfortunately, we were missing real attacking threat today. Very few chances from both sides, with most of the game played in midfield, but a shoutout to H Arnold who made a great stop when called upon after being left 1 on 1 with the opposition striker. Player of the Match went to W Rider.
Boys’ 3rd XI vs Salesian College
Our heroes were 2-0 down at half time but rallied magnificently, cheered on by a lively home crowd. Goals for J Hinton and W Jennings in a knife edge game where both sides hit the bar. Player of the Match went to S Massie who won everything at the back!
Boys' 4th XI vs Salesian College
Once again, Shiplake started brightly but were up against a side that have been hotly tipped to do well this season. Most of the first half was the usual back and forth but two well taken opposition goals meant that Shiplake finished the half 2-0 down. After a few tactical changes, S Loggie moved up front, and the switch proved fruitful when he turned in a fabulous JJ Satterly free kick to reduce arrears. Shiplake pressed on, but the opposition eventually proved too strong, scoring their third soon after and two very late goals to make it a scoreline that did not truly reflect the evenness of the game. Highlights were the referee commenting on the spirit that Shiplake showed throughout and K Marsh’s heroic goalkeeping, as the score would have been very different if he were not between the sticks.
Boys' U15B vs Maiden Erlegh
The U15B team played their best football this season with an excellent display of teamwork and sportsmanship. We had the most possession and our attack was very strong and such a close game allowed us to fully appreciate where we can develop and how we can press forward in the season. A great game overall.
Boys’ U14A vs Maiden Erlegh
The U14As couldn’t make it three in a row against a quality Maiden Erleigh side. A balanced first half with few chances at either end. Both defences dominated the game and potential openings were covered or tackled out. A score line at half time of 0-0 was a fair reflection. The second half started in much the same fashion with again no killer moment until a sloppy defensive lapse led to a Maiden Erlegh tap in. And then straight from the restart, we gifted possession in midfield which led to a second. Shiplake battled hard creating a flurry of corners but with no end product to make the Maiden Erlegh keeper work. The scoreline finished 0-2 with B Keown the standout Player of the Match at leftback for superb cover tackling, distribution and over lapping runs.
Boys’ U14B vs Maiden Erlegh
The game proved to be one full of goals and individual brilliance which summed up some brilliant Shiplake character. The game started very slowly, but soon Shiplake were able to get some passes together before T Siveter to make it 1-0. Maiden Erlegh quickly responded but the boys' heads did not drop, and it soon became 2-1 Shiplake after a scramble in the box was well finished by E Hills. Maiden Erlegh made a quick start to the second half, equalising within minutes but this seemed to inspire Shiplake who took total control of the game from this point forwards. With a brilliant solo goal scored by J Prosser, T Siveter was able to grab his second of the game, and before the final whistle, M Horseman scored a fantastic volley to make Shiplake 6-2 winners.
Boys’ U13A vs Thorpe House
The U13As lost 7-1 to an incredible Thorpe House side who had two QPR academy players. Being 6-0 down at half time, a huge performance was needed in the second half by the Shiplake boys. T Jackson made some outstanding saves and C Goss put in a huge defence performance to help us keep the second half to 1-1; a huge improvement. L Moss put away a superb penalty which gave a real boost to the side. We can compete with some quality opposition; we just need to perform like we did in the second half but for the whole match!
Boys’ U13B vs Thorpe House
After a couple of challenging games, Gower’s U13Bs were buzzing again. There were a few shots from range initially but better passing and movement around the box saw some magic link ups between J Hunt and G Leach. The latter bagged a brace and the former with his first of the season. Thorpe House pushed forward in second half but the back four were strong – O Laventure in particular who gained legendary status when he saved a penalty. Man of the Match O Wray was clinical on the counterattack, while two well-struck goals from E English and D Stewart finished the match and the term in style. All refereed by a very professional S Crisford and his merry linesmen.
Netball
In the final round of fixtures before the half-term break, we had many netball games played with both our senior and junior teams in action. Results were:
- Shiplake 2nd VII 25-30 The Marist School
- Shiplake 3rd VII 18-3 Reddam House School
- Shiplake 4th VII 11-16 Leighton Park School
- Shiplake U13A 11-14 Reddam House School
- Shiplake U13B 11-1 Reddam House School
- Shiplake U13C 8-10 Reddam House School
Rowing: Hammersmith Head
On Sunday 23 February, our rowers were in action at the Hammersmith Head in London. A 2.75 course, we saw some fantastic results as our crews ramp up their efforts ahead of Schools’ Head of the River!
- 1st in W Jun 8+
- 3rd in Op 8+ Ch
- 3rd in Op Jun 8+ Int
- 3rd in Op J16 8+
Thank you to Mr Tim Price who shared with us photos of our winning W Jun 8+ crew!
