This week, there were rugby fixtures against Reading Blue Coat, Pangbourne College and Abingdon while Lower School footballers also got in on the action.
Rugby
1st XV
Shiplake 7-23
Reading Blue Coat
On Saturday 13th Reading Blue Coat travelled to play Shiplake College. After watching the Old Vikings play Pangbourne, the boys were ready
and up for a hard game. In the first half Reading Blue Coat rarely came into our
half as Shiplake were very dominant. After some very strong breaks from Fili Savou and Rory O'Conor, Fili broke the line to score our first try. In the first
half Blue Coat were unable to score a try and could only score through two converted penalties. We had many chances in the first half to score a try
but we were denied due to knock ons and penalties given away. In the second
half, Shiplake were very slow to start letting the opposition score two tries and Shiplake didn't switch on until the last 10 minuets and by then it was too late
to come back! We have learnt a lot from the game and know that we need to improve
our fitness. Even so, we will take all the positives to the next game
Tom Harman
Shiplake 62-5 Henley
College
The 1st XV responded superbly to Saturday’s
setback with a convincing win over local rivals Henley College. Relishing the
prospect to play against some of their form teammates, the maroons made a
scorching start and were soon comfortably in the lead. Ten tries and four
conversions racked up the points to give Shiplake a much needed boost in
confidence. To their credit, Henley kept going and managed a consolation try to
make the final score 62-5.
2nd XV
Shiplake 12-31
Reading Blue Coat
Shiplake 26-17
Abingdon
The 2nd XV came out fighting in their first two
games of the season. Fresh from the experience of playing with the 1st
XV squad against Windsor last week, the boys entered the matches in confident
mood. On Saturday, the well-organised opposition of Reading Blue Coat proved just too strong. However, Shiplake responded well on Wednesday and earned a victory over Abingdon with tries from Tom McCooke (2), Freddie Ireland and Tom Banks.
3rd XV
Shiplake 24-31
Abingdon
Match Report from George Atkinson:
On the September 17 the mighty
3rd XV took on a rather large side of Abingdon. We won the toss and
decide to kick first.
Harry Ibbitson did a high drop
kick into Abingdon’s 22. The pressure followed the kick forced a line out in
Shiplake’s favour at the 5 metre line. A successful lineout and back line move allowed
to Freddie Ellis to crash over the try line and give Shiplake the lead. We soon
witnessed that we were playing a very strong pack in the first scrum when we
were powered off the ball and this ended up with a try to Abingdon.
The score was 7-5 to Abingdon.
Whilst our heads were down another try quickly followed. Shiplake were feeling disheartened.
We needed a try or a strong tackle to get our heads back in to the game.
Abingdon had the ball in their 22 and they made a break through their full
back. However a massive hit by Shiplake’s full back stopped Abingdon’s momentum
which led to Shiplake dominating the rucks and making breaks as the first half
drew to a close.
We started the second half with
the same momentum and a break from Ben Arnold lead to a try in the corner. The
score was 12-14, but Abingdon’s strength allowed them to score again. Once
Shiplake scored another try, under the posts, our heads were up and slick backs
play ended with Matt Tse out pacing the winger to score another. Harry Ibbitson
converted to make the score 17-21. Shiplake momentum forced Abingdon in to
their 22 which ended up with Sam Collett crashing over the line and Ibbitson’s
conversion meant that Shiplake took the lead for the first time.
In the last 10 minutes of the
game Abingdon were playing some amazing rugby which lead to a break and a try.
Shiplake were still in it but the pressure of Abingdon lead to another break
which sealed that game.
U16A
Shiplake 12-22
Reading Blue Coat
Shiplake were unable to build upon their promising start to
the season as they fell to a first defeat against Reading Blue Coat.
U16B
Shiplake 0-47 Abingdon
The U16B travelled to Abingdon
for their first fixture of the season. The opposition were well drilled and a
large physical side. Although they battled hard up front, the Shiplake forwards
had a tough day at the office. With limited possession there were few scoring
opportunities for the side, but they defended well, tackling their hearts out
and never giving up. When we did get ball in hand our backs looked threatening
and it is clear the side has potential.
Mr Lawson
U15A
Shiplake 5-45 Reading Blue Coat
A depleted Shiplake side may have lost, but they can hold
their heads up high. After a tough first half where they conceded five tries,
many expected the maroons to crumble. However, Shiplake responded magnificently
after half time and scored a fabulous passing try. Further injuries meant
Shiplake played most of the second half with 14 men but they continued to
threaten and were unlucky not to score more. Reading took advantage of tiring
legs late on to add further gloss to the scoreline but there are plenty of
positives to take from this match.
U15B
Shiplake 0-51 Reading Blue Coat
Reading Blue Coat’s U15B team
were very good indeed. Shiplake received the first kick off, were tackled hard,
rucked off the ball and conceded the first try in less than 30 seconds. Three
more tries were added in the next 20 minutes and Shiplake were being handed a
lesson in pace, power and desire. The scores continued to come but slightly
less frequently and it must be said that Shiplake kept pushing and pushing with
admirable performances by Alfie Sheppard and Sunny Pong. Unfortunately, we
could not get near their line and the game ended 51-0.
Mr Duncan
Shiplake 5-45 Abingdon
With the visit of Abingdon, it
can be confirmed that the Shiplake U15B are below average height for rugby
teams at this age group. It is very tiring tackling bigger, faster boys. But
tackle they did and after 15 minutes the score was 0-0 and Shiplake felt
confident. Handling improved and running and tackling were fierce. However, after
25 minutes Abingdon scored, and added two more tries straight after half-time.
Suddenly, from being in the game, Shiplake found themselves 19-0 down after 35
minutes. Abingdon continued to score at regular intervals and got to 45
unanswered points. In the last minute, with penalties being awarded for numerous
offsides from Abingdon, the opposition panicked. A second row tried a kick, it
went sideways and bounced into birthday boy Sam Neil’s arms. He surely knocked
on but the referee was unsighted by three 6 foot 2 Abingdon players and awarded
a try. Wild scenes from the touchline and the boys walked off happy.
Mr Duncan
U15C
Shiplake 21-19
Pangbourne College
‘Twas Autumn and the
15cs
Did swerve and
tackle on the green,
All fearful were the
Pangbourne coves
Amid the Thames side
rural scene.
Beware the 15
chargers my son,
The deadly tackles,
the speedy backs,
The endless 14 Ds as
rolling subs,
And the shimmying
Cronin Jack
The Pangbourne team
woke up at last,
And countered them
on every flank,
Parents roared and
long guffawed,
At strange impressions
of a tank.
Yet Hillman stood in
uffish thought,
And knew that time
was nearly gone,
One last kick
of the ball to touch,
And this thriller
would be won.
And hast thou won
the game my team?
Cheer wildly, O
Chargers brave,
Yet we must not
forget,
They live to fight
another day.
Mr Alcock
Shiplake 0-50 Abingdon
After a dramatic close fought victory at the weekend, the
U15Cs struggled to replicate the energy shown and suffered a heavy defeat.
Still, one out of two for the week is not bad!
U14A
Shiplake 0-57 Reading Blue
Coat
Unfortunately, after a very
positive game against Windsor Boys it was back to earth with a bump for the
U14A XV. Reading Blue Coat started the game with ruthless physicality, scoring
two early tries before we were able to compose ourselves. Various disruptions
must not be used as an excuse, but this start provided a valuable lesson in the
individual and team preparation that is essential in order to be able to
perform at this level. Playing the game constantly on the back foot meant that
the team were unable to get the width or the opportunity to offload that had so
well suited them earlier in the week. Despite this, the boys never gave up and
will have benefitted enormously from the harsh lessons that getting beaten by
50 points can provide. Our next fixture against Cokethorpe will be a true test
of character but I have every confidence that the team will be up for the
challenge.
Mr Gaunt
U14B
Shiplake 42-0 Reading Blue Coat
The second game of the season saw the U14 Bs take on local
rivals Reading Blue Coat, away from home. A very physical game was played out
and Shiplake dominated from start to finish. Aggressive rucking and work by the
forwards gave the backs a platform to work upon and tries came quickly. Tries
from Matt Davies, James Gibbs and Morgan Taylor gave Shiplake a huge lead at
half time. Dom Hance’s kicking from both hand and tee was very impressive and
Shiplake were able to close the game out early. In the second half Mr Muhley
was able to experiment with players in different positions and gained vital
knowledge about the team. In a more subdued second half Shiplake ran over two
more tries from Sam Ellis and Ben Dinsdale. All in all a great day at the
office!
Shiplake 19-17 Abingdon
The U14B’s 3rd game of the season saw them travel to
Abingdon School. Coaches and players both knew that this would be a much more
difficult test than the previous opponents. In a very cagey first half,
Shiplake were able to break the Abingdon lines with a lovely move from Jack
Rees and Ben Dinsdale with Dinsdale running under the posts to score. Morgan
Taylor kicked the resulting conversion and Shiplake had started well. However,
immediately Abingdon bounced back and scored from the kick off, after some
lapse defending from the Bs. Despite this, Shiplake picked their heads up and
Zac Green ran over another try in the first half. Morgan Taylor again scored
the conversion and Shiplake were back in front 14-7. Just before half time
Abingdon put together a lovely move and were able to score again in the corner.
Their kicker was not on top form like Morgan and Shiplake entered the break
with a 14-12 lead.
The second half was on a knife edge for a whole 20 minutes.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game however sloppy handling and
resilient defending prevented both teams from scoring. In the last minute of
the match Shiplake were under pressure and Abingdon scored. Despite the huge
disappointment of conceding so late, Shiplake heads were still up. The forwards
now had the bit between their teeth and powered forward off the restart.
Shiplake regained possession from a scrum and Mua’az Mizan burst through the
Abingdon defence to win the game in the dying seconds.
Mr Miller said: “This was a huge victory for the lads, I’m
very impressed with our team’s ability to keep their heads up. Both coaches and
players alike were delighted with the victory and we look forward to our next
game.”
U14C
Shiplake 36-5 Reading Blue Coat
In the first match of the
season, the U14C team pitched up at Reading with many players new to one
another and in new positions. After some initial resistance, the boys managed
to carve up the hosts’ defence, with Lucas Brooks making numerous strong breaks
and finishing with 4 tries on the day and the Man of the Match award. Strong
running by Joe Kerrison and excellent tackling by Fin Gross and Oliver Heap
meant that there was no way back for Blue Coat, even when they brought on a few
B team players for a late consolation try in the second half. An excellent
performance by the whole squad lead to some very good rugby for the spectators
and a selection head-ache for the next match for coach Mr Reynolds.
Shiplake 12-21 Abingdon
After an unexpectedly long
journey, the U14C team arrived to play an Abingdon squad featuring plenty of
talent and size. A sluggish start from Shiplake lead to the hosts rapidly using
the space on the field to run in two tries under the posts, but the boys
rallied after an excellent solo try from captain Lucas Brooks. A physical first
half took its toll on the squad but another well worked team try and improved
support play saw Shiplake close the gap. Abingdon hit back before half time,
putting the Cs down at the break. The second half saw a rejuvenated team,
helped by substitutions and an inspired Fergus Moore. With improved rucking,
inspirational leadership from vice-captain Oliver Heap and strong running from
Tom Howlett, the boys hammered away at their hosts for almost the entire
half inside their 22, but sadly couldn’t find a way through for a try. A great
performance and tremendous resolve shown by the whole squad, especially in the
face of early pressure. Man of the Match: Oliver Heap.
Mr Reynolds
Football
The Lower School football season got underway with fixtures
for the B and C teams against Aldenham School. The B team played some excellent
stuff, clinically putting away their chances to earn a 6-2 victory. Harvey
Greenaway scored a hat trick, Jack Powell grabbed a brace and Sean Farrell
completed the scoring. The Cs found the going slightly tougher and suffered a
4-0 defeat, but it was good to see so many new pupils proudly representing
Shiplake for the first time.