The rugby season has kicked off in style! With teams taking on local rivals Reading Blue Coat, the players were prepared for some tough matches. Despite little training before now, the teams all played superbly. The 1st XV had a very close match, losing with a score of 3 to Blue Coat’s 10. Of the eight games played, four of the teams returned victorious – a very promising start!

Rugby

2nd XV 5-3 Reading Blue Coat

‘With just two minutes to go, something had to give, and so it was that after 68 minutes on the clock, Reading Blue Coat kicked a penalty to break the deadlock. 3-0. A game played almost entirely between both 10m lines was to be snatched at the death by the local rivals. They say the best teams don't lose they just run out of time. Well, time was certainly not on Shiplake's side as Will Parton's quick restart managed to earn a lineout and some valuable territory 15m from Blue Coat's line. 1 minute 45 seconds...All Blue Coat needed was to secure the ball and clear their lines. Pack leader Seb Rivett had other ideas. His tireless performance around the park and especially at the front of the lineout meant the Blue Coat hooker tried to go long. But not straight. Shiplake now had the ball deep in enemy territory and a scrum to try and make something happen. A powerful pick from the base of the scrum by George Emeny gave the home side precious yards close to the visitors' line. But the travelling team were desperate to hold out for a win. They threw themselves into tackles as work-hungry Jack Douglas and Hugh Rutledge bravely carried the ball into the yellow and blue wall of defenders. The bodies were exhausted on both sides as the game's final few moments ebbed away. That was when a member of of the defending side, desperate to get his hands on the ball, went off his feet at a ruck in front of the posts. Penalty Shiplake. An easy kick to tie the game and perhaps time for a restart. Many of those who watched from the sideline would tell you a draw was probably the fairest outcome for this game. Shiplake Captain Harry Rees doesn't really care what people on the sideline think. He came here for the win and a draw was not enough for him and his team. Harry tapped and hit up fleet-footed Freddie Davis who charged towards the try line. Trojans Will Thomsett and James Vizard cleared out the ruck and ensured there was quick ball only three metres out. A pop to the elusive Will Gresswell down the blind side almost had the home side over the whitewash. Freddie Bowcock came off his wing to ensure Will wasn't tackled into touch and tried to bundle him over the line. Both sides piled into the ruck in the corner of the pitch. Sensing the narrowness of the defence, Ollie Potter at fly half screamed for the ball. He knew hands could get Shiplake over in the other corner. Three passes later, Callum James has the ball and the tryline at his mercy. His dash to the line seemed to be in slow motion and possibly to the soundtrack from 'Chariots of Fire'. Either way, he touched down and was swarmed by all of his teammates: 5-3 Shiplake.

0 seconds

With all the rapturous celebrations, Shiplake almost forgot to take the conversion. Being right on the touchline and with the game won already, the missed kick was quickly forgiven. This was an incredible climax to what had been a scrappy affair throughout but nonetheless, it was a winning start to what promises to be an enthralling season.’

Mr David Sharkey

U16A 10-8 Reading Blue Coat

Thank you to Josh Howard for providing the following report:

‘The Under 16 A’s travelled to Reading Blue Coat School on a wet Saturday morning, for what we knew was going to a tough first fixture of the year. The conditions were not favourable for either side, with the slippery ball in attack. Shiplake started the game very strongly with an early try from Matt Davis. After a quick start from Shiplake, Reading Blue Coat replied quickly to make the scores even. After the Blue Coat try, Shiplake had to endure a long period of defence in our own 22. Shiplake showed resilience and fended of the waves of Blue Coat attack, and all Blue Coat could take from a long period of attacking was a penalty. At the end of the first half Blue Coat were ahead 8-5. With the start of the second half we knew we had what we needed to win, but it wasn’t going to be easy. Both teams had their fair share of scoring opportunities, but Shiplake’s defence looked very strong and kept Blue Coat from scoring. As the second half went on, Shiplake had the majority of attacking chances but none were rewarded with a score. With the final play of the match and penalty 5 meters out, Matty Fitzgerald drove over the line to scored and to snatch a 10-8 victory.

It was a well-deserved win for our first game of the season and James Dallas and Robbie Cartwright made notable contributions to the victory. There are many positives to take away from the game and also improvements to work on during training and to take into our next fixture against Windsor Boys.’

U16B 41-19 Reading Blue Coat

Many thanks to Mr Alex Duncan for providing the following report:

‘This match was arranged to suit both teams and act as an advanced training match and was seen as a better option than training on our own – it proved to be a great decision! Bluecoat fielded 11 committed young men and Shiplake matched their numbers having travelled in force with 18 players. The first half, played with a five-man scrum and six backs was highly entertaining and ended 7-5 to the home team, with Richard Adams scoring for Shiplake. With multiple changes, Shiplake could have unravelled but they played with real focus and flair. Josh Lloyd scored two wonderful tries, with Sam Hargreaves, Joe Kerrison, Ben Dinsdale and Josh O’Hare crossing the line in the second half. Huge credit to Bluecoat though, as for the last five minutes they went down to nine men, playing against our ten and they scored a well worked try in the corner. A final score of 41-19 to Shiplake is a great start to the season. The game was a lot closer than it sounds though and a big thank you to our hosts. Men of the match – Joe Kerrison and Sam Hargreaves - but the whole team performed very well indeed!’

U15B 0-27 Reading Blue Coat

A difficult start for Shiplake meant that at half time Blue Coat had managed to get the score to 10-o. The opposition dominated in the backs, and had some very large and fast wingers – which they used to great advantage! Despite fending them off for the majority of the second half, the Shiplake team were slipping and Blue Coat, sensing this, managed to up the score to 27-0. Man of the Match goes to Jack Underwood, for amazing tackling and runs for his positions as a full-back.

U14A 14-35 Reading Blue Coat

‘With around 40 new boys starting in Year 9 this week, little time was allowed to bring together the U14A side. With a week’s good training behind them they started well, with a sustained period of defence on the Shiplake try line, Isaac Kennedy making some telling tackles. Eventually Reading Blue Coat broke our line to score but a period of hard work and continuity served us well. Luke Theodorou broke through to off load to Archie McArthur to score under the posts. Minutes later, Captain James Burgess chipped over the Blue Coats’ backline and, gathering his kick, ran in to score the teams second try. A late try in the first half saw Blue Coats level the score to 14-14 at half time.

The second half showed periods of promise but with the wind against us Blue Coats kicked the ball deep into our half and capitalised on these opportunities with three tries, to finish the game, winning with a 35-14 score.’

Director of Sport Mr Duncan Traynor

U14B 0-50 Reading Blue Coat

‘Saturday’s fixture proved a tough one for the under 14Bs. After just one training session together, the boys started well – confidently moving the ball through the backs. However, Blue Coat soon used their physical advantage and broke through the Shiplake line. This was to be the first of quite a few points conceded, but the boys never gave up and should be proud of their efforts. Stand out performances came from Harrison Tunn, who broke the opposition’s line on several occasions, and Hugo Rex, who tackled superbly throughout.’

Mr Duncan Miller