The Autumn Term is coming to a close and some of the teams played their final match of the season this week, but the players kept all thoughts of mince pies and Christmas festivities at bay until the final whistle. The girls' debut hockey season ended on a high, the U13As performed well at the Cokethorpe rugby festival, despite some losses there were 'tries of the season' and amongst the week's wins, there included an emphatic win against Leighton Park for the U16Bs.
Rugby
1sts 38-10 Churcher's College
Thank you to Captain Finn Arbuckle for the following report:
'The team started off well, despite some players out of position due to injury. Shiplake got on the score sheet first with a try from Lucas Smyth following a well-executed backline move. Soon after Joachim Ridley-Barker made a break from the Shiplake 22 and offloaded to Smyth for his second try of the game. Both were expertly converted by kicker Joe Booth. Within 14 minutes Shiplake were 19-0 up and by half-time the score was 24-3, with a try from Louis Ashcroft. There was a reshuffle at half time as substitutes were brought on and there was a little settling down required. Ridley-Barker scored a try from a driving maul, after which Churcher's did score a consolation try. Shiplake continued to play good rugby and Smyth ended the game with a celebration hat-trick, leaving the full-time whistle at 38-10.'
U16As 33-18 Churcher's College
A lovely photo of the U16A players and their supportive parents following their final game of the season, in which they won 33-18.
U15As 5-26 Churcher's College
Dr Gareth Hughes reported that 'An overcast and wet Petersfield greeted the U15As in their final match of the season. After a narrow win over Reed’s the previous week, spirits were high, but unfortunately the boys fell foul of slippery conditions and a tactical kicking game from Churcher’s in the first half, going in 12-0 down. The second half started more brightly, with some good kicking by Callum Creighton, quicker ball for Cameron Jones, and resilient tackling by the front 5. A flowing move down the left hand flank led to Archie Buchanan crashing over the line for an excellent try. Sadly, the momentum shifted once again and Churcher’s scored a couple of opportunistic tries in the last quarter to bring the final score to 26-5.'
U15Bs 0-54 Churcher's College
Coach Mr James Arney reports that 'The boys played well in the first half, but in the second half superior opposition ran away with the score line. Despite a courageous performance, Churcher’s proved to be too strong. It was no surprise that they have won all their other games this season. Good kicking performances from Sam Rogers and some excellent running from Dom Deakin.'
U14As 17-53 Churcher's College
Thank you to Captain James Burgess for the following report, which includes an excellent account of their best try of the season:
'Heading into Shiplake’s final game of the season against Churcher's, a good performance and a win was what they wanted. But for the first 15 minutes Churcher's were dominant, scoring the first try of the game almost straight from kick-off. Shiplake then woke up and scored a good try from Theo Fewtrell just before the break, which gave Shiplake a boost in confidence.
After half-time Shiplake came out with a lot of energy. After conceding a couple more, Shiplake found themselves in the Churcher's 22. Shiplake got the ball out to James Burgess who made a break and then chipped the Churcher's fullback to get Shiplake’s second try of the game. Shortly after, Shiplake scored their best try of the season without a doubt. Churcher's were attacking in Shiplake’s 22 before the ball got turned over and Angus Wood got them out of trouble by making a break through the middle of the pitch. He offloaded to Archie McArthur, who found Theo Fewtrell to make a perfectly timed pass to James Burgess, who finished off a full length of the pitch team try. The score finished 48-17. Special mention to Archie McArthur who was awarded man of the match.'
U13As at Cokethorpe Festival
The boys did brilliantly to win their group at the U13s Festival at Cokethorpe, only to lose 10-0 in the semi-final against Crypt School, Gloucester. Mr Jonnie Howorth provides the following account:
'For the first match of the group vs St Edwards, Cheltenham. Shiplake defended brilliantly and scored two break away tries through Jai Angell. Next up was Henry Box School, with Shiplake winning five tries to nil, with Anthony Adamson (2), Milo Connolly, Archie Arnold and Alex Rowe crossing the line for Shiplake.
This set up a match with hosts Cokethorpe, to see who topped the group. Shiplake defended brilliantly, keeping Cokethorpe at bay for five minutes. We then scored through Archie Arnold to take the lead. Cokethorpe finally made their pressure tell with two minutes to go to level the scores at 5 all. However with the last play of the game Jai Angell out-paced the opposition defence to score under the posts and seal the win for Shiplake.
Having topped the group, Shiplake then took on The Crypt School from Gloucester in the Cup Semi-Final. After a physical encounter The Crypt wore Shiplake down with their direct running and ran in two late scores to win 10-0. Despite not making the final, Shiplake can be proud of the way they played, certainly the finest performances of the season.'
U16B 64-0 Leighton Park
Please see the gallery below for a selection of photos from the U16s emphatic win against Leighton Park.
U12As 5-15 Claremont Fan Court School
Thank you to Mr Tom Crisford provided the following report:
'After a long journey and a very quick warm up, the team started really well and dominated the territory for the opening 10 minutes of the game. During this there was some excellent work, particularly in the backs and their hard work was rewarded with a try but a number of further opportunities were wasted that ultimately were very costly. Claremont really responded to this and through some strong and direct running at the half time break the score was 1 try each. In the second half it was anyone’s game but a couple of decisions went against us and Claremont clinically finished the match with 2 further tries to make the final score 5-15. At the end of the game Charlie Moss summarised the team's efforts extremely well, focussing on the positives that the team showed when the situation was difficult, and I was yet again impressed by the efforts of the team.'
U12Bs 0-15 Claremont Fan Court School
Coach Mr George Miller reports: 'The boys had a long journey to get to Claremont Fan Court School and were given little time to prepare for the game. Despite a slightly rushed warm-up, the boys went into the game strong and made some big tackles early on, turning the ball over and making good yards in attack but not being able to convert this ground into points. Unfortunately this became the theme of the game, despite the defensive effort of players such as Taj Angell and Alex Subramanian, Claremont were able to score 3 tries throughout the game. The attacking efforts of Harry Wood and Zac Everett saw Shiplake making good ground throughout the game, but they unfortunately were not able to convert this into points. It was a tough game, with some key players missing but the boys played valiantly. Final score, three tries to nil in favour of Claremont.'
Other Rugby Results
- 2nds 5-36 Churcher's College
- U14Bs 7-12 Churcher's College
- U14Bs vs Lord Wandsworth College (TBC)
Hockey
Girls' 1sts vs Gillotts: Won 4-3
Thank you to Head of Hockey, Mr Tom Walter, for the following report:
'As the girls’ hockey season drew to a close, the girls were anything but on the wind down as they warmed up for their final match, against local rivals Gillotts. Previous encounters have yielded a defeat and a draw, but Shiplake knew deep down that they had it in them to put all of this season’s hard work on the table and take the win. With a number of parents on the side line at Reading Hockey Club to support the girls on both teams, the atmosphere was both exciting and fiercely competitive.
Shiplake started the match strongly and their defensive organisation was the best it has been all season. With Emily Wilkinson stepping in for the absent Emily Duncan in goal, it was essential that the defenders provided as much cover as possible and the constant communication and tight marking set the tone. Beth Findlay did an excellent job of keeping the Gillotts right winger quiet and Sophia Gibbs and Daisy Stuart were solid at the back, not shying away from any individual battle. Further forward, Lauren McNally was a constant thorn in the Gillotts side with her powerful running and Hannah Stevens and Hannah Burnett were industrious in the middle of the pitch. Shiplake were rewarded for all their hard work when a long ball forward found Liv Bartlett unmarked and she remained composed to slot past the onrushing goalkeeper for 1-0. This quickly become 2-0 as Lauren McNally smashed home a short corner in style. As the half wore on, Gillotts managed to get a foot hold in the match and although Shiplake managed to repel five consecutive short corners, a scramble in the D feel kindly to a Gillotts player who pushed the ball home, despite Wilkinson getting a stick on it. At 2-1, the match could have gone either way but another ball forward from Barnett found Bartlett once again in space, and just as before, she remained incredibly composed to slot the ball home.
Going in 3-1 at half time, the girls could have relaxed in the second half and taken their foot off the gas; they did anything but. With Brooke Creighton linking play majestically between the midfield and attack, the only thing preventing Shiplake from extending their lead was a couple of good saves from the Gillotts goalkeeper – none more important than when Issy Webster found herself with room to take aim but she only managed to find the pads of the goalkeeper. Fortune favoured Webster a few minutes later as she brilliantly controlled a high ball in the D and squared to Bartlett who tapped the ball home, taking her season's goal tally to seven. However, as legs began to tire, the match opened up and Gillotts attacked with pace and power. Within the space of 5 minutes Gillotts managed to score two quick fire goals and the crowd were on edge as we moved into the final three minutes. Some resolute defending and determination to get the win, particularly from Emma Renwick, kept the Gillotts forwards at bay and as the full time whistle went, the girls celebrated a fantastic win to round off the season.
Goals: Bartlett (3), McNally
Player of the Match: Emily Wilkinson
Many thanks to the parents who have supported the girls with their voices and the baking expertise this season, and they can now look forward to supporting them in the netball leagues next term!'
