With a fixture-free Saturday due to the exeat weekend, there were a number of matches played mid-week, including three victorious away games to local rivals Reading Blue Coat. The U13s and U12s met their local rivals Gillotts but were not quite so successful, winning only one of the three fixtures. Years 9 to 11 took part in the first round of the House Touch Rugby Tournament as well as coming up against Wallingford and Leighton Park Schools. The girls' hockey teams had tight matches, losing 3-2 to Blue Coat and drawing 1-1 against Magdalen College.
1st XV Won 17-13 vs Reading Blue Coat
After a confident and intense week of training, the whole squad was prepared to take on local rivals Reading Blue Coat. On arrival the Shiplake 1st XV could tell that the wide pitch would play to their advantage. After a nice short kick off from Matt Dalrymple it was clear to see that both sides were prepared for a very physical contest. In the first 10 minutes Shiplake found themselves on the back foot after a few sloppy penalties were given away, allowing the Blue Coat to gain an early 3 points. However, Shiplake came back with some punchy lines through the 10 channel from Tom Coates and Robbie Cartwright, allowing them to gain some control of the game. The Shiplake backs then linked up well with some creative off loads by Els Frisby and Matty Fitzgerald, providing a good field position in the Blue Coat 22. The game then became plagued with off the ball incidents that meant the standard of rugby from both teams dropped dramatically leading to a disappointing end to the first half.
During half-time, decorum was recovered and play continued. But the Shiplake boys found themselves camped in their own 22 for the beginning of second half which allowed the Blue Coat to come away with another penalty making the score 6-5.
Again Shiplake came back kicking with captain Harvey Hendry making impressive ground with a rush from fullback. This put pressure on Blue Coat resulting in them giving away a penalty. Joe Booth then took an instinctive tap and go and put Louis Ashcroft in plenty of space to score under the post, giving Shiplake the lead once more. Booth then achieved another incredible try, making the score 12-6.
Once more Shiplake found themselves in their own half but some remarkable defence from the likes of Will Properjohn kept Blue Coat from making any distance. The Blue Coat boys then set up a powerful rolling maul which overcame Shiplake, leading them to score. With the score at 11-12 the Blue Coat kicker converted the try to give them the lead of 13-12, which made for a tense final 10 minutes. Shiplake then stole the ball from the restart which lead to a break by Lucas Smyth but unfortunately he couldn’t make it across the line this time meaning Blue Coat still had the lead.
On Blue Coat's 5 metre line with a scrum to be played, the backs set the ball up to then go down the blind side finding Ben Stacey on the wing who ploughed over the try line to achieve the well-deserved win. This was the first time the Shiplake 1st XV have beaten Blue Coat since 2012, showing the incredible attitude that the squad has adopted.
Report provided by Joe Booth and Captain Harvey Hendry
.jpg)
2nd XV Won 54-12 vs Reading Blue Coat
Within the first minute, the boys of Shiplake 2nd XV had scored their first try, paving the way for the remaining game. JJ Acton had a fast start to game, and made his second try just five minutes in, already leading 14-0. Further tries from Josh Howard and Brad Wilkins lead the team to a 28-0 lead at half time.
The boys from Reading Blue Coat School followed suit, by scoring in the first minute of the second half but additional tries from Jack Reed, Will Parton and Joe Kerrison meant that the Shiplake 2nd XV won with an impressive score of 54-12.
U16As Won 26-17 vs Reading Blue Coat
Right from the first whistle, the Under 16s started strong, making smart decisions and avoiding mistakes. The forwards from Shiplake made better tackles, and unfortunately one or two mis-tackles, meaning Blue Coat were able to gain their first converted try. Soon after, Shiplake were ready to return fire, with Adam Porter flying up on the wing and scoring a beautiful try with impressive assistance from his teammates.
The second half started immensely, with a try being scored on the kick off. From here on out Shiplake lead on the score board until the final whistle was blown. With Blue Coat continuously trying to breach our defences, they refused to rest. Each of their players were knocked back and every time they gained possession of the ball, it was soon tackled out of their hands. The final score was 26-17 to the Shiplake boys.
Report provided by Mr Diez-Urkidi
U15A Won 19-10 vs Gillotts School
Despite losing after an incredible performance against Seaford last weekend, Shiplake were determined to gain a victory over Gillotts. So they did just that. The first ten minutes mainly consisted of defence in their own half but were soon on the offense, bringing the ball deep into Gillotts’ half. Our boys continued to drive forward with several strong carries from the forwards. Gillotts then conceded a penalty at just 7 metres from the line. Archie McArthur took his opportunity and powered over the try line after a tiny tap.
Shortly into the second half James Burgess scored a try after Gillotts fumbled the ball. After a couple of sly points from Gillotts, Jack Livingstone-Smith assisted Burgess to score another penalty, finishing the match with a 19-10 victory!
Report provided by Vice-Captain James Burgess
U14Bs Lost 0-46 vs Leighton Park U14As
Under pressure from the start, Shiplake College U14B found their defensive form to disrupt a relentless attack from the opposition Leighton Park U14As during the home game at Riverside C. Leighton Park had strong runners, but Shiplake managed to break their line several times with notable tackling from Bertie Wallace, Tom Sharp and Henry Poustie.
Leighton Park won decisively with a final result of 0-46. However, Shiplake College played with heart and all enjoyed the game. There were no injuries. It was a good learning curve ahead of the team’s next match against Reading Blue Coat School. Thanks go to Leighton Park School Boys U14A team for an exciting and challenging game and to Shiplake College coach Mr Miller and referee, Mr Muhley.
Report provided by Alex Rowe
Girls' 1st XI Hockey Lost 2-3 vs Reading Blue Coat
We came into to our second match and our first league match a bit apprehensive as we had never played Reading Blue Coat before. With the Headmaster watching on, we started our match hopeful for the win but we soon realised it would not be an easy afternoon. They were stronger and faster than the Lord Wandsworth side that we played last week and worked well together. However, we started the match positively and after some great work Brooke Creighton and Hannah Stevens, our first goal was scored by Sophie Weldon as she tapped in easily on the far post. We were starting to get more confident, and our defensive line of Daisy Stuart, Rhian Edwards, Lauren McNally and Isabelle Smith withstood immense pressure with some fine tackles. Unfortunately Blue Coat retaliated quickly and managed to force the ball past Jade Miller in the net.
The second half was very open with both teams looking for the win and a goalmouth scramble led to Weldon scoring her second of the game. Georgina Stebbings had an outstanding second half, using the ball effectively always looking for space but not even she could prevent Blue Coat scoring their second after they had created multiple two on ones. By this point it had been a close match, but with the team tiring Blue Coat managed to score another goal in the dying minutes, leaving the final score to be 3-2. Player of the match went to Emma Renwick.
Report by Lauren McNally, 1st XI Girls’ Hockey Captain
Other Results
- 3rd XV Lost 5-64 vs Claires Court School
- U16A Won 27-8 vs Wallingford School
- U15C Lost 15-40 vs Leighton Park School
- U13A Lost 6-8 vs Gillotts School
- U13B Lost -5 vs Gillotts School
- U12A Won 9-2 vs Gillotts School
- Girls' 2nd XI Hockey Drew 1-1 vs Magdalen College School