The final week of term saw fewer fixtures, but no less spirit and sporting prowess shown.
Hockey
1st XI 2-0 Pangbourne College
In an emotional game for many of the Year 13s, playing in
their final hockey match for Shiplake, the stage was set for a passionate
performance against local rivals Pangbourne. Needless to say that the team were
up for it! Although the sandy pitch was nothing like the facilities at our home
ground, Reading Hockey Club, we came out of the starting blocks at full speed
and had Pangbourne on the back food for long periods of the first half. Despite
this, Pangbourne still looked dangerous on the counter attack and our defence,
particularly Barney Aldridge and Jonny Meadows, had to be fully focused to
sniff out any attacks before they gathered momentum. Some smart play between
the ever-improving Will Gresswell, and Daniel ‘Iniesta’ Deakin lead to a short
corner, which was finished off in usual style by Captain Aldridge. Barney
Aldridge takes the accolade of top goal scorer this season; impressive (and,
apparently, record breaking) for a centre back! Harry Marsden continually
pestered the pangbourne back line as he looked to create chances for his team
mates and must have covered several miles up and down the right flank. Orla
Brown, this year’s Player of the Season, was on her usual fine form, continually
making intelligent runs and breaking the Pangbourne play up in the centre of
midfield. Eventually, some link up play from Dom Allen and playmaker Anthony
Miarli led to another short corner, which was this time tapped in by Dan
Deakin, who has had a fantastic second half of the season since returning from
injury. Yeem Chanthanawan, who always puts the team first (hence his Players’
Player of the Season Award) showered continual dynamism and energy, encouraging
Shiplake to attach but also putting in several strong challenges defensively,
as Shiplake took a 2-0 lead into the break.
In what was clearly a game of two halves, Shiplake lost some
momentum in the second half and Pangbourne’s rugby-style of play was proving
difficult to break down. Deakin and Allen continued to work hard and Jamie
Lewis worked the left flank well when given the opportunity. Local woodchopper
Liam Peachy was looking his usual composed self, until an injury forced him
from the pitch for a short period, and youngster James Smith was given an
opportunity to get a taste of first team action. A scrappy second half
presented few opportunities for him to show off his speed and skill. Despite
the openness of the second half, Jack Tooley was barely tested in the Shiplake
goal but his presence there offers reassurance to the whole team. The match
finished 2-0, and it was as much as Shiplake deserved, playing thebetter
hockey. It was the perfect send off for our leavers, and left Shiplake
undefeated in the second half of the season, winning three and drawing two
which is testament to the team for their hard work this year.
Mr Tom Walter
2nd XI 1-1 Pangbourne College
Still asleep from the coach journey, and waiting for the 1st
XI to play their game, meant that we took at least ten minutes to get into our
strike, and we were lucky not to go a goal down very quickly. Gradually,
however, we picked up our performance and started to put pressure on the
opposition. We were rewarded by our faithful goal scorer coming up with the
goods and slotting one home from a penalty corner. Pangbourne came back at us,
and managed to win several penalty corners of their own, with the last one
proving successful. The half time score was one all.
The second half was keenly contested, but neither side could
wrestle the advantage from the other, even though we missed a couple of
sitters. An honourable draw was the final outcome, and final score of what has
been a very successful season.
Dr Bob Snellgrove
Junior Colts 3-0 Pangbourne College
In their final game of the season, the Junior Colts welcomed
Pangbourne to Reading Hockey Club for what was an eagerly anticipated return
match. The first meeting had ended 2-2, so the squad knew that they would have
to be at their best to record a win against our local rivals; and that they
were. The squad started superbly, taking the initiative from the word go. Jacob
Bowley and Tim Herbert dominated the midfield, with Olly Brown was doing his
best to impersonate a rock in the middle of defence. He and Zeb Hjaltun-Rayner
were quick to intercept any foray that Pangbourne made towards the Shiplake
goal, and provided some excellent long clearances. Shiplake took the lead after
six minutes when the Pangbourne keeper made a rash decision to leave his goal
mouth. He was rounded and Jack Rees had an easy tap in. This goal was immediately
followed by a second- Olly Brown again cleared upfield; Marcus Brown, who was
playing superbly, latched onto it and then finished brilliantly from a wide
left position. Spirits were high, and Justin Van Vuuren was resolutely blocking
any attempt on goal that Pangbourne could muster.
At half time, team captain Tim Herbert gave some reassuring
feedback and the side again rallied well to start the second half as the
dominant team. A third goal was soon to follow and with Marcus Hillman, Freddie
Bowcock and Ben Fletcher making probing runs into the opposition’s D it look as
if the floodgates could open. Unfortunately, this didn’t materialise but the
defence and, in particular, Jamie Gibbs, stood strong to ensure Pangbourne were
left goalless at the end of the match. A 3-0 win over our local rivals meant
bragging rights remained firmly within the confines of Shiplake College. Very
well done to all who were involved.
Mr James Gaunt
Other results:
Hockey
3rd XI 0-6 Pangbourne College
Football
3rd XI 3-2 Thorpe House School
It was a pleasing finish to the season for the 3rd XI football team, as they put in a strong performance against Thorpe House School and came out on top. Action from the event is shown below:
U14A 5-0 Thorpe House School
Rugby Sevens
1st VII 19-17 Haileybury
1st VII 34-5 Queen Elizabeth’s School
1st VII 12-26 Gresham’s School
1st VII 27-22 Queen’s College
To see more photos from the matches, please click here.