After the disappointing results at Friday Night Lights, the teams were keen to get back on track with some wins before the season draws to a close. Taking on local rivals Desborough College, the 1st XV found themselves against a well-matched opponent. Merchant Taylors’ School also made a reappearance as the opposition.
Rugby
1st XV 12-12 Desborough College
In a well-matched game, the Shiplake side had their work cut out to achieve victory, and the comeback from the Friday Night Lights score that they so desperately wanted. Taking full advantage of the length and width of the pitch, the players were incredibly mobile, working well as a team to gain possession of the ball for much of the first half. Unfortunately, the opposition worked well and found gaps in the defence, evening the score and ending the game at 12 all.
U15A XV 14-50 Merchant Taylors’ School
Mr Richard Curtis provides the following report from a difficult match:
‘A day to forget in almost every respect. One team wanted it and, whilst the Shiplake team fielded several individuals who played really well, the apathy from the team as a whole was too much and the efforts of some unfortunately did not make any difference to the score-line. The opposition kicked off and quickly ran in three tries without the defence troubling their efforts too much. Shiplake then responded with a couple of well-worked tries themselves, but then went on to concede at regular intervals for the remainder of the match. Individual tackling technique has been the focal point of much of their training schedules subsequently!’
U14A XV 12-5 Merchant Taylors’ School
‘The U14A XV travelled to Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, with a much depleted squad, but the team had every confidence in those players asked to step up and play. Oli Frisby came in at fly half, and Rory Abery at second row. Shiplake played into a fierce gale in the first half but we played superbly, keeping the ball tight where possible. We made large territory gains through the pick and go game, and then used the power of Billy Parrish to get more midfield territory. Barney Rivett, Harvey Greenaway and Archie Buchanan positioned themselves fantastically so the opposition’s long kicks could be returned.
At half time, we had a satisfying 7-0 lead. With the wind at our backs we set about playing a tactical kicking game. Unfortunately, we lacked composure when we then had scoring opportunities. A second try did make it 12-0, but back came Merchant Taylors’ to score, making it 12-5. The team’s spirit kept us going and we came through to win another close fought game 12 points to five. Mason Thorne was awarded Man of the Match.’
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt
U13A XV 32-5 Our Lady’s Abingdon Senior School
Mr Tom Crisford reports the following from a well-played match:
‘After a tough defeat against Gillotts at Friday Night Lights, Shiplake needed to show a great deal of character to get the season back on track and a fine victory against OLA proved to be just the answer. With the team playing 12 aside on a large pitch, there was also going to be wide spaces and Shiplake were able to exploit this with a final victory score line of 32-5. Outside centre Theo Fewtrell put in a great performance, scoring a well-deserved hat trick with some strong counter attacking rugby. Further tries from Ralph Burrows and Ben Willis extended the score and Shiplake certainly started to look like a real quality outfit! The score could have been greater still had we been more clinical but, as we move into the final stages of the season, this was a great way to prepare for our last game in a few weeks’ time.’