This week was certainly a case of 'what might have been', after several teams got themselves into winning positions but failed to close out the game. Our senior footballers had tough assignments away at the Oratory, made more difficult by the absence of several key players at university open days! On the netball court, our girls continued their dramatic improvement in a thrilling encounter against Henley College. It was again on the hockey pitch where Shiplake enjoyed their greatest success, with the 2nd XI seeing off local rivals Reading Bluecoat.
Netball
Shiplake College 16-17 Henley College
Match report by Emily Dewell and Kate Horn:
On Wednesday, Shiplake College took on Henley College in a very close match indeed. Being only our fourth match of the season, we played extremely well. Our shooters Beth Jones and Chloe Goodman did an exceptional job in scoring a total of 16 goals throughout the match, which we were really proud of. Liv Bird and Emma Haynes battled hard in defence to keep Henley at bay, with centre Hannah Cartwright linking the play well.
Our netball skills have improved drastically since day one, and now we are working much better as a team; communicating more, and working on creating more dynamic play. Our task now is to focus on improving our marking skills, as this was one small factor that let us down.
Possession was relatively equal though the course of the match, and this meant our chances of scoring were much higher, and this was definitely reflected in the final score. Sadly, the match finished before we were given the chance to even out the score, but losing by a mere one goal is nothing to be ashamed of by any means. We came agonisingly close on so many shots, where the ball simply refused to drop into the net.
Overall, we are improving week by week, and we are becoming a much better team, so well done girls!
Football
Shiplake 1st XI 1-4 Oratory School
Match report written by senior football captain Tom Banks:
Last Wednesday Shiplake 1st XI played against The Oratory School in Woodcote. With key players Freddie Ireland and Markland Tidswell both missing, we knew it was going to be a tough encounter. A high-tempo warm up was required to get the body pumping in the freezing temperatures.
Shiplake started the game well with strong defence by Freddie Lock and some well-timed challenges from Suilven Wagner-Piggott. Marcus Grun was holding the shape well in the middle of the park placing balls over into the opposition half. However, we conceded two goals which were mainly down to lack of communication. At half time, it was 2-0 to the Oratory.
The second half started and Shiplake were playing like a different team. Within the first five minutes of the second half, an excellent ball was played over the top for Ruairi Van Raatle to chase and unselfishly play the ball back to Charlie Proctor. What happened next will be talked about in Shiplake and the surrounding villages for many years to come. Charlie took the ball on the half volley and blasted a sublime shot into the top left corner of the net. After much debate, we can safely say it was at least thirty yards out.
With Shiplake now dominating in all areas of the pitch and adrenaline pumping throughout the team, Shiplake had many shots but could not find the back of the net. With only a bare eleven, Shiplake began to tire with ten minutes to go. After not closing down their players in time, a shot was fired from the edge of the box and a lucky deflection off the inner thigh of Tom Banks spun the ball to the other side of the net. With the full time whistle approaching, Shiplake were trying to fight back, with some great ball control from Cameron Goodliffe the team became alive again and some excellent interchanging play from Miles Bridgeman and Adam Hunt almost led to a second goal. However, Shiplake were caught off guard and a penalty was awarded after a rash Wagner-Piggott tackle. The striker placed the ball into the corner of the net leaving the final score Shiplake 1, Oratory 4.
The Oratory manager Steve Tomlinson has kindly been in touch to congratulate Charlie on his wonder-goal. The rest of us simply cannot believe it went in, and are disappointed the strike has not yet appeared on Sky Sports News.
Man of the Match: Cameron Goodliffe
Shiplake 2nd XI 1-5 Oratory School
On Wednesday 4 February, the Shiplake 2nd XI travelled to the Oratory School to face their local rivals. Despite being down to a squad of just 11 players, Head Coach Mr Miller was able to field a strong team - opting for a 4-1-3-2, Chelsea inspired, formation.
The boys got off to a lively start and created lots of chances going forward, largely through Elliot Wittingham and Chris Miller's intricate interplay. Unfortunately Shiplake were unable to convert this early pressure into a goal and were punished when the Oratory scored direct from a corner. The boys showed great heart though and soon equalised through hockey convert, Jack Tooley.
The goal came as a result of a well timed tackle from Ben Tresidder at the back, which allowed Chris Miller to play in the impressive debutant Ben Arnold. Ben then turned his marker, before unleashing a powerful drive towards the bottom corner; the keeper saved but Tooley pounced to slam home the rebound.
However, Shiplake spirits were soon dealt another cruel blow, when Oratory scored just before half-time... Again, the goal came from a corner - something the coach will be looking to address in next week's training. The second half did not go Shiplake's way and, if it wasn't for the dynamic, and ever tenacious, Toby Brough in goal, then the final scoreline could have been worse.
Final score: 5-1 ... a few wounds to lick before the next match.
Mr Miller
Shiplake 3rd XI 1-3 Oratory School
On a bitterly cold day away at Oratory, the Shiplake 3rd XI knew there was more at stake than just bragging rights over their local rivals. With both teams jostling for the top spot in what has been a fiercely competitive league, all knew that the stakes were high.
Despite some excellent harrying and pressure on Oratory, a cruel deflection off the Shiplake crossbar landed in the path of an attacking player who tapped in the first goal of the match. Undeterred and inspired by an industrious centre midfield partnership of Freddie Ellis and Zach Heppner-Logan, Shiplake rallied and were unlucky not to have a score. The new strike partnership of James Fenton and James Sloman caused trouble for the Oratory defence and it was only the excellent efforts the their keeper that denied both of them scores.
Tommy Moore was akin to a certain Manuel Neuer as he was the very personification of calmness in his first start at keeper. Such calmness, however, was not enough to stop a second well-worked goal from the home side who went 2-0 going into the break.
The second half saw a hugely impressive start from Shiplake as they took to their roles with zeal and a beautifully weighted ball through by Heppner-Logan was seized on by James Sloman who has now scored in every game so far this season. Such accolades mean little to James as he encouraged his team-mates to keep pressing for an equaliser and press they did. Sam Mummery and Matt Fenton bullied their opposing men and cut out wide passes before Oratory could gather momentum. Jack Wilis and Matt Tse clocked up the mileage as they tore up and down the sideline defending and attacking with the same doggedness for each. Henry Waller and impact substitution Ruaidhri Sheppard made Oratory work up front as they were forced to struggle to get a clean shot on goal.
With such colossal endeavours from the away team and the sides balanced at 2-1 for the majority of the half, something had to give. Unfortunately it was Shiplake who blinked first and conceded another goal. At 3-1 the pressure was off Oratory and the herculean efforts of Shiplake took their toll as cramp and fatigue set in. The scoreline finished 3-1 and while Shiplake had lost their 100% league record, by no means had they lost their pride.
Mr Sharkey
Shiplake 4th XI 2-5 Oratory School
Shiplake’s 4th XI could not convert a strong start into three points as they threw away a 2-0 lead away at the Oratory. A strong run to the byline by Lister led to the first goal, with his fierce cross being turned in by the Oratory centre half. James Vizard doubled the Shiplake advantage, heading in Rubbani’s pinpoint cross.
Despite being behind, the Oratory were playing the better football and their pressure soon told as they pulled a goal back. A miraculous goal-line clearance from Callum James kept it a 2-1, but Oratory kept surging forward. Philliskirk made a great save but could do nothing to keep out the rebound.
Injuries reduced the game to 9-a-side in the second half, and the Oratory took advantage of the increased space by adding to their tally. Man of the match was awarded to Shanaka Clay in the first half, and Hassan Rubbani in the second.
Shiplake U14A 5-3 Cokethorpe
On Wednesday 4 February Shiplake U14A played their first home fixture of the 2015 season. The game started fairly evenly with both teams looking to pass the ball around in midfield. Will Mullin at left back made a particularly impressive start to the game, breaking up play and launching attacks from deep. Shiplake grew into the game and began moving forward and threatening the Cokethorpe goal. The pressure began to build and Shiplake had a strong penalty appeal turned down (by myself). It was a sign of things to come.
The first goal came from a whipped in corner, calmly slotted away by Matty Fitzgerald. Shiplake continued to dominate the midfield consistently winning first and second balls, setting up multiple attacks. However, the Cokethorpe defence held firm and at half time the score remained 1-0 to Shiplake.
After a couple of half time changes Shiplake did not start the second half in the same way they ended the first, conceding two goals in the opening two minutes. Cokethorpe then added a third which sparked Shiplake back into action will Callum Theodorou getting a brace to level the game at 3-3. However, Shiplake were not finished there and with Cokethorpe on the back foot and rattled, Shiplake won a free kick just outside the box.
Matty Fitzgerald drilled the set piece over the wall and into the roof of the net putting Shiplake back in front. Frustration started to set in amongst the Cokethorpe back line but Shiplake remained focused and kept the ball well. Another well worked attack lead to a low and hard shot from Fitzgerald which completed his hat trick and seal the first win of the season.
Shiplake U14B 2-4 Cokethorpe
Shiplake U14B played Cokethorpe at home in their second game of the season. After a very positive result against Long Close School the team were looking forward to the next challenge. The game began well for Shiplake, confident on the ball and showing some good passing movement. This encouraging start lead to an attack where Morgan Taylor slotted the ball past the diving keeper to put Shiplake one goal up.
Shiplake continued to probe forward, putting the Cokethorpe defence under pressure. This lead to a dangerous ball into the box which got turned into his own net by a Cokethorpe defender. The second Shiplake goal seemed to shake the opposition up and they began to play some much better football. They kept the ball well and Shiplake struggled to win it back, this lead to their first and second goals bringing the scores level. Cokethorpe gained confidence from this and went in pursuit of a winner that they found with 15 minutes of the game remaining. Sadly, despite our best efforts we could not get a goal back and Cokethorpe finished the game off with a fourth, just taking the game out of Shiplake’s reach. Final score finished 4-2 to Cokethorpe.
Despite the result, Jim Reynolds was pleased with his side’s display. He will be keen to ensure the boys keep their concentration throughout the match next week. This really was ‘a game of two halves’.
Other Results
Shiplake U15A 3-4 Cokethorpe
Hockey
Shiplake College 2nd XI 1-0 Reading Bluecoat
On a bitterly cold afternoon, the 2nds faced Bluecoat’s only senior team. It was fairly even all the way through although our solid defence, especially Jason Chan, held them at bay and they never really threatened our goal.
We had numerous opportunities to score during the game with balls flying across their D at regular intervals but we failed to convert any of them (training ground practice required!). Eventually it was Tom McCooke who did the business at last with a powerful lofted shot which flew off a defenders stick into the top corner to score the only goal of the game. Overall then, a good game to watch, competitively fought, played in the right spirit but we should have scored more goals.
Dr Bob Snellgrove
Shiplake 3rd XI 0-1 Pangbourne
Arriving at Pangbourne early for what was potentially their sternest test yet, the 17 man (and girl) squad opted for the comfort and warmth of the bus in which to carry out their pre-match preparations. Once out in the arctic conditions, the players soon found out that the opposition were a well trained and organised outfit.
Such was Shiplake’s character and determination, however, Pangbourne managed to score only a single goal in the first half; they failed to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities, made all the more difficult by another stellar performance in goal by skipper Webb supported by a tireless display of solid defence by the back three, consisting of Walker, Van Der Lely and Geisler.
Shiplake’s defiant defence continued into the second half and Pangboune were unable to find the goal again. The midfield started to work well although sadly centre forward Davis started to slow down. A single chance was well taken by self-styled centre forward Hall; sadly he was a metre outside the “D” when he shot!
The man of the match award was clinched by Van Der Lely for his gutsy performance in defence.
This week, the 3rd XI drew 1-1 with Leighton Park.
Junior Colts 0-1 Windsor Boys’ School
Head coach Mr Curtis cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as the Junior Colts slumped to a disappointing defeat. Masses of possession in the first half could not be turned into goals as Shiplake squandered chance after chance to fire off shots when in decent positions to do so.
A sharp Windsor counter-attack saw them take the lead midway through the first half and thereafter they rarely looked to threaten Shiplake’s goal until the final minutes when desperation kicked in.
The second half was a little better but the Junior Colts side still lacked that cutting edge required to turn good performances into good results. Still, there is plenty of promise in the side which we hope will yield success later in the season.
Rugby
Shiplake U13A 50-0 Leighton Park
Shiplake’s Lower School rugby side looked in fabulous form on Wednesday, racking up a cricket score against Leighton Park.
