An interesting lot of results from the last two weeks of fixtures. Despite the dreadful weather raining off a handful of matches for both hockey and football teams, the girls had a chance to play netball and came away victorious in both matches! Hockey did not have quite the same luck, with a mixture of wins, draw and losses across the board.
Football
Shiplake 1st XI 2-2 Reading School
‘With the Shiplake 1st team not playing a fixture for three weeks before this game, and with Reading’s strong record, there was an uncertainty with this fixture. Reading gained an early control, and their tall, skilful striker pulled back a swift low cross to Shiplake’s back post, which was met by a fine late run into the box, putting them 1-0 up. Reading began putting great pressure on Shiplake, with many attempts on goal and Shiplake struggling to get the ball and retain possession. 10 minutes before half time Shiplake began playing our usual passing football, controlling the play and managing to win a free kick after a Reading midfielder brought Matty Fitzgerald down. After winning the free kick, Matty managed to put the ball in the top right corner. It was 1-1 at half-time.
After the break, Shiplake increased the intensity, playing controlling passing football. However, the tables turned and Reading began to pile great pressure on Shiplake’s goal. Callum Heppner-Logan managed to keep Shiplake in the game with a stunning save from the dangerous Reading winger. The opposition managed to win a corner, and with a run to the near post one of their many massive players managed to head in the goal, giving Reading the advantage again, with the score 2-1. In previous seasons, this goal may have sealed the win for a good team against Shiplake, but this team has a determined nature and resilience. Matty Fitzgerald managed to find the net from another free kick which was accurately delivered, only requiring the faintest of touches for a goal. Everyone missed it… but it bounced up past the keeper making the score 2-2. Reading came back attacking, trying to get a winner but with fantastic defensive work all game, Miles Bridgman managed to keep out Reading making the final score 2-2. Reading perhaps deserved more from the game but Shiplake did very well to come back from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten run. Men of the match were Matty Fitzgerald with his 2 free kick goals, Miles Bridgman with his great defensive work and Callum Heppner-Logan for a world class save and constant and effective organization.’
Captain of Football Freddie Lock
Hockey
U15A 0-6 Pangbourne College
‘After being on the end of a double-digit defeat when they last met, the U15s were under no illusions about the task in hand. However, Shiplake managed to create a real challenge to Pangbourne’s supremacy at Reading HC this time around. The U15s brought a lot more shape and urgency to this game and were annoyed at letting in two early goals. They rallied quickly and soon started putting Pangbourne under pressure with some smart inter-play in moving the ball out of defence. Unfortunately, the front runners were unable to stay in possession for any length of time and so scoring opportunities were few and far between. The opposition took full advantage of this weakness and added a further three goals before half time. Although five goals down, Shiplake had not played like a team who had conceded five goals and pushed hard in the second half, rewarded with a string of shooting opportunities, a number of short corners and also two shots saved on the line. One swift counterattack saw Pangbourne extend their lead but that was the only score in a quite riveting second half. Lots of positives to take forward into their next fixtures!’
Mr Richard Curtis
U15A 5-0 Leighton Park
‘With trips going out left, right and centre and also House Football taking place, the U15s were depleted of many of their stars. One or two of the weaker U16s and the U14s joined forces with the U15s to play a determined bunch from Leighton Park. From the outset Shiplake gained the ascendancy with some fine inter-passing. However, they found it difficult to convert all this pressure into goals. A change of tactics at half time brought the opposition up field and created space in behind them. This was neatly exploited by the Shiplake forwards, who managed to put five unanswered goals into the opposition net. All-in-all a good run-around for all concerned and some great inter-play in the second period, securing Shiplake’s superiority in this one-sided affair.’
Mr Richard Curtis
U14A 2-1 Pangbourne College
‘Shiplake U14 A XI had the pleasure of entertaining a Pangbourne side, the return fixture to which previously ended 2-2. Shiplake started brightly with Rory Diez Harrison finding his passing range early and sending some good passes through the middle of the pitch linking up well with Captain Callum Creighton in the front line. Persistence paid off and an opening fell to Tom Lynsky after a good turn from Callum Creighton. Tom kept his cool to finish neatly into the bottom corner. Shiplake upheld their good passing game, finding a way through the Pangbourne defence where Callum coolly completed the move to put Shiplake two up. Arthur Langeler continued to produce touches of magic skill and accurate searching passes, which kept Pangbourne on the back foot for the whole half.
Half time fell and it felt like deja vu, as Shiplake had found themselves in exactly the same position in the previous fixture at Pangbourne. Keen to hold out for the second half Shiplake consolidated at the back, with Thiery Althorp and Cameron Jones putting in some well-timed tackles. Stepping in for the second half at right back was James Hutchins, who integrated himself well into the game and made some timely challenges to keep Shiplake's two goal lead. A speculative ball through found a Pangbourne player in the D who managed to squeeze the ball past Billy Parrish in goal who, up to that point, had had a flawless game. Shiplake dug deep and brought men behind the ball for the final few minutes as the half seemed to go on for longer than expected. Some hard work from Shiplake’s midfielders - in particular Barney Rivett and Jack Underwood - eased some pressure on the Shiplake defence. In the end Shiplake ran out 2-1 winners, a deserved result having had the win taken away from them at Pangbourne.’
U14B 4-4 Pangbourne College
‘This was such a fantastic game with many boys playing their first games of hockey. Every single individual who took part, from both Pangbourne and Shiplake College acquitted themselves brilliantly. The game was played on the small astro attached to the main astro at Reading, meaning that it was a 6 a side game. Zak Tilley in goal for Shiplake was the star man in the first half, making several saves to thwart Pangbourne attacks. This, coupled with the fact that Shiplake had a better passing game, meant that the dangerous Michael Scanlon was able to score two goals to give Shiplake the early lead. Pangbourne came back but Henry Finnegan scored to make it 3-2 at half time. All boys gave some feedback at half time and this proved vital as Shiplake led by the immense Farhad Huseynli took a seemingly unassailable 4-2 lead. However, some defensive lapses gave Pangbourne two late goals to make the final score 4-4. Harrison Yates enjoyed a busy game and James Hutchins picked good pass after good pass. Man of the match went to Farhad Huseynli for his dominant tackling and all round enthusiasm.’
Mr James Gaunt
U12A 1-1 LVS Ascot
‘Shiplake started strongly, with Jamie Seddon and Jai Angel linking up well to cause the LVS defence some problems, whilst Anthony Adamson and Tom Sharp looked solid at the back. The first third became a real battle for possession as the teams weighed each other up and with legs tiring, both sides will have been happy to come in to the first break at 0-0. The second third found Shiplake under pressure for large periods, but Jamie Liu really started to show his quality in midfield and Matt Hartrup impressed in defense with some good challenges. James Braun and Tom Petrie worked well together to slow the LVS attack down the left flank and defence quickly turned into attack, with Jamie Liu feeding Jamie Seddon who showed maturity beyond his years to slot the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. Henry Poustie worked tirelessly on the right flank and was constantly looking for opportunities to attack, ensuring Shiplake finished the half 1-0 up.
In the final third Archie Arnold became very busy in the Shiplake goal but he made several impressive saves. Milo Connolly was also on hand to sweep up any loose balls and clear them to danger, however LVS managed to convert one counter attack to draw the scores level just before the end. The games finished in a draw, with Shiplake resisting some heavy LVS pressure and will be happy with a good result in their first game of the season.’
Master in Charge of Hockey Mr Tom Walter
U12B 0-4 LVS Ascot
‘This was the first game that eight of the eleven boys in the B squad had ever played and they can be truly proud of the progress they made as the game developed. It was 7 a side, meaning that there were always opportunities for a quick breakaway goal, but the heroics of Wallace Fisher kept the score line at 0-0 after the first 15 minute third. Hashim Iqbal manned the midfield, making several telling runs in to the opposition half. Will Taylor and Bertie Wallace worked hard up front, but had to survive on scraps of possession. At the start of the second half super subs Joe Hart and Jake Pearson came on, working hard in unison with the effervescent Bertie Wallace. Two late goals in the second third left us 3-0 down but not downhearted. In the last third, Seth Looney moved from keeper to midfielder using his power to cause LVS problems. However, despite regular incursions into the opposition half we were unable to manufacture a late consolation goal. It finished 4-0 to LVS but every individual who played can be truly pleased with their contributions. It would be unjust not to single out Bertie Wallace who was quite simply outstanding. His work rate, enthusiasm and tackling were absolutely top draw throughout the game. Well done young man!’
Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt
Netball
2nd VII 13-1 Magdalen College School
‘Due to the weather the match was relocated to the Sports Hall. With a goal being scored within the first minute by Louise French, the Shiplake team got off to a good start. The defence intercepted the passes to stop Magdalen College getting into the semi-circle to shoot. The team worked well to try and keep the ball in our semi-circle- however Magdalen gained one goal in this quarter, making the score at the end of the first quarter 3-1 to Shiplake. The second quarter saw Shiplake keep in good spirits, with the ball in our side of the court. The score at the end of the second quarter was 5-1.
The third (and subsequently final) quarter saw defence doing very well at intercepting the centre passes and getting infront of the players. The shooters’ precision helped us urge our score up to 9-1 by the end of the game. Due to a lack of time the final quarter couldn’t be played, however the teams extremely well in the time they had. Well done to Shiplake fpr a good win and, in particular, well done to Alice Ingham-Halshaw who earned Player of the Match for her role as wing-defence throughout the match.’
Jess Hide (Year 12)
