This week concluded the last matches and regattas of the school year with the highlight being O Morgan making Shiplake history by becoming the first girl, while representing the College, to win Henley Women's Regatta. M Dalrymple also achieved the remarkable feat of scoring two centuries on the same day at the Reading Blue Coat T20 tournament.
Henley Women’s Regatta
O Morgan, made school history as she became the first girl to win Henley Women’s Regatta representing the College. She raced in the Aspirational double sculls with her partner, L Henry from Leicester Rowing Club. In addition to winning their final comfortably, they also broke the course record.
O Morgan and L Henry now look to Henley Qualifiers this Friday, where they are hoping to qualify for the Stonor Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta.
Marlow Regatta
Marlow Regatta saw the last open regatta of the 2019 season, where Shiplake had two boats entered, our 2nd VIII trying to qualify for Henley Regatta and our J14A 8x+.
The J14’s won their time trial, which put them in an extremely good position for the A final. The crew did not disappoint, and lead the pack from the start and dominated their race, beating main rivals Radley who had previously pipped them to the gold medal at National Schools Regatta.
The 2nd VIII, otherwise known as our Temple 8+, raced together for the first time in their new combination, which was a chance to test their speed out. Despite racing against many other school boys 1st VIII crews, they achieved an excellent result in the time trial coming 4th and securing their place in the A final. In the A final the crew held their own, and placed 4th, ahead of Radley’s 2nd VIII and just behind Westminster, Pangbourne and Latymer’s 1st VIII crews. This result shows real promise ahead of Henley Royal Regatta qualifiers on Friday evening, where they boys will race for a place in the Temple Challenge Cup.
BASHER Regatta
This event is an invitation only regatta, and we were very privileged to be invited by Eton College. It was a great format of racing, where all crews regardless of their age or category, race the time trial and the results are just based off boat speed.
Our J15 8+ won the time trial, with our J14A 8x+ placing 3rd and the J14B 8x+ coming 13th, just missing out on a place in the A final but putting them at top of the B final. These results put our J15s and J14A boats in the same A final. The J15 8+ were first off the start, and maintained their lead throughout the race, securing a win in the event. Closely followed by the J14As coming in second, ahead of two Eton and Abingdon crews. With the J14 B boat winning the B final, in front of St Pauls, Bedford and Abingdon crews.
Inter-School Tennis Tournament
Last Wednesday, the 1st IV travelled to Leighton Park to defend the Senior Inter-School Tennis Trophy, having won it for the last 2 years where combined scores of the individual players lead to an overall winning school. Each player battled through 3 rounds of singles tennis against opponents from Leighton Park, The Oratory, and Pangbourne College. There was some excellent tennis on show from J Underwood, T Lynskey, D Deakin and especially from M Firth playing his last match for the College. Unfortunately, after some closely fought points, Shiplake were just pipped to the win.
Cricket 1st XI T20 Tournament
On Monday, the 1st XI played at the Reading Blue Coat T20 Tournament, where 5 other school cricket teams played against each other. Shiplake won all three of their games in the tournament, and were down to play Reading Blue Coat to finish.
This tournament marked a very special occasion for our 1st XI Captain, M Dalrymple, in a recent conversation, Dalrymple told us that in his final few games as Captain, he wanted to do something that would be remembered for years to come. His performance at Reading Blue Coat was something definitely to remember. He achieved the remarkable feat of scoring two centuries on the same day at the T20 tournament. The first came off just 51 balls, 102 runs in total against Reading boys. The second hundred came in our third game against John Hampden Grammar School, 117 runs. He was leading run scorer at the tournament scoring 248 runs in total on the day.
