Sports Report 12 October 2021

We had another action packed week of rugby fixtures with games against University College School and a 10s tournament at Lord Wandsworth College for the U12As and U13As. In Hockey the girls played a tough match against Holyport College but kept their defence strong and spirits high in the second half.

Rugby

1st XV - Mr Beckett
Once again, Shiplake 1st XV imposed their dominance from KO on the set piece and ruck. After sustained pressure on the UCS try line, A Thomson scuttled over the line after six minutes (5-0). UCS then got into the game with a few entries into the Shiplake 22 but came away with 0 points. The forward pack and back line combined well to put O Lewis away in the corner from a well-worked team try, J Blacknell with the conversion (12-0). UCS scored the next try from a defensive lapse, the 1st XV leaving a gaping hole at the ruck (12-5). A Arnold made the most of the decoy runner (J Rogers) and J Angell cruised in for the final points of the first half (19-5). The second half was all Shiplake, A Arnold (24-5) crossing the try line with a lovely grubber and collect then N Floyd crossing 10 minutes later (31-5). Stand out game management by A Arnold once again. UCS scored some late consolation tries but the 1st XV continue to impress as we head into a much needed break. Final score 31-17.

With 10 players back from injury, round 3 of the National Vase and Friday Night Lights v Pangbourne in the second half of term, it will be challenging but the players and coaches are excited for the months ahead.

2nd XV - Mr Geyton
With four defeats from four looming over the 2nd XV, the first 40 minutes seemed like an all too familiar feeling as a strong UCS team made Shiplake pay in difficult slippery conditions and went in with a half-time lead of 14 to Shiplake’s 5. 

Half-time however, along with a change in weather saw a resurgent Shiplake, under the leadership of the interim captain B Wallace stepping in for an injured B Fundell. An excellent show of strength and determination from J Knight saw him brush off the UCS defences with a strong score under the posts to get Shiplake going. O Stalder, back in the team, put in a man of the match performance and repeatedly pegged them back into their own 22. 

Shiplake finished strong with some good support from the side lines. One person in particular L O’Donoghue who, despite an early in jury, continued to cheer on his team before being wheeled into the ambulance. We wish you a speedy recovery!

U15As - Mr Dix
A much improved start to the match with early tries from L Spence, F Hawkes and H Brough. J Bizior put pressure on their 10 throughout, J Coe communicated well at 9 and there were great carries from H Brough, L Spence and A Malcolm. Second half tries from H Edwards and S Mealing secured a 33-5 win, with captain C Burnett kicking four conversions.

U15B - Mr Miller
A scrappy game, but Shiplake came away with a 12-0 win. The tries came from D Tabbarah and A Siveter, and the latter was named man of the match. O Morris had a strong game from full-back - counter attacking effectively. L Cawdell and D Higgins carried the ball well, and F Feltham was excellent in defence. 

U14B - Dr D’Rozario 
A cracking game of rugby with F Partridge scoring one and a brace from M Taylor-Fitzgibbon. Top performances all round and sadly UCS snatched a draw with the final play of the game. 3-3 in tries (15-15). Notable moments included an outstanding tackle from F Russell and extremely high work rate from W Tavinor, M Jacobs, P Welsh and B Demerey. 

U13A - Mr Batchelor
In tough conditions at the Lord Wandsworth 10s Tournament, Shiplake U13s battled well in their opening games winning both comfortably.  They then came up against a brutishly physical Embly College side and gave them arguably the game of the tournament, narrowly losing 2 tries to 1. Shiplake dominated the last 3 matches ending with an overall record of 5 wins, 1 loss. Stand-out performances go to F Holgate for a never ending work ethic; H Taphouse for steely determination and heroic defending; and J Terry for outstanding positioning throughout and rapid pace on the wings.

U12A - Mr Crisford
At Lord Wandsworth 10s tournament, despite the poor visibility Shiplake Under 12s put in an incredible performance winning all three of our pool games to dominate the division. Tackling and strong running was evident across the team, none more so than some big hits being made from O Griffin and some great lines being run by Z Sanders. In the final we played the winning team from Pool 1 and despite our best efforts we came off second best in this match. 

Hockey

On Wednesday 6 October the girls played a match against Holyport College. It was a tough first half as the Holyport girls started strong, but play was evenly in both attacking ends. The half time score was 4-0 to Holyport but after a quick half-time chat from Mr Bradley, Miss Mordue and Miss James, the girls carried on into the second half with their heads in the game. During the second half of the match, the Shiplake girls did not let Holyport score and I Wood scored an amazing goal, winning the second half 1-0. Despite losing this match, the girls showed great teamwork and determination and kept team spirit high to come back in the second half. Great play from M Adams with her great defence work and strong play from M Berry and C Watthey. R Allen was awarded Player of the Match for all her fantastic saves as goalie. Shiplake are looking forward to their match against LVS next week.

Report by Maddie Fisher, Girls' Hockey Captain