It's been another action-packed week of sport with two days of rugby for the Rugby 7s Tournament at Rosslyn Park, football against Wellington and LVS and in netball our annual Inter-House tournament took place and the A team played a friendly against the girl rowers.
Rugby
Rugby 7s at Rosslyn Park
Our 1st VII boys were at Rosslyn Park 7s last week and acquitted themselves extremely well in the National 7s Vase competition. Their first match was against the Wellington College 2nd VII squad which we just narrowly lost 14-7, with S Bourke scoring and J Blacknell converting. Wellington's 1st VII won the Rosslyn Park National 7s Cup so it shows just how strong their 2nd VII side would have been. Then a really tough game against the group winners Solihull School losing 45-19 with S Bourke once again on the score sheet scoring a hat-trick of tries. The final group match was on the main pitch at Rosslyn Park 7s and live streamed on YouTube. It was a fine 40-31 win against Wales's Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni with stand out tries by H Suter, S Bourke, C Stewart plus a number of others. This placed Shiplake 3rd in their (tough) group.
Special mention this season must go to J Lynskey (Captain of 7s) who was injured the day before the tournament, to J Cheetham who was injured a number of weeks before representing the Lambs U18 side and to H Suter who sustained a nasty knee injury in the final minutes of the match against Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni.
On the second day, the Under 16s got off to a flying start beating St Olave's Grammar School in their first group game. Tries from L Burwash, O Smaje and L Rouse Roberts. Second game was against Gresham's, two tries to one down at half time put some pressure on the Shiplake team, an early try in the second half got us back into the game. A lovely team try was scored with the ball being kept alive and tiring the Gresham's defence allowed the Shiplake team to score underneath the posts.
Some great handling from C Burnett and H Edwards allowed F Stewart to run down the wing beating two of the opposition to score a try in the corner. A lovely drop kick conversion was taken to add the lead to a well fought victory. Shiplake came out as group winners which meant they had to play an elimination game to get through to the second day. They came up against a physical and well drilled St Ambrose team from Lancashire. The boys looked tired and the opposition ran in a few tries before half time. Second half was started with a length of the pitch run from L Burwash who weaved in and out of the defense scoring under the posts. The boys sadly lost but a very good effort from all the Shiplake U16 7s team.
Football
First XI v Wellington (1-2)
Playing at Henley Town FC, this game was destined to be filled with high octane action from the off. Playing some exhilarating football, Shiplake were dominating in position and playing out the back with ease. However, a sloppy error lead to Wellington taking the lead before half time. Shiplake were soon coming back into the game when the Wellington CAM scored what was one of the best goals ever scored at the ground. An outside the box screamer into the top right corner with more bend on the ball than cornering at Silverstone!
Tragedy struck Shiplake when our star keeper, T Roussouw was injured with around 10 minutes to go. S Gillen stepped up to take on the role and performed two fantastic saves to keep the score line at 2-1 to Wellington.
Second XI v Wellington (0-2)
With a number of absences, getting a result from this match was always going to be a serious challenge. And so it proved to be the case. Shiplake started well but it was short-lived and the boys soon found themselves camped in their own half. As the game went on, Shiplake never regained any sort of rhythm that had been the hallmark of previous matches and they limped their way to a 2-0 defeat. Man of the match by a country mile was goalie H Palmer-Garrett who did a remarkable job keeping it to just 2-0.
Third XI vs Wellington (2-0)
The final game of the season was played out in a blaze of warm spring sunshine out on New Field, as the Fighting Thirds finished in style and swept to victory.
A knife-edge first half ended with Wellington scoring a scrappy goal as a result of a free-kick and rebound. Nevertheless, our heroes powered into the second half full of heart. With the inspirational Captain B Wallace and the impregnable T Sharp dominating at the back in performances worthy of their final matches, the Shiplake Red Terror began to turn the tide. C Fitzsimmons commanded the middle and L Pottier wielded his magic again to constantly put Wellington on the back-foot. A dangerous cross in found its way to last-minute draftee A Esslemont who instinctively stuck out a leg and got the crucial equaliser.
Then, with the Red Terror running forward again and again, the fairytale finish. In his last game for the College, who else but the peerless scoring-machine H Batchelor to battle through, keep his calm, and smash in the winning goal and make it 2-1!
And so with the final whistle sounding our heroes leapfrogged Wellington to finish third in the division and complete a fantastic season.
Well done to the Fighting Thirds. Well done to all those Year 13s who have played their final game for the College. It was wonderful to stand in the sunshine and see you all go out in a blaze of glory. It has been my pleasure and privilege to coach you all.
U15a v LVS (7-3)
An excellent first half saw Shiplake go into the break 5-0 up. Amongst the goals were W Jennings, F Hawkes and A Siveter, who managed to score a first half hat-trick. J Mcfarlene and I Hobden combined well in the centre of midfield, providing the forwards with plenty of chances.
U14a vs LVS (2-4)
A fantastic final game for the U14As. A combination of undeserving goals from LVS proved pivotal in the tie with the U14s finish the game (2-4) to LVS.
U13A vs LVS (1-5)
In a very balanced fixture, with Shiplake having more possession and playing arguably the better football, the side were unfortunate to lose. S Murray scored for Shiplake but we conceded 3 goals from corners, one going in directly. S Baker worked tirelessly up front, as did I Doherty, M Jobson and O Bailey at the back, with captain D Johnson-Greenwood distributing well in the mid-field. The squad know to take even more intent and belief into their final game.
Netball
As v Girl Rowers
On Tuesday afternoon, the Girl Rowers and the A Team Netball decided to have a friendly netball match on the Astro where many pupils and staff came to watch and give their support. The match was so much fun, complimented by the sunny weather! The rowers surprised everyone with their skill and proved to be a competitive and strong opposition, with fantastic shooting from M Oakes and S Maleham, who got player of the match for the rowing team. M Vickerman also stood out with her quick pace and control down the court, additionally, strong defence was seen from all players especially J Weir and C J Green. The netballers also played fantastically, with S Di Cuffa getting player of the match. The final score was 34-14 to the netballers, but spirit and determination from both teams was incredible and all would love another match soon!
Report by G Garner, Girls' Sport Captain
Inter-House Netball
The Inter-House Netball Tournament went really last Wednesday in the sunshine! There was a great atmosphere and spirit from all the girls and those on the sideline too. Miss Mordue has been really impressed with the girls, especially this term, with their netball skills and attitude. All girls got involved in the tournament, regardless of netball ability.
The final scores are below:
Welsh - first with 12 points
Burr - second with 10 points
Skipwith - third with 8 points
Orchard - fourth with 7 points
Everett - fifth with 4 points
(Everett played so well as they only had 7 players & only one netballer!)
Thank you to Miss Pye and Miss James for umpiring the turnament and for all that came to watch and support the girls.
.JPG/U12FootballSq(1)__500x500.JPG&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "HM's Team of the Term, Spring 2023")
