In this week's Sports Report, we catch up on the latest round of fixtures which featured rugby against Henley College, Piggott School and Oratory Prep; while our girls' hockey team continued their preparations for Monday Night Lights by facing Holyport College. Meanwhile, the College's U18 basketball team started their season and in football, our U15A boys produced a stunning comeback in their cup match!
Boys' U15A Football vs Westminster School
A tough start to the match resulted in us going down 1-0 just before half time. However, we regrouped well after the break and a few changes gave fresh energy to the team. But, despite starting brightly, we conceded two more goals in quick succession to go 0-3 down with just 15 minutes to go.
However, a good run from J Chamberlain, who then found C Kirkwood in the box, led to our first goal of the game. Was the comeback on? We then pressed forward, with F Calley and C Nash-Steer pulling the strings in the middle of the park. This possession led to two more chances, both of which C Kirkwood finished brilliantly. This then took the game into extra time, and all the momentum led to a last-minute goal from E Jones to send us through to the next round. An excellent team performance and a very spirited comeback. Man of the match was C Kirkwood.
HT: 0-1. FT: 3-3. ET: 4-3 (Shiplake win and through to the QFs)
Report: A Mullens (Captain)
Coach: Mr D Miller
U18A Basketball v The Oratory
Final score: Shiplake College 39-43 The Oratory School
Coach: Mr D Bradley
Girls' Hockey vs Holyport College
On Wednesday 23 November, the girls played their league match against Holyport in a tough, yet one of our best, games thus far. After being pelted by rain and hail, Shiplake started the match strongly with E Browne and O Parkin combining to score the first goal within 30 seconds. The game continued with most of the play taking place in the Shiplake end of the pitch. A positive defence was seen from E Young and C Wathey, continuously overturning the ball and sending it back down towards our attacking end.
After a great shot at goal from the opposition, the match was level at 1-1 at half time. Shiplake's second goal was scored by E Browne 5 minutes into the second half. Despite great resistance from the Shiplake defence, a piece of strong play from the opposition led to Holyport levelling the match at 2-2.
Shiplake finished the match with a draw of 2-2 with player of the match going to G Bradbury and players' player going to E Young and E Browne. R Pendlebury also received coach's player. A fantastic game with only two more matches left in the league for this hockey season.
Report: R Allen, Girls' Sport Captain
Coach: Mrs C Lovelock
Rugby
1st XV v The Henley College
As the 1st XV continue to build towards our Friday Night Lights fixture at the end of this term, we were very grateful for the opportunity to play against a strong, and well drilled Henley College squad. From the start of the game, it was clear that the opposition team had impressive distribution skills in their back line, and, by utilising the wide pitch and an effective kicking strategy, they were to convert this into points in the first half. Shiplake attacked well and defended well, but Henley enjoyed most of the possession in the first part of the game and went into the half ahead.
After the half time break, the balance swung more in Shiplake’s favour. We were able to utilise our attacking strategy and execute effective play off the set piece, in particular. While the forwards built strong attacking platforms, the backs were able to make good territorial gain with C Burnett distributing well and both Macleod brothers running effectively with the ball in hand, breaking the gain line on several occasions. In the pack, talisman C Moss was excellent with the ball in hand and very effective in defense, too, especially at the lineout. It was fantastic that the final word went to Shiplake with an excellent and very well worked forwards’ try, coming from sustained pressure and the ability to put together several successive attacking phases.
A great game, despite the result, and another useful experience along the road to FNL. Well done to Henley College for the victory and our thanks for the fixture.
Final score: Shiplake College 5-24 Henley College
Coaches: Mr S Beckett and Mr T Armstrong
2nd XV v Piggott School
In the match against Piggott School, the 2nd XV were missing quite a few of our crucial players, and an injury to our fullback early in the match made it even more difficult. The lads struggled to fight against a very well drilled opposition, however we did not give up and although the loss, we left the game in good spirits. Hopefully, we will be back to winning ways in our next match. Final score: Shiplake College 0-58 Piggott School
Report: N Scotchbrook
Coaches: Mr W Nel and Mr J Wheeler
U13A v Oratory Prep
The longer the season goes on, the larger the opposition seems to get. Well, it certainly seems that way! We came up against a well-drilled and very physical Oratory Prep team and were delighted to be able to hold our own in most aspects. Our rucking and speed to the breakdown were impressive and our backs kept possession effectively. Where we lacked efficiency was in allowing the opposition too much time and space on the ball; we were slow to press, defensively. O Spearing and debutant D Siddiqui made ground in midfield, while B Oliver and E Grubb continued their dynamic partnership in the pack and the Thomas-Calow duo at half back continues to work well.
Despite our best efforts, we conceded three tries and were unable to score one of our own.
Coach: Mr N Brown
U13B v Oratory Prep
This was very much a game of two halves. Shiplake started brightly, with A Massie going over for an early try (the first of two for him), and this was followed by further scores for R Elms and A Bowater-Rubio. However, the half-time score line (4-0 to Shiplake) was not representative of the match, and it was clear that the boys were struggling at the breakdown, getting easily turned over in the ruck, and spilling the ball forward in the tackle. In the second half, with the wind and slope against us, we started to unravel, missing tackles and making too many errors. With 15 seconds to go, Shiplake conceded the equalising try. Then, from the restart, a series of errors allowed The Oratory to score the winner, leaving the final score 5-4 to the Oratory Prep.
Plenty of lessons to be learned going forward, and a reminder that if you fail to do the simple things, you will ultimately be found out.
Coach: Mr J Ralph
