In a week packed with sports fixture, our U14s travelled to The Oratory for a basketball clash while our girls' hockey team claimed their first win of the season ahead of their big Monday Night Lights event. Meanwhile, there were block fixtures against Magdalen College with the U14s-U18s playing over the weekend, before our U12s and U13s played on Monday 5 December.
U14 Basketball vs The Oratory
The U14 basketball team travelled to The Oratory School during the last week of November with a depleted squad due to injury and illness which left us with only 6 players (1 sub). When we arrived, the team knew it would be a difficult game with the opposition having 10 players allowing for a full team rotation.
The team came out really strong in the first quarter scoring 19 points to 0. Fatigue began to set in during the second quarter due to the lack of substitutes but intelligent 'keep ball' play allowed us to keep control of the game and we went into the half-time interval 0-28 up. The third and fourth quarter was where fatigue really began to show with us scoring an extra 4 and 6 points respectively but thanks to some fantastic defending, we managed to deny The Oratory until right at the end when they did manage to get a consolation 2 pointer ending the game 2-38.
A massive well done to the following players:
- J Henshall (player of the match) - 4 points
- K O'Connor - 14 points
- J Satterly - 12 points
- E Gierakowski - 4 points
- M Shevlane - 4 points
- S Bailey - Tackler of the game
Coach: Mr B Gingell
Girls' Hockey v Claire’s Court
On Wednesday 30 November, the Shiplake girls played Claire’s Court. The girls went into the game with enthusiasm and high spirits, coming off the back of a week of strong training. The team started well scoring their first goal after 10 minutes with E Browne pushing forward and planting the ball in the back of the goal. Claire’s Court had a powerful short corner which led them to score a goal but the Shiplake spirits would not be dampened. With some excellent defence from M Berry, C Watthey and E Young, Shiplake managed to protect their goal. Shiplake then got their second goal, scored by R Pendlebury after some great work in our attacking end. With some impressive play from O Parkin and some great saves from R Allen in goal, Shiplake won their first game 4-3 after two short corner goals from E Browne.
Well done to O Parkin who received player of the match and R Pendlebury who received players' player and to E Browne who received coach's player of the match. This recent play has given the girls great ammunition and determination going into Monday Night Lights.
Report: E Browne, Girls' Hockey Captain
Coach: Mrs C Lovelock
Rugby
1st XV v Magdalen College
Final score: Shiplake College 15-17 Magdalen College
2nd XV v Magdalen College
As the 2nd XV approach the end of their season, we departed for Magdalen College following two previous losses against well-drilled sides. While many of us were aware that we fell short of our typical player quality, we did not let this get the better of us and kicked off with high hopes for a competitive fixture.
Immediately, we were put on the back foot, which has become a common factor that we encounter as of late with an early try scored by a breakaway. Despite this, we pushed and eventually hit back with M Gardiner baiting the defence before diving over the line putting Shiplake and Magdalen equal on points. The Shiplake defence held strong, with players such as M Walker and P White making hard tackles against Magdalen's big hitters. Magdalen, catching us off guard, broke through our line under the posts to put the score 12-5.
Once again, M Gardiner broke through the line in what was an incredible try of initiative. Just as Shiplake was getting into their stride, elements of injury and persistent hard runs from Magdalen's forwards broke Shiplake down and saw them score two successive tries to make it 24-10, sealing the match. Although this was a tough loss to take, we look forward to battling Pangbourne in our season finale and ending on a high note.
Report: Z Morrison
Coaches: Mr W Nel and Mr J Wheeler
U16A v Magdalen College
Final score: Shiplake College 27-26 Magdalen College
Coaches: Mr A Dix and Mr D Miller
U15A v Magdalen College
A cold trip to Oxford saw the injury depleted and illness struck U15As struggle to find their rhythm against a well-drilled Magdalen College side. A few strong individual performances were not enough to overcome a tough ask on Saturday. Some positives to take away were the ball carrying and rucking from the forwards and a couple of moments of magic in the centres, but a lacklustre tackling performance left the U15As chasing shadows at times as they coughed and spluttered their way to the full-time whistle. A day of grit and resilience even if the result didn't go their way. Final score: Shiplake 0-40 Magdalen College
Coaches: Mr R Edwards and Mr D Bradley
U15B v Magdalen College
Saturday morning saw the Shiplake U15B team head over to Magdalen College School for the penultimate fixture of the rugby season. The team turned up with a positive mindset towards the game after an impressive week's training. The game started in a competitive fashion as expected, and Shiplake took an early lead through B Demery, which was converted by C Nash-Steer.
The game evolved into a high scoring, incredible attacking display from both sides. The game saw tries from B Demery (x2), C Nash-Steer (x3) and J Chamberlain and E Iu. On top of C Nash-Steer’s hat-trick, he also converted 7/7 kicks which helped get the boys over the line. A 49-31 win is a great way to head into the final game of the season against Pangbourne.
Coaches: Mr K Heaney and Mr J Burgess
U14A v Magdalen College
Final score: Shiplake College 24-19 Magdalen College
Coaches: Mr R Curtis and Mr J Cooper
U14B v Magdalen College
Due to illness on the day, the U14B had a very depleted pack and multiple backs stepped up to play in the forward line. Unfortunately, with so many players out, it was one of those games where it was too much of an uphill battle. Regardless, the team battled all the way until the final whistle with the score line ending 26-49. Tries from H Taphouse (x2) and J Hills. M Jobson with the conversion.
Coaches: Mr P Jones and Mr B Gingell
U12A v Magdalen College
The Under 12A started their final week of rugby with an away match at Magdalen College in which they narrowly lost 6-4. The team was a little slow to start, going three tries down quickly but despite not having much territory, they certainly did not look that much weaker than Magdalen College. With some really hard work and determination, two quick-fire tries put Shiplake back in contention at half time. The focus for the second half was to keep it tight and maintain the physicality that we had produced in the first half. This seemed to really pay off as we moved within a try of Magdalen but in the final five minutes, they scored a couple of answered tries to finish the game as the winners.
This has set the team up well for Friday and we are so excited to play in Friday Night Lights.
Try Scorers: F Jenkins (x2), J Filepetto, L Ellison
Coach: Mr T Crisford
U12B v Magdalen College
The last game of the season was played against a strong Magdalen College squad. The dream of finishing the season with a hat-trick of wins quickly evaporated as Magdalen put some slick moves together to outflank the Shiplake defence several times. To the boys' credit, they didn't let their heads go down and competed throughout the match. As the score steadily increased, it became clear that we were really missing some of our influential players like O Houldsworth, T Lane and M Lane. The performance improved in the second half with O Methven making many strong runs, but the Magdalen defence was too strong and well organised. The score finished 16-0, but the talk afterwards was about how the boys represented the school proudly and never gave up.
These boys have come a long way, since the start of the year, and have now experienced the type of rugby they need to aspire towards for next year.
Coach: Mr A Davis
