It's an action-packed Sports Report today as we catch up on the action from the previous week! In rugby, there were block fixtures against London Oratory School, while our junior and senior hockey girls got their seasons underway. And out on the football pitch, there were fixtures for our senior girls, and junior boys.
Hockey
U18s vs Gordon’s School
The 1st XI had a fantastic first game together, winning 9-0 against Gordon’s School. The girls played amazingly together, especially for the first match of the season. The first half, 6-0 up, we all showed that we wanted to win this game from the first push-back. Coming into the second half, it was obvious that Gordon’s wanted to have a comeback, but we saw this as an opportunity to fight back harder to get our overall score of 9-0. Player of the Match went to A Godfrey, Players’ Player to C Brown and Coach’s Player to A O’Shea. It was amazing to see how well we all played together.
There was also a strong 1-0 win for the 2nd XI – their first ever win! This all bodes well for a strong season ahead and boasts the strength of all our hockey girls. Player of the Match for the 2nds went to B Thompson.
Report: T Nicholson (Girls’ Hockey Captain)
Junior Girls vs Sherfield
In their first ever hockey matches representing Shiplake College, our Year 7 girls’ teams both played brilliantly to record strong wins against Sherfield School. The A team won 3-0 with goals coming from G Perkins, F Nicholson, and D Richards. Players of the Match went to D Richards and F Nicholson; Coach’s Player went to G Perkins. The B team won 2-0 with both goals coming from S Verano Luri, who was also Coach’s Player. Player of the Match went to L Amos Yeo.
Our Year 9 girls were also in action earlier during the week, also facing Sherfield. The A team won 4-0, while the B team narrowly lost 1-0.
Rugby
1st XV vs London Oratory
The game started quickly with London Oratory setting out their gameplan early – a big battering ram forwards and a driving maul with a crash ball 12 to complement the pack. They scored first after their physicality went unmatched. After that shock, the Shiplake boys took it upon themselves to not just match London Oratory physically, but to start dominating them. This, combined with our superior skillset, led to some dominant play from F Partridge, W Tavinor and E Fulton. M Taylor-Fitzgibbon and S Baker offered outstanding defence out wide, and A Mullens kept the scoreboard ticking over with three great penalty kicks all from about 45 meters out. Two tries from F Partridge and H French saw a 21 to 10 lead and the game looked over. London Oratory fought back however, and their battering ram style began to take its toll. The boys held their ground and managed to finish the game clearing London Oratory from the 5-meter line six times in the last 10 minutes. The headmaster asked for grit this year - that last 10 minutes was nothing but grit. Man of the Match went to W Tavinor.
Final score: Shiplake 21-17 London Oratory
2nd XV vs London Oratory
Another gutsy performance by the 2nds despite the scoreline. The forwards fronted up well against a much larger pack, many of whom were Year 13 with experience of 1st team rugby.
Whilst we matched them physically, we played into their hands by carrying straight into the heart of their pack and were frequently turned over. The backs looked dangerous when they had the possession, particularly when moving the ball wide. Some good defensive pressure led to a loose ball which was picked up and worked wide for O Dix to score his first try for Shiplake. Lots for us to build on as we look ahead to this week’s training.
Final score: Shiplake 5-33 London Oratory
U16s vs London Oratory
Two quick tries from O Spearing and B Oliver, both converted by J Calow, followed by a try from B Lee and an unbelievable try saving tackle from B Lee left Shiplake leading 21 - 7 at half time. O Further tries from Spearing and a third for B Oliver resulted in a big win for the 16s.
Final score: Shiplake 40-14 London Oratory
U15As vs London Oratory
Facing London Oratory’s “strongest year group”, Shiplake were very much rattled, conceding three converted tries early on in the first half and were down 28-0 by half time. Shiplake had started to match them physically and with a much better second half, there converted tries from O Adcock and J Elston, both from a ‘training ground move’. Shiplake had their fair share of possession, but Oratory’s defence was very strong. B Dean work hard and carried well, J Prosser work tirelessly again, and there were fine performances from G Silver and Z Hashemi.
Final score: Shiplake 14-47 London Oratory
U15Bs vs London Oratory
Our Shiplake U15B boys came up against a very strong and physical London Oratory side today that were deservedly the winning team. Within the first five minutes, Shiplake found themselves two tries down, but with some restructuring and better communication, the boys started to grow into the game. A few handling errors made halt to what was a good 10-minute try-less spell from Shiplake. Before half time, London Oratory managed to go over once more before a brilliant interception from J Filippetto allowed him to score in the corner from in his own half.
The second half restarted and unfortunately it was Oratory who made the better start, scoring two quick tries again. However, this seemed to ignite a spark for Shiplake who ended the game with a well worked try scored by A Palmer.
Final score: Shiplake 14-38 London Oratory
U14As vs London Oratory
Another convincing victory for Shiplake. We dominated the forwards’ exchanges, carried hard, rucked aggressively, and were tenacious in the tackle. Particular praise to F Ferens who had a huge game. The backs also played their part - running good lines, showing pace, and were tenacious in played with excellent shape stringing multiple phases together. C Healey also kicked superbly off the tee.
Ironically, perhaps the most impressive part was the boys’ self-organisation. Without any staff involvement or even prompting, they got themselves organised into a focused, slick warm up, As and Bs all together, new joiners and ex Lower School indistinguishable - both inclusive and inspirational. This set the tone for two dominant wins.
Final score: Shiplake 57-5 London Oratory
U14B vs London Oratory
Two quick tries from the opposition put us on the back foot. But Shiplake rallied well and a tight first half tussle ensued. Two trademark line breaks from C Deering put us level at half time. The second half was a different picture - we competed well at the breakdown, scrummaged well and our tackles stopped their strong runners in their tracks. Tries from A Pearce, W Hargreaves and L Hathaway, and four conversions from O Laventure secured the win. A good team performance.
Final score: Shiplake 43-15 London Oratory
Football
Girls’ 1st XI vs St Benedict’s School
Shiplake are into the next round of the U18 National Cup with a brilliant 5-1 win against St Benedict’s School. T Nicholson scored an impressive hat-trick, while K Pittman and M Mundy (from the penally spot) added to the other goals. The team showed great possession throughout the game, with the new Year 12s impressing the squad and fitting in well. Well done to Player of the Match: A Godfrey, Players’ Player: B Thompson, and Coach’s Player: T Nicholson. With such a strong squad this season, we’re excited to see what we can do for the rest of the season.
Report: S Bhambra
Lower School Boys vs Moulsford
Our Lower School boys got their season underway with fixtures against Moulsford. Four teams were in action, and it was great to see so much support up on Phillimore! The 13As drew 2-2, the 13Bs lost 6-2, the 12As drew 2-2, and the 12Bs won 4-1.
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