Lots of fixtures and sports in action this week as we catch up on the many positive results from around the grounds and pitches. In Rugby, there was a clean sweep of wins for our boys while our senior boys and girls progressed to the next round of their respective football and netball cup tournaments.
Football
Boys’ 1st XI vs Gosford Hill School
A great way to start the footballing season for the 1st XI with a very confident win over Gosford Hill School in the first round of the County Cup. After a very even first ten minutes of the game, Shiplake gradually grew into the game dominating possession and finding success down the flanks, which soon resulted in Shiplake opening the scoring with a good finish from T Williams. Soon after, however, a few loose passes resulted in Gosford able to get clear through the defence to make it 1-1. Straight from kick off Shiplake regained the lead with a similar ball through from C Nash-Steer and finish from T Williams giving Shiplake the lead. Shiplake were then able to grab another goal right before the half time whistle. The game made a very even but slow start to the second half before the dominance of Shiplake came through with three well worked goals towards the final ten minutes of the game. That allowed Z Sanders to come off the bench and score two goals before T Williams was able to chip the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick.
Final score: Shiplake College 6-1 Gosford Hill School
Boys' U13Bs vs St Gabriel’s
Lots of effort and standout performances from J Day and A Woodrow. We were also treated to a thunderbolt finish from J Fox. With plenty of positives to take to are next league fixture.
Boys' U12Bs vs Pangbourne
It was a game of two halves on a windy afternoon at Phillimore Fields. In the first half, Pangbourne were dominant in possession and created a multitude of chances, hitting the post and eventually scoring before half time to take the early lead. In the second half, Shiplake rallied and reorganised. S Terry was outstanding in defence throughout, and the forwards had more time on the ball. E Jones broke free on the left wing to level the scores and S Blewitt took the second. As Pangbourne pushed forward to equalise, gaps opened up at the back to allow J Edwards to score two well taken goals before the final whistle. A highly impressive show of spirit and determination from the team.
Hockey
U18As vs Claires Court
We kicked off the season really well winning 2-0 against Claires Court. We had a tough game as they had a strong team but in the first half, we started strong and showed we wanted to win. Claires Court showed that they wanted to have a comeback and score a goal, but the girls stayed determined to keep them from doing so. The Year 12s showed more and more confidence in playing during the game and we are all unbelievably proud of everyone in the team and hope to keep it up for the rest of the season.
Report: T Nicholson, Girls’ Hockey Captain
U18Bs vs LVS
The girls played amazingly well and had some strong passages of play especially down the left-hand side of the pitch. We had 18 players who wanted to play and represent the College, and it was so lovely to see them all working hard for each other. S Reed made some great tackles and kept her composure allowing for great distribution to B Thomson and F Fisher. T Pendlebury was solid as centre back and gaols came from B Thompson, C Thomas and T Bignall and P Clarke. This great score line gives great encouragement to the squad for the next match.
Netball
1st VII vs Reddam House
We played against Reddam House securing a win of 36-16. Each player performed extremely well, and it was a good start to the season. Winning this means that we are now through to the next round of the cup and looking forward to continuing. Well done to player of the match – A O’Shea, Players’ Player – H Moss, and Coach’s Player – A Richardson.
Report: M Mundy, Girls’ Netball Captain
Additionally, there was a match for our Year 7 girls despite it not being their netball season. After a couple of training sessions, the girls then played The Marist School in a friendly. While they weren't triumphant, they demonstrated determination in abundance. Player of the Match went to P Crauford.
Rugby
1st XV vs Windsor Boys
A six-try haul that featured O Woodward's excellent first try of the season as the pick of the bunch, but he was joined on the scoresheet by F Holgate on debut, O Perkins, F Partridge and E Jones along with a first score of his 1st XV career for F Fisher who stood out as Man of the Match. Windsor kept fighting and grabbed two late scores to flatter the scoreline, but the quality shined through and with the engines of L Hunt-Davis, A Mullens, E Jones, E Fulton and W Tavinor dominating play, the result was never in doubt. A shout out to Captain A Mullens who was a perfect six from six off the tee and Vice-Captain F Partridge whose physical presence kept us moving forward for much of the game.
Final score: Shiplake College 42-21 Windsor Boys
U16A vs Windsor Boys
The game started at a ferocious speed and some great defence by both teams plus some handling errors turned the first half into an arm wrestle by both forward packs. Shiplake were guilty of not protecting the ball when it was on the ground and were coughing up possession to easily. The half finished 0-0.
The boys were asked to be more physical at the breakdown and to start protecting our ball. They listened and within five minutes of the second half, after going through a few phases which created panic in Windsor’s defence, E Tavinor sliced through the defence and scored a beautiful try under the posts after beating four defenders. Buoyed by this, Shiplake continued to push and were rewarded again. A beautiful cross field kick by E Tavinor found O Spearing who jinked his way past the fullback and went under the poles. Now the boys were on a roll and created panic by being more physical in attack and defence. This led to another mistake which B Maskell pounced upon and scored our third try. E Tavinor was perfect off the kicking tee, and the conversion went over and the boys had a 21-0 lead. Fair play to Windsor who never gave up and scored two tries in the last 10 minutes, but the Shiplake boys showed incredible resilience and character to come out on top in a really tough physical battle. It was a very pleasing performance from all 22 of our players.
Final score: Shiplake College 21-12 Windsor Boys
U15A vs Windsor Boys
A game of contrasting styles with Shiplake putting width on the ball and Windsor scoring three tries from mauling after penalty kicks to the corner. Shiplake started hesitantly but settled in the first half with tries from G Silver, G Huckle and F Jenkins. Windsor came back to make it a close game but further tries from G Huckle and F Jenkins sealed the win. Four conversions were kicked by E Hills and there were fine performances from W Wackerle who carried well and also J Prosser.
Final score: Shiplake College 33-25 Windsor Boys
U15B vs Windsor Boys
A very emphatic and improved performance from the U15Bs whose improved shape and confidence in the ruck provided a huge stepping stone for this convincing win. The boys got off to a really strong start with some brilliant kicking by H Perkins meaning Windsor played most of the game inside their 22. Some impressive running lines and quick handling made it easy for Shiplake to score three consecutive tries. A high kick from Windsor that was allowed to bounce three or four times meant Windsor pulled one back, but with our rigid defensive line and quick hands, this enabled us to dominate and stretch the score out even more.
A special mention to H Durkan who made all seven conversions, to J Filippetto who scored three tries and to I Roberts who was a constant presence both in and out of possession.
Final score: Shiplake College 49-7 Windsor Boys
U14A vs Windsor Boys
Another very strong performance by Shiplake. Right from the start, we dominated possession playing with excellent shape and physicality. Despite this dominance, handling errors meant that it was still 0-0 at half time. In the second half, we played a bit wider, offloaded more, and were more accurate and as a result reaped the rewards, scoring four excellent tries. A good game, and a very pleasing team performance.
Final score: Shiplake College 24-0 Windsor Boys
U14B vs Windsor Boys
A compelling performance from the boys this morning with training focuses coming into play. The boys focused on their go forward in attack and used their structure more successfully with forwards and backs working together to create shape, allowing for overlaps for tries. Tries came in from H Benton, two from W Hargreaves and two from C Deering in the forwards, powering over the line showing their strength. The backs engineered tries showing skill in their passing from T Jackson and H Fielder, with conversions from O Laventure and A Humphreys.
Final score: Shiplake College 39-19 Windsor Boys
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