Another exciting week of fixtures across Football, Netball and Rugby — packed with standout performances, dramatic turnarounds and plenty of inspirational spirit. A fantastic showcase of determination, teamwork and pride.
FOOTBALL
Boys’ 2nd XI vs Burnham Grammar School
(Wednesday 21 January) In our first league fixture of the season, the 2nd XI started well and for the first time this season, looked in control of the game. A slight tweak to the system, meant that we had more bodies in midfield and this helped us in transition. A wonderful free-kick, and two penalty kicks, gave Dillon Litchfield a hat-trick, complementing an earlier goal from Oscar Dix for his first in Shiplake colours. After a slow start to the season, the boys are now starting to click, and the excitement is beginning to build, as we turn our focus to Claremont Fan Court School, on Wednesday.
Scorers: Oscar Dix, Dillon Litchfield (x3)
MOTM: Dillon Litchfield
Shiplake College 4 - 1 Burnham Grammar School
Boys’ U15A vs Abingdon School
Bouncebackability! Our 15As showed their class and determination to shrug off Saturday’s disappointment putting in a stellar performance to beat a strong Abingdon side 3-1. We rode our luck in the first 10 minutes as Abingdon got off to a flyer. Thankfully we kept a clean sheet…. just! Following a wave of substitutes we grew into the game. Mellor and Sargent starting to pull the strings in midfield. From the resulting pressure Huckle was able to finish from close range after good work in the wide areas by Currie and Filippetto. Abingdon back came to equalise via a penalty from a mistimed tackle. In at half time 1-1 with all to play for.
We flew out of the blocks in the second half. Quality football and link up play down both wings, we always looked formidable. Our second goal should go down as a Shiplake Goal of the Season contender. Determination to win the ball back in midfield by Huckle gave us possession deep in our own half. A smart interchange of passes with Hotston, Keown and Currie set Webb free down the right. A lovely step over opened space for Roberts to ping a beautiful cross to the back post. Wonderful control on the chest by Sargent and on the swivel, hooking a volley back across goal into the top corner. Absolute Shiplake magic enjoyed by all the players and supporters. With momentum now on our side, we pressed again with fresh legs from the bench leading to our third goal. Filippetto finishing from close range after more excellent work down the right by Currie, Roberts and Waldegrave. Into the latter stages Abingdon pressed hard to get back into the game. The game became fast and physical. But we stood firm epitomised by the spirit, endeavour and composure on the ball from Dan Mellor. An outstanding player of the match performance. Also, a mention for Jack Prosser standing firm in goal with excellent hands, clearances and distribution from the back. In the end a well-deserved win taking us into the exeat weekend.
Shiplake College 3 - 1 Abingdon School
Boys’ U15B vs Abingdon School
After back-to-back wins to start the season, the U15B side suffered a heavy 7–1 defeat to Abingdon in a match shaped by costly mistakes, missed chances and too much space allowed in central midfield. Shiplake struggled to cope with Abingdon’s pace and movement from the outset - particularly in managing the defensive line. At times it sat too high, while on other occasions it failed to drop as a unit, allowing Abingdon to play through with ease and take the lead. Despite the early pressure, goalkeeper Ed Morgan was outstanding in the opening 20 minutes. Producing a series of excellent saves keeping Shiplake in the contest and preventing the scoreline from escalating. Shiplake’s equaliser came through a combination of good fortune and quality performance. A huge goal kick from Jonny Elston bounced awkwardly through the Abingdon defence, sending Eddie Hills clean through on goal. Eddie showed impressive composure, creating an angle before driving the ball across the goalkeeper to restore parity in fine style.
An unfortunate own goal soon handed Abingdon the lead again and sustained pressure followed. Just before half-time, with the score at 3–1, Shiplake missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit. Failing to convert a one-on-one and then the rebound - a moment that proved costly. While Harry Woodward led by example, covering every blade of grass, the standout performer for Shiplake was Jonny Elston, deservedly named man of the match. He epitomised effort and commitment, playing with relentless energy. Making powerful runs from defence into the opposition half and winning every 50–50 challenge. His performance set the standard and demonstrated exactly how the game should be approached, even in defeat. After three games, Jonny has rightly earned the responsibility of U15B captain. The second half saw Abingdon add four more goals, although Shiplake did have a penalty spared, well saved by Ed. The focus now turns to hard work on the training pitch as the team looks to respond positively in the next fixture.
Shiplake College 1 - 7 Abingdon School
Boys U14A vs Abingdon School
A frustrating afternoon for the U14A's on Wednesday suffering their first defeat of the season. The boys were under pressure early on from a strong Abingdon team. Joel Venner in goal made several good saves to keep us in the game in the first 10 minutes. Unfortunately, we did concede and without creating any meaningful opportunities ourselves, the half-time score was 0-1. Under pressure again in the second half and struggling to string passes together, we conceded two more goals. One from a mistake in defence and the other a quality finish from the Abingdon attacker. To our credit, the boys never gave up and continued to show good attitude despite the scoreline. Will Hargreaves pulled a goal back with a long-range effort – well deserved for our efforts in the second half. A shout to Will Arden on his return from injury and to Louis Ball who put in a good shift in midfield. The team will take many valuable lessons from this game as we prepare for our next fixture against St Benedict's on Saturday 31st January.
Shiplake College 1 - 3 Abingdon School
Boys’ U14B vs Abingdon School
On a wet and windy Wednesday afternoon, the Shiplake U14B boys took on Abingdon at home in what was their first real test of the season - and what a game it turned out to be. The boys started slowly and were punished after 11 minutes by a brilliant goal from Abingdon. This setback sparked life into the Shiplake side, who began to grow into the game. On the 20-minute mark, G. Leach brought us level with a well-taken goal. The match was played at a great pace, with a high level of skill on show from both teams. At half-time the score remained 1–1.
After a few words of encouragement and a change of shape, the boys started the second half strongly. With ten minutes left on the clock, Shiplake found themselves 3–1 up. Ethan English struck first with his trademark dribble and finish. Followed soon after by Felix Greenway, who scored a brilliant headed goal from a corner. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on. Abingdon showed real determination, scoring twice in the final five minutes to level the match. Player of the Match went to our goalkeeper, Timothy Jackson, for making a series of incredible saves proving brilliant on the day. In the end, a 3–3 draw was a fair result in an excellent and highly competitive game.
Shiplake College 3 - 3 Abingdon School
Girls’ U18A vs Maiden Erlegh Girls
In the girls first league game of the season, it was an exciting and close encounter on what was a very wet Thursday afternoon. The game started intensely with Shiplake girls scoring very early on to put them 1-0 up inside 5 minutes, although it did not take long for the equaliser to come through a headed corner. After some controlled possession Shiplake started to create chances and before the half time whistle found themselves 2-1 up with a composed finish. The game restarted with Shiplake creating plenty of chances and soon converted through a cross and volley at the back post. Unfortunately, Shiplake were unable to hold onto the lead and in the final 15 minutes conceded 2 late goals. A good start to the season!
Shiplake College 3 - 3 Maiden Erlegh Girls
NETBALL
1st VII vs Aldenham School (Sisters N Sport Trophy, Quarter Final)
We had a brilliant match on Tuesday against Aldenham school in the Quarter finals of Sisters N Sport. It was extremely tough, but the girls fought through. Huge congratulations to everyone on the team. Special well done to; player of the match – Abi O’Shea, coaches' player - Alice Godfrey and players player- Saachi Bhambra. A massive well done and can now say that we are through to the semi-finals and in the top 4 schools in the south of the country!
Shiplake 44 – 25 Aldenham School
Report: M. Mundy, Captain of Netball
3rd VII vs The Oratory School
On Wednesday, Shiplake 3rd VII played The Oratory in a closely fought match. Shiplake made a strong start, leading 4–3 after the first quarter. Extending the advantage to 7–5 by half time through confident attacking play and solid defence. The Oratory responded in the third quarter to take a narrow 10–9 lead, setting up an intense final quarter. Shiplake showed great determination and teamwork to draw the game level, with the match finishing 14–14. It was an exciting and competitive game throughout, well done everyone!
Player of the match: Chloe Thomas, Players player: Amelie Wilson
Shiplake College 14 – 14 The Oratory School
RUGBY
U13A’s vs Leighton Park
Leighton Park started much the stronger in this home fixture for Shiplake. They had a lot of pace and moved the ball well. Exposing weaknesses in Shiplake’s defensive structure, scoring 4 tries to nil in the first half. Captain Jamie Pattinson-Smith continued to lead from the front and Shiplake shifted momentum, working back into the game in the second half. It was soon 5 tries each, with Jamie scoring another 4 of these, often linking well with Zack Field, and Oscar Partridge adding a fifth from close range. Lucas Emmett ran strongly once again, as did Ali Curran and T. Yglesia. Bodhi Gyoker was fearless in attack and defence, as was the birthday boy Fin Currie. Charlie Hodgson showed his footwork with some fine runs on the wing and when he moved to scrum half.
Shiplake 25 - 35 Leighton Park
U12A’s vs Leighton Park
A strong performance from the U12A’s. Within a few minutes we were 15-0 up and it was clear we were much stronger than the opposition. After another three tries and an opposition injury, we gave them a couple of our strongest players level things out. This led to a more balanced game, but we were still comfortably stronger. What was most noticeable was how much our game had developed from last week. We were passing much more, rucking more effectively, and trying to offload out of the tackle. All of this was great to see. A really encouraging day - and particular praise to Max and Raff for playing so well for 3/4s of the game for Leighton Park.
Shiplake 50 - 15 Leighton Park
U12B’s vs St Gabriels
Rugby was very much the winner in the St Gabriels vs Shiplake match, with both teams evenly matched and at a similar level of contact experience. Shiplake began the stronger of the two sides, playing with confidence and taking early control of the game. However, aided by a couple of questionable refereeing decisions, St Gabriels worked their way back into the contest, and both teams settled into what became a highly competitive and enjoyable fixture. The final score of six tries each felt like a fair reflection of the match and highlighted just how positive the game was for everyone involved. Standout performers included William Marrison for his powerful running, Thomas Sales for his fancy footwork and ability to beat multiple defenders, and J. Scofield, who showed real promise as a rough diamond.
Shiplake 30 - 30 St Gabriels
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