Sports Report 12 May 2026

12 May 2026

The Summer Term is truly underway and with it the cricket, tennis and rowing seasons continue - the football season eventually came to a close with the final of the Oxfordshire U18s Cup final and we also enjoyed the Inter-House Cross-Country race.

Inter-House Cross-Country

Friday 1 May saw the Inter-House Cross Country competition, with all pupils in the school taking part to help their Houses compete for the coveted Baldry Trophy.

Year 7

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 8

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 9

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 10

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 11

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 12

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Year 13

Boys	House	Girls	House
1st:		1st:
2nd:		2nd:
3rd:		3rd:

Overall Standings

Position	House
1st:
2nd:
3rd:
4th
5th

Tennis

Vs St Edward's Oxford

On Thursday 30 April, Shiplake met St Edward’s Oxford, in a senior doubles encounter that quickly abandoned all notions of brevity or calm. The opening round - snatched 2–1 by St Edward’s - ran so long that the grand plan of three matches was quietly shelved. Everything therefore hinged on the second round, where Shiplake stood 2–0 up, leaving S Murray and M Crane to decide the matter. What followed was a spectacle of jangling nerves and adventurous double faults. Match points came and went like unreliable buses: Murray saved one he had helped concede, then contrived to double fault on his own; Crane did likewise, each side refusing, with admirable stubbornness, to clinch matters cleanly. At last, with tension positively humming, the St Edward’s pair obligingly double faulted on their final match point, handing Shiplake a scarcely believable 5–4 victory.

Meanwhile, Z Fisher and W Griffith played their part, edging a tight tie-break against the St Edward’s first pair - proof that, on this most theatrical of afternoons, composure was a rare and precious commodity.

1st Team vs The Oratory and Leighton Park

On Wednesday 6 May, Shiplake Tennis 1st Team, Z Fisher (Year 12), A Humphreys (Year 9), R Davis (Year 12) and P Brown (Year 9), played against Leighton Park School and The Oratory School 1st Teams in a round robin singles tournament. Everyone played two matches against their respective seeds - resulting in a draw between Shiplake College and Leighton Park. In a deciding doubles tiebreak (played by 1st & 2nd seeds (Fisher and Humphreys), Leighton Park came out with the win 10-7. Everyone played brilliantly - thank you Mr Alejandro for taking us!

Z Fisher: Won 6-1 & Lost 5-7
A Humphreys: Won: 6-0 & Won: 6-4
R Davis: Won: 6-2 & Lost 2-6
P Brown: Won 6-0 & Won 6-2

Tiebreak (Shiplake vs Leighton Park): Lost 10-7

Match report by Z Fisher

Football

1st XI 1-2 vs Oakham School (Society of Heads National Final)

Shiplake 1st XI unfortunately were on the wrong end of the scoreline in a tight and competitive game of football.

It was a very even start on a sunny but windy Harborough Town football pitch. Both teams struggled to grasp possession and was plagued by some loose passes and first touches. It brought about a few shots but they were wayward and not troubling either keeper. Although, about 30 minutes into the first half Oakham were rewarded a penalty, which was converted, giving Oakham the lead. However, this goal brought Shiplake into life, and the players started moving the ball around with intensity and accuracy, but unfortunately Shiplake were unable to make that final pass or finish at goal.

The second half restarted and it was Shiplake who were in control of the ball but were unable to create a clear cut opportunity at goal. C Zhou came close after driving into the box and forcing a low save from the keeper and a deflected shot from R O'Boyle almost found it's way over the line. Shiplake then got the equaliser through a D Johnson-Greenwood corner finding its way to S Lingard who bundled the ball home. Although, heartbreak soon came as Oakham managed to find some gaps between the defence and midfield to leave a 3vs2 that was punished when the ball went into the near post from 14 yards out. Shiplake responded well and upped the intensity and could have easily been awarded a penalty late on when D Johnson-Greenwood went over the outstretched foot of the Oakham defender.

A gritty and determined team performance from Shiplake who unfortunately came out second best in the Society of Heads National Final. But can use this as fuel when they play the Oxfordshire County Cup Final next week.

1st XI vs Abingdon School

In this Oxfordshire County Cup Final, after a 0-0 half time, unfortunately Shiplake lost 0-3 in the end. A fantastic achievement reaching the final of this county competition.

Rowing

Chiswick Regatta

Congratulations to P Peterson, A De Felice, F Armstrong, A Mertes and L Jones from the J14 A boat, who achieved an excellent first place in the Coxed Quads competition at Chiswick Regatta on Saturday. The crew began their campaign strongly by winning their quarter-final race, progressing to face Shiplake School’s B boat in a closely fought semi-final. Showing great composure and determination, they secured a narrow victory to reach the final, where they went on to deliver a convincing win against Emanuel School to take the title.

The Girls’ J14 C boat and the Boys’ J14s Octo were also racing on the day, gaining valuable experience on the water. It is fantastic to see so many Year 9 pupils enjoying their rowing and continuing to develop their skills in a competitive environment. Well done to all involved on an impressive performance at Chiswick Regatta.

Bedford Regatta

The Girls J14 A, B and C quads had a great start, all winning their first races. The C boat lost their second race, whilst the B boat progressed to the final and beat Norwich School to win the 2nd Boat J14 Coxed Quad event. Well done to M Budnyk (cox), L Hourd, M Lowe, F Farrell and A May. The A boat won their semi-final to then meet Wimbledon High in the final which they also won, claiming the 1st Boat J14 Coxed Quad event title. The Boys J14 A quad won their first race against Abingdon School, but were beaten by the eventual winners St Paul's in the semi-final. In turn, the B quad were beaten by Abingdon in their first round. The afternoon saw the J14s switch to octuples, with the Boys' crew losing to St Paul's in the first round, the Girls B boat lost to eventual winners Lady Eleanor Holles A boat and the Girls A boat also losing to Lady Eleanor Holles.

Meanwhile the J15 Boys saw their 1st boat win their first race in the Eights category, to be beaten by Abingdon in the semi-finals, whilst the 2nd boat lost out to Radley College in the first round. In the afternoon the J15 A quad beat Norwich in their first round, then Bedford in the semi-finals and then in a thrilling final, came from behind to row through Abingdon School and win by a 'bowball' to claim victory. Well done to T Lane (cox), W Wackerle, G Dallas, M Buchner and O Houldsworth.

Nottingham City Regatta

At this multi-lane racing event in Nottingham, the Boys 1st Eight won the Open event, having got the fastest time in the time trials. The Boys 2nd Eight came fourth in the same race, despite having come second in the time trials. The Boys 3rd Eight missed out on the same A Final by coming 7th in the time trials, but won their B Final race.

In the Women's time trials, the Girls 1st Eight was fastest of the day, with the 2nd Eight coming 5th, both progressing to the A Final. The 1st Eight went on to win the event, with the 2nd Eight improving on their previous position to come fourth overall.