This week’s Sports Report features exciting tennis fixtures, our rowers' performance at the Poplar Regatta, and the latest results from on the cricket pitch.
TENNIS
vs Cranford School
One had expected a tidy little fixture; what one received was Cranford in something approaching festival mode, having brought along roughly twice the advertised number of players. For a moment, the situation teetered on the brink of farce, as pairs were reshuffled with all the calm efficiency of a butler reorganising the silver during an earthquake. Nevertheless, order, of a sort, was restored, and play commenced. Cranford’s girls, a spirited crew of Year 10s, acquitted themselves splendidly against our seasoned Year 12s and 13s, showing admirable composure and no little flair. They were, in a word, jolly good. Experience, however, told in the end. Our pairs steadied the ship and navigated matters to a comfortable 5–1 victory; achieved not without a touch of improvisation, but very much in style.
U15’s vs Leighton Park
On what was a sunny afternoon Shiplake were narrowly defeated by Leighton Park in this fast four format 8-10 on matches. Pupils from Year 9 and 10 enjoyed an afternoon of doubles games where creativity and accuracy made the difference between the two sides.
U14’s vs Cranford School
On an afternoon where the weather changed every 5 minutes Shiplake were much the stronger side being Cranford School 16-2 in matches. Pupils from Years 7-9 were involved and gave an opportunity to play with a different partner and to work on their positional gameplay on the court. There were some fantastic rallies throughout, and some serves that posed real quality. A fantastic display from all pupils involved.
U15’s vs The Oratory School
8 pupils from Year 10 came up against a very strong Oratory side, which saw a morning filled with long rallies and very tense break points. Despite The Oratory coming out on top it gave a chance for pupils to test their skillset against good opposition and to start reducing the number of unforced errors within their games. All did a fantastic job and deserved a restful weekend!
ROWING
Poplar Regatta, Royal Albert Dock
The J15 A and B crews competed strongly, with the A boat progressing to the final and finishing an excellent 5th overall. In the Open Senior Eights events, the girls’ 1st VIII finished 4th in their heat and the boys’ 1st VIII placed 3rd in theirs. Unfortunately, neither crew progressed to the final. There was some tough racing throughout the day which, in the lead-up to National Schools’ Regatta this weekend, will provide valuable preparation for the crews.
CRICKET
1st XI vs South Oxfordshire Armatures CC: Lost by 15 runs
U14 A Girls vs Cranford School: Won by 13 runs
U14 B vs Cranford Schol: Won by 66 runs
