Final Netball Match by Meg Barron-Cutts

Motivated by the cricket and tennis teams win, we were determined to follow by their example.

During the first quarter we managed a score of 5/3, our attack, Libby Harman, Beth Jones, Alice White and Sophie Arnold were strong but our balls around the court were loopy and play was messy.

Not beaten down by the fact we were losing we scored 5 goals in the second quarter. 

Our defence; Meaghan Barron-Cutts, Emily Holloway and Stacie Molot, started to hold their players more effectively, allowing the attack to travel down the court with ease.

Still motivated, our play improved in the 3rd quarter, sussing out the Antigens game, allowing us to quickly travel down the court and score more goals.

Entering the last quarter with the score at 12/14 to Shiplake, we were all tired and feeling the heat. 

Despite this we went out with the same fighting spirit as at the start of the match. Unfortunately the other team continued to move the ball into the goal circle with accurate shots, scoring a further 10 goals compared to our 4. 

The final score being 22/18 to Antigua. Although statistics show that we were not the most successful, the amount we learnt and plan to put into practise has been valuable.

That's it folks...

Well, there we have it...after 7 nights, 16 fixtures, 5000miles and 10 litres of suncream, we are now at VC Bird Airport awaiting our flight home. 

The tour group have been a credit to Shiplake College and they have been a pleasure to spend time with.

All pupils and staff are sad to be leaving this beautiful and friendly island, but the memories and experiences of this successful tour will last for a while yet. 

Cricket (Match 4) v St Joseph's College

After defeats in the first 3 games of the tour, the cricketers were desperate not to return home without a win. Today they faced St Josephs College at the St Viv Richards Stadium-a 12,000 seater international stadium.  The squad arrived early to find a pristine pitch and outfield and after bowling and fielding practice were ready for the game. 

Captain Harry Ibbitson lost the toss and again we were bowling in the midday heat but Tom McCooke found an excellent rhythm taking 3 wickets in 4 overs fot only 11 runs to leave the hosts 32-3 from 7 overs. Ruaridh Scott then took over and bowled two batsmen in his first over to leave the hosts 36-5. With Shiplake full of confidence and chirping away in the field,  the hosts responded well by progressing the score to 74 before Elanor Waite had the opposition captain caught behind for a patient 26. Captain Harry then bought himself on and bofinishedh control and imagination to confuse the batsmen. He finsihed with figures of 5-2-12-2. Ben Arnold and Alex Bradley each took a wicket in the final overs as the hosts were dismissed for 118 with 2 overs remaining.  

With a target of 119 from 25 overs, Shiplake started with Ed Farrar (8) and Callum Boyd posting an opening partnership of 31 before Ed was caught pulling. Callum was not as fluent as in previous matches but was watchful and progressed to 40 off 43 balls before being bowled by the opposition captain. Captain Harry was busy accumulating at the other end and saw Shiplake to their target with 4 overs to spare and a personal score of 31not out. 

Tom McCooke was announced as man of the match for his excellent opening spell.  The captain of the oppostion was awarded a Shiplake Colous tie as well as a school cap and thean of the match a tie and a bat donated by Ben Arnold. 

A victory by 7 wickets brings the tour to a successful end. The squad faced some very tough opposition but should be proud of the way that they bpunced back to win the final game in which everyone made a valid contribution. 

Tour awards to be announces shortly...

Netball Match Report by Alice White and Beth Jones

 

Considering our sunburns the team spirits were high as we arrived for our third match, luckily the temperature was lower as we were now playing at 5pm.

Due to a good night out with her parents, Libby was unable to play as she injured her ankle, therefore Miss Erasmus stepped up to the role of playing centre. 

The first quarter was used to get a feel for the opposing team, we started off scrappy with lots of loopy balls giving our opponents the advantage, finishing 8-3 to Antigua. 

As we moved into the 2nd quarter we switched the team again moving Alice to GS, Emily to GD and Meg to WD. Stacie stayed at GK Sophie at GA and Beth at WA.

As a team we played stronger in this quarter with the defence hustling for the ball and the shooters communicating well. 

The second quarter ended 11-5.

In the third and fourth quarter we played the Netball so far this tour.

With the team working well together and moving the ball swiftly across the court.  

However the opponents matched our play and we ended 25-10.

Tennis (Match 4) v Halcyon TC

Off the back of their win yesterday, a rather tired tennis squad returned to Halcyon Cove for their final match.

The sun was hidden behind the clouds, making this the coolest conditions the team had yet played in. However, some red hot volleying from Balchin and some searing serving from Horsfall, ensured that temperatures on court were rising as Shiplake picked up a doubles point. Charlie Sichel then dominated an opponent who had previously beaten him  to win 6-2 in the singles. 

As with the last fixture we were 2 up with 2 to play. Unfortunately, the pairings of Nicheli/Balchin and Sichel/Horsfall didn't quite keep their consistency and they lost two very close matches.

Perhaps a draw is the fairest way to end our time with Halcyon TC who have been wonderful and friendly hosts. To show our appreciation we sang our National Anthem, donated bags and balls to the club, and presented their man of the series with a Shiplake cap.

"The Shiplake tennis squad have been well-behaved, focused and a pleasure to spend time with on this tour, and I am very proud of them finishing the series with a win and a draw" (Mr. Mallins)

Cricket (Match 3) v Combined Schools

After two losses before the weekend, the cricket squad were hoping that a relaxing day on the catamaran would help them towards a first victory on tour. Again our opposition was a Combined Antiguan school team who looked strong during their pre match warm up. 

Captain Harry Ibbitson lost the toss and so with the home team keen for a bat in the midday heat, the Shiplake team prepared to bowl and field in searing heat. Again they struggled with the ball and conceded a number of leg side wides. They did pick up wickets though with early scalps for Alex Bradley and Tom McCooke. The opposition captain and best player then combined to score at a rapid rate, both with scores in the 60s. Their best player, Joseph Ansari, is a West Indies U19 player and struck several huge sixes in his brief innings (61 off 31 balls) before being dismissed lbw by Harry. Two further wickets fell and the home team finished on 208-5.

Joseph Ansari opened the bowling with extreme pace at a speed none of the Shiplake batsmen could deal with. That said, despite losing opener Ben Arnold in the 5th over, Callum Boyd and Harry survived the onslaught. Callum played carefully for his 24 and Harry well for his 15. After this the oppostion proved too strong with Shiplake limping to 116 all out in the final over to lose by 92 runs.

A disappointing result against a significantly stronger opposition. The final game of tour is today against another combined schools team, but it will be played at the Sir Viv Richards stadium- a new purpose built international stadium where England played 3 T20 matches last month.  A quiet, soft drinks only, night for the squad in preparation is on the cards!

Out in the capital

Off the back of their first win, the tennis squad celebrated by heading into Antigua's capital, St.Johns, for an ice cream and a drink. The netball girls had also been in all morning doing lots of shopping. 

A short walk through the bustling streets and down into the harbour to see 2 huge cruise ships, was followed by a trip on a public bus back to the resort.