Shipp's touch of flair guides Fishies into the decider
Shipp's touch of flair guides Fishies into the decider by Ben Walker - Daily Liberal, September 4,2015
WITH four minutes remaining in the Group 11 major semi-final, Parkes had almost done enough to book themselves a spot in the 2015 grand final and a week off.
But Kieran Shipp had other ideas.
In the twinkling of an eye the classy Fishies fullback got the ball in space, stepped an opponent and flicked a pass to teammate Jyie Chapman, who crossed in the corner to get CYMS home in an enthralling contest.
It was a piece of individual brilliance that has seen Shipp become one of the most thrilling players to watch in Group 11, and it could be that kind of freakish play that is needed if the Fishies are to win Sunday's decider, once again against the Spacemen.
"I don't even remember it to tell you the truth," Shipp said this week.
"I watched the replay and I don't know what I was thinking. I just stepped one of their players and saw the defence coming so I flicked it out.
"When you're down 16-14 with not long to go you try anything. When I looked up 'Chappo' was going over in the corner so I was pretty pumped.
"I'd made a mistake just before that so I was pretty keen to try and make up for it and thankfully it came off."
In the three years since joining CYMS from Macquarie, Shipp has been a revelation.
A talented junior, his progression to first grade regular and Group 11 and Western Division representative has been rapid.
But when you look at what he had provided CYMS coach Tim Ryan in those three years it was easy to see why so many considered him a star of the competition.
In 50 matches for CYMS across the past three seasons he has crossed the line on 59 occasions, including a phenomenal 23 tries in 16 games this year alone.
In a way Shipp's ability to pull off the freakish plays is contrary to the structured and disciplined style of football CYMS mentor Tim Ryan likes to employ, but the yin and yang seems to come have come together pretty well.
"I'm pretty lucky because Tim just lets me play my own game but I do have to fall in to the plan of the team as well," Shipp said.
"Sometimes those things come off and sometimes they don't but it's all about picking the right time to do it.
"We've got a few guys in our team who can pull off some big plays. In saying that hopefully we're not in the position where we need to be scoring in the last couple of minutes to win on Sunday.