We are delighted to report that the annual OB v School Sports Weekend which took place Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th March, was a great success. Around ninety OBs returned to the School over the weekend of sporting activities which included Squash, Rifle Shooting Football and, Hockey and Fives. Many thanks to them all, and to the students and staff involved, for a wonderful weekend of events.
Football
The OBs fielded two teams against the School, with one victory and a loss. The Captains XI, led by James Smith (09-16), won 6-3 against a strong School side. The OBs experience told early on when James Smiths through ball split the defence, and Oli Keary (99-10) neatly finished in the corner. Goal of the game was from Jon Lamb (90-00) now leading OB scorer with 11 goals. He flicked the ball over his marker and volleyed in from the edge of the box, giving the keeper no chance at all.
The referee (Phil Waterhouse) was determined to make it an even game and awarded a penalty for a handball nobody saw! Frankie Hearnshaw sent the keeper the wrong way. He later equalised for the School making the half time score 2-2.
With no substitutes the OBs played the conditions well with Toby Walker contributing with a couple of assists from defence. The OBs scored quickly from resulting corners with Will Robertson and MoM Frankie Lawrence (94-05). The speedy Julian Kitson added a further brace.
There was still time for another School penalty, Daniel De Gea Walker (81-85) pulled off an excellent save debuting in goal. There was still time for Alex Rennie to grab a consolation goal for the School making the final score 6-3
The OB 2nd team came up against the 2nd XI side and eventually went down in a very close fought 5-4 loss.
Overall, it was a great day for football with a fantastic turnout!
Daniel Walker (81-85)
Shooting
Prior to this years match the OBs started to suffer from what can only be described as a nasty bout of trepidation. The causes were far ranging. Some felt mother nature had gently caught up with them. Others had clearly forgotten how emails worked and a few were frankly just not feeling themselves this year. On top of this word had reached us that the schools much loved No 8s had been replaced by some new fangled Anschutz thingy. Worrying times indeed
After much cajoling our slightly dodgy VI became a not quite fit for purpose XII and we descended as usual on the Three Tuns for team tactics, reminiscing, food and a little something to settle us down
At 2pm we duly arrived at the school range with a swagger for all the wrong reasons. Worryingly the school team had that look in their eye which seemed to suggest they were pleased to see us but really
.is this your best?? This was going to be their year
Details of Group, Rapid, Snap and 5 Bull smoothly ensued. The school were clearly well drilled, the coaching pertinent and precise and the scores worryingly good. The OBs on the other hand were heard to mutter that the firing point seemed awfully low this year, couldnt the lights be a little brighter?…and ones arthritis was not responding well to the ambient temperature
.
And then it was all over.
You can always tell when a match is tight as the scorers go quiet shortly followed by the arrival of the magic scoring gauge
.just to double check those close calls you see.
After sufficient time had elapsed to make decent in roads into the school tea MiC Lumley-Wood announced that the OBs had stolen a win – 1448 versus 1434. A 1% margin.
Top scorer was OB Rupert Riley with 193 ex 195. However as he dresses up in camo for a living perhaps no surprise. The school clearly has some talent. Top shot was Max Erdmann with 187 but Smithson, Tsao, Hine and Flicke were all close behind. This was a contest that could easily have gone either way
The OBs would like to thank the coaches and the school VIII for their kind hospitality and good humour in putting up with the ever more eclectic visitors. This match has a long history and it remains a genuine pleasure for the OBs to visit their school again, meet old friends and shoot in the range
Looking forward challenges face both teams. The school is losing 4 of its top shots so will need others to step up to fill some big boots. The OBs on the other hand need to harness the talent leaving the school and welcome them into the Bedfordians RC. Only in this way will the annual contest continue to go from strength to strength.
Thank you to all those who contributed to the day. It is much appreciated.
Steve Lyon (73-84)
Watch this space for more details on Squash, Hockey and Fives.