We are delighted to report that the return of our annual OB Club Sports Weekend, which took place over 19th – 20th March, was a great success. Around ninety OBs returned to the school over the weekend of sporting activities which included Squash, Rifle Shooting, Fives, Rowing, Football and Hockey. As always, the fixtures were great fun, with both OBs and boys showing a great level of sportsmanship. Many thanks to all those who participated and helped make it a wonderful weekend.
FOOTBALL REPORT – by Daniel Walker (81-85)
Following a two-year hiatus, OB football returned on a glorious Sunday morning in March. The OBs were able to put out two competitive teams against the school’s current 1st and 2nd XI respectively.
A youthful OB 1st XI with 8 recent leavers led by Novo Ukiri (15-20), and the experience of Daniel Walker (81-85), Ben Grounds (01-06) and Will Robertson (01-10) started hesitantly having never played together. The match was played with some early pace and pressing, which soon subsided. Anhad Singh (16-20) won a disputed penalty, no VAR intervention, and resulting penalty scored. The 2nd half was again equal possession; with the school unable to breakdown a defensive line led by Michael Wells (13-20). OBs stretched their lead to 2-0 when Novo scored the penalty following Anhad Singh being fouled again. The school clawed a goal back in the final minutes, but it was too little too late. – resulting in an OB win 2-1.
The 2nd XI was also evenly contested with a final score of 3-3. Goals scored by Peter Devaney (02-11) and 2 from Ricky Wong (99-06). A special mention to Ricky who travelled from Innsbruck, Austria to participate. Surely the greatest distance an OB has travelled for an OB sports weekend!
FIVES REPORT – by Chris Davey (04-13)
This year marked a significant moment in OB Fives’ history, not just for the absence of the previous years’ events, but this years’ absence of a legend who previously walked amongst us. Stuart Endersby (62-69) was brilliant for more reasons than just his left hand, but for one day a year, for almost every year since leaving Bedford School, he demonstrated his skill and grace on a fives court, regardless of the decade that he was representing the OBs in. In Stuart’s memory, Graham Saunders (58-64), another veteran of the OB team, has dedicated a cup in his honour that we shall play for, for many years to come.
Eleven OBs stepped up this year to take on the school’s two enthusiastic teams. After around 2 hours of play, the OB side returned to winning form with its two 1st IV teams winning against the school’s 1st IV, and the OBs 3rd IV defeating the school’s 2nd IV.
It was a pleasure to return to the school under some unexpected sun. My thanks go to the OBs for coming together for this occasion, and our collective thanks go to Michael Croker for stepping in to help with the fixture as Master in Charge, Henry Vann (99-04), was sadly self-isolating at the time. We look forward to a repeat next year.