| 19 April 2011
A brilliant day in early April with fantastic weather. Scott Beasley's Boys just pipped the School 3rd XI 2-1 in the opening early morning game. Five more entertaining games followed. The OCs vets, called the Lynxes, went down 3-2 to Hugh Richards' XI from Ashford. There was plenty of grey hair on display but the age old talent (if not the speed) was in clear evidence. Thanks to Peter Ludgate for doing his usual captaining job with aplomb.
Then the ex-Boarders lost convincingly to the ex-Day Pupils. Dan Wickham captained the former and Adam Fulwood the latter. It was compelling stuff but the goals rattled in 7-2 to day Boys.
The School 2nd XI managed a fine win 1-0 against a strong OCs side with Henry Mullen shining in defence. For the school Rich Scully won man of the match for a really workmanlike performance at centre midfield. Rob Bull scored the clinching goal after great work by Freddie Petch.
On to the girls' game where the OCs just edged out the school 2-1. A fast and tight game delighted the beer drinkers, particularly Beasley's Boys who, having played at 9.15 were able to enjoy the food for the rest of the day.
The top match at 3.00pm saw the 1st XI put the OCs to the sword 6-1. It was a fine match with the school playing as well as they have done all season and the OCs playing a full part; possibly being a little unlucky at the margin of defeat. The final goal, however, was a masterclass of fast passing from the back to the front with a tap-in by Tom Beresford-West to round off a great display.
Cornwallis House were stupendous hosts with beer tent and barbecue. There was a big turn out of OCs, parents past and present and a great school support. The Lenten Appeat's coffers were swelled by around £1500 - a record for the day. Thanks to Simon Cullen and Roo Robertson for organising the weather and Cornwallis. Thanks too to the indefatigable House Captain, Jack Webb.
More thanks to the umpires and organisers of the hockey and to Anita Hasemore in Barham for her efforts on programming and communication. A day which started at 9.00am finished around 5.30pm...I think some OCs may have made it to the George for the evening. They still had some stamina for a last hurrah. Long may the camaraderie continue!
Paul Sorensen
NETBALL
A great way to end the season amongst past and present students. The Netball has now really established itself as part of the day although as yet the Cornwallis boys forget to mention this on their posters!!! However we had a few spectators and they enjoyed a competitive match which was tightly battled. Both teams managed their subs well and apart from OC’s captain Mariela getting smacked in the face with a ball through team mate Betty Ludgate's toss up technique and the ball being smacked the reverse way through the goal in the 3rd quarter again by Betty, the game was like any other, if even more entertaining!
I would like to thank the 1st team and the OC’s especially for a competitive and exciting game of Netball and I look forward to the next one!
Liz Coleman
