Sports

Marlborough Blues Cricket Season 2022

It was another season of ups and downs, but, most importantly, there was plenty of enjoyment! Unusually for the hottest summer in decades, no fewer than three matches were abandoned due to wet weather. The disappointment of defeats to Hurlingham and Hornets was erased by impressive away victories at Hampshire Hogs, Guards, Radley and Eton. Early May saw Billy Mead (C1 2012-17) score a century for Kent on his first-class debut against Sri Lanka Development XI, finishing unbeaten on 106 from 188 balls with eight fours and a six. Despite scoring 54, Billy was unable to inspire the Blues to victory as they fell at the first hurdle in the Cricketer Cup losing out to a strong Bradfield Waifs side. The disappointment of a first-round defeat was later eased by the knowledge that Bradfield went on to win the competition, meaning the Blues lost to the eventual champions for the second successive year. We have seen the benchmark, but with an impressive pool of young talent, we now have to match it!

Elsewhere the Blues retained the Eton T20 Trophy by virtue of being defending champions after the annual tournament in May was lost to the weather. They also retained the CMJ Trophy with an impressive display at Radley. Batting highlights saw half centuries from Will Hammersley (PR 2016-21), Will Eversfield (C3 2007-12), Ben Spink (SU 2015-20), Dom Brown (C1 2007-12), Will Caldwell (CO 1991-96) and Victor Kandampully (SU 1998-2003), and two from Charlie Pascoe (C2 2008-13). Pascoe, Brown and Eversfield also contributed to leading bowling performances alongside Jim Crossland (C1 2012-17) and Joe Arkwright (SU 2010-15). Mike Bush (TU 1993-98 CR 2011-) michaelbush1979@googlemail.com

The 2022 Cricketer Cup XI. Back row: Richard Willmett scorer, Max Read, Orlando Mace, Billy Mead, Elijah Samuel, Freddie Kottler, Ben Higton. Front row: Mark Cattermull, Will von Behr, Jack Bunn, Ed Kilbee, Uzi Qureshi

Cricket results

Played 12 Won 4 Lost 4 Drew 1 Abandoned 3 v Hurlingham (A) 14th May – Lost by 8 wkts. Blues 121 all out (Jack Bunn (SU 2011-16) 36) Hurlingham 125-2

v Charterhouse Friars (Eton T20 Tournament) 15th May – Match abandoned. (Blues retain the trophy by virtue of being defending champions) Blues 173-6 off 20 (Will Hammersley (PR 2016-21) 54, Elijah Samuel (LI 2012-17) 49)

v School (H) 28th May (Prize Day T20) – Lost by 82 runs. School 212-3 off 20 (Dan Patching (PR 1995-2000) 2-34) Blues 130-7 off 20 (Freddie Kottler (C2 2016-21) 35)

v Bradfield Waifs (H – Cricketer Cup 1st Round) 12th June – Lost by 115 runs. Bradfield Waifs 332-7 off 50 (Orlando Mace (B1 2014-19) 2-50) Blues 217 all out off 42.5 (Billy Mead (C1 2012-17) 54, Max Read (TU 212-17) 42, Uzi Qureshi (B1 2007-11) 34, Will von Behr (B1 2007-12) 32)

v Dilettantes (H) 19th June – Match abandoned. Blues 159 all out (Ali Robinson (PR 1983-88) 44, Mark Hunt (LI 1980-85) 36, Stuart Kerr (SU 1983-88) 30) Dilletantes 107-5 (Nick Bryant (B3 1980-85) 2-6)

v School (H) 2nd July – Match abandoned. School 211-6 (Jack Cleverly (SU 2015-20) 2-31)

v Hampshire Hogs (A) 9th July – Won by 4 wkts. Hampshire Hogs 155 all out (Charlie Pascoe (C2 2008-13) 4-10, Jim Crossland (C1 2012-17) 3-34, Dom Brown (C1 2007-12) 2-21) Blues 157-6 (Will Eversfield (C3 2007-12) 56, Max Koe (BH 2008-12) 31*)

v Milton Abbey Hornets (H) 17th July – Lost by 8 wkts. Blues 211 all out (Ben Spink (SU 2015-20) 78, Rhys Lamplugh (BH 2017-22) 37, Kit Williams (C2 2007-12) 31) Hornets 215-2

v Guards (A) 23rd July – Won by 25 runs. Blues 213-6 off 30 (Dom Brown 63, Charlie Pascoe 52) Guards 188 all out off 29.3 (Dom Brown 3-29, Max Koe 2-31)

v Radley Rangers (A) 24th July – Won by 4 wkts. Rangers 174 all out (Joe Arkwright (SU 2010-15) 3-20, Ali Stokes (BH 2005-10) 2-20, Archie Del Mar (B1 2016-21) 2-30) Blues 179-6 (Alistair Scott-Dalgliesh (C1 1997-2000) 49, Stuart Swift (C2 2007-12) 44)

v HAC (A) 6th August – Match drawn. Blues 243-5 dec (Ali Stokes 42, Will Eversfield 34) HAC 223-7 (Will Eversfield 4-32)

v Eton Ramblers (A) 14th August – Won by 6 wkts. Ramblers 242-6 dec (Finn Campbell (C1 2010-15) 2-42, Archie Del Mar 2-45) Blues 247-4 (Will Caldwell (CO 1991-96) 69, Victor Kandampully (SU 1998-2003) 51, Charlie Pascoe 51)

Sports

Cycling

Thirty Old Marlburian cyclists, aged 27 to almost 70, and four attentive soigneurs set off for St Malo after a five-year gap in the cycling club’s international outings. Once again, our destination was war related, and, with the sun on our backs and a friendly breeze, we left for the ferry in the morning for the first leg to Saint Lo. Thankfully, we had only one broken hub at this stage. The owner solved the issue by immediately buying a new full-carbon rig from the local velo shop. First stop was Mont St Michel where our racier members took on the tide and managed to keep their bikes dry. We then turned north, past the Patton Memorial in Arromanches and, some 80 miles later, we arrived in Saint Lo for a well-deserved refresher or two.

Day two was clear and cool and all 30 cyclists made it out by 9am – quite an achievement for OMs on tour! The objective was to cycle from the recently constructed British Memorial to Gold Beach, the D-Day landing beach. A quick stop for coffee in Bayeux and by midday we were looking out over the view to the sea and the beautifully designed memorial. David Mott (PR 1986-91) put together a short service for us. We had a poem by Rupert Brooke read by Hamish Laing (SU 1992-97), a minute’s silence and, after a blast of Jerusalem, we once again honoured our 749 Marlburians who died in conflicts this century. We returned to Portsmouth after a weekend well spent and all keen for another trip. At least 10 of the group had never cycled more than 20 miles but, as one said to me, ‘I should not have worried as I was carried along by camaraderie, humour and attentive soigneurs!’ Piers Dibben (B2 1981-85) piers@dibben.co.uk

Football

The 2021-22 OMFC season was a solid season for the club, with a mid-table finish (played 18, won 9, drew 3 and lost 6). The season commenced with many of the club’s longest serving players – Rob Guppy (C3 2002-07), Alex Azis (CO 2004-09), Ben Walters (SU 2005-10), Alexander Walters (SU 2007-12) and George Blakey (C2 2006-11) – sharing management and captaincy responsibilities, and with Ben Davies (C3 2007-12), Alex Middleton (C1 2004-09), Nick Horowitz (C3 2002-07), James Archer (C3 2003-08), Joe Hare (C3 1999-2004), Alex Callender (SU 2010-15) and Ed Siddeley (C2 2007-12) turning up as regular performers. After a strong start in the three months to November 2021, including a period at the summit of the table, the OMs headed into the tricky month of December. This proved to be our toughest month with three losses, 15 goals conceded and a slide down the league table. After a well-deserved Christmas break, the team came into the New Year rejuvenated and refreshed, finishing the season in good form. Noticeable games and performances came against Chigwell, with a comfortable 5-0 win, followed by a big 7-4 win against Berkhamsted to finish the season off. Ben Davies deserves a special mention for ending the season as top scorer, hitting 11 goals in as many games (including two hat-tricks). The club is always looking for young, enthusiastic players to join. So, I urge you to put yourself forward and get in touch at: omfc.management@gmail.com. Ben Walters (SU 2005-10) omfc.management@gmail.com

On Monday 23rd May, the female Old Marlburian Golfing Society competed in the Silver Tassie – a ladies golf competition for alumnae of independent schools – at the Berkshire Golf Club. It was a gorgeous day weather-wise, and the event was superbly organised by OM and Berkshire member Charlotte Hampel (PR 1979-81) and the Tassie Organising Committee. The OM team was very well captained, as always, by Katie Naylor (CO 1974-76). In addition to Charlotte and Katie, Rita Mitchell (SU 1995-96) and Kate O'Kelly (B1 1980-82) also represented Marlborough on the day. Although the OM teams did not win on this occasion, we finished very respectfully in the middle of the pack. We are very keen to field two teams of four for this fabulous event next year, so please reach out to myself or the OMGS if you would like to play! Katie Naylor (CO 1974-76) kt_naylor@hotmail.com

Golf – Men

Finally, the OMGS is back to normal! 2020 was a washout. 2021 was better but still difficult although we did manage to play a bit of golf. Fortunately, it is business as usual in 2022 as follows: 24 matches against other schools and societies, eight internal matches and nine tournaments. Quite a schedule and I am sure the fixture list is the envy of other school golfing societies. With regards to matches, we win some, we lose some. A notable game was the match against Fettes at Sunningdale. Although we lost, the games were very close, and we put out 10 OMs with an average age of 27. In the Halford Hewitt, we had a tough draw meeting one of the 2021 semi-finalists in the first round. However, we managed to overcome a very strong Rossall side at

Match against Fettes at Sunningdale

extra holes. Hamish Greenwood (C1 2002-07) (playing in his first Hewitt) and Charlie Foster (TU 2002-07) won the vital match at the 22nd at St Georges. In the afternoon, we lost to Haileybury by three matches to two; the opponents in the key match holed a 15-footer on the last green to win. The team was: Jack Naylor (C2 1975-80), Matt Mockridge (C1 1972-76) and James Porter (PR 2010-15); Angus Murray (BH 1983-88) and Elliott Matthews (C2 2005-10); Chas Blockley (C1 1996-2001) and Jim Hewer (CO 1988-90); David Niven (C3 1970-73) and Justin Rhodes (C1 1984-89); Hamish Greenwood and Charlie Foster.

In other tournaments, we had a very good June. We won the Alba Trophy at Woking for the very first time, which was a tremendous achievement as it is a scratch event. Our team was David Niven and Elliott Matthews and their scores were 75 in the morning and 71 in the afternoon. A total of 146 and they won by three shots.

We also won the Public Schools Putting for the third time under the inspiring leadership of Chris Dowling. For those of you who do not know, 32 schools participate in four qualifying events at Royal Wimbledon. Each school has a team of four and everybody plays everybody so each player has seven 18-hole matches. The top two schools go into the final day and the bottom two get relegated. It is quite scary. We topped our qualifying group with 35 points and the following played: Elliott Matthews, Jim Hewer, Tom Macfarlane (TU 1996-2001) and Jack Naylor. We won the final with 40 points (out of a maximum of 56), pipping Charterhouse (by two points). Our team in the final was Angus Murray (who came top of the points scoring with 12 points out of 14), Jim Hewer, Tom Macfarlane and Jack Naylor. Finally, we won the very senior Darwin (the over 75s) comprising an 18-hole Stableford competition at Woking. Our team was our President James Hopper (C1 1957-62) and Martin Mercer (C2 1960-65) who holed a huge putt from off the green at the 14th to win. The results of the other two Darwins were less memorable and perhaps should be glossed over! Once again, Charles Terry (B3 1970-75), our longstanding and long-suffering manager, organised a successful spring meeting at the Royal Worlington and Newmarket GC. Mark Lee (C1 1974-79) dominated the meeting winning the OM Challenge Cup, the Sir William Waterlow Cup, the Victor Ludorum and the Veterans Trophy. He also teamed up with Charles Terry to win the Tanner Trophies but only came second when partnered by Douglas Harmer (C1 1988-93) in the Waterlow Goblets (which were won by Steve O’Loughlin (B3 1971-75) and Frank Bulman (B1 1988-93)). Bob Carrick (B2 1963-67) won the scratch cup. The AGM was held as part of the spring meeting and the following officers were elected: James Hopper (C1 1957-62) – President, Bernie Thomson (B3 1967-71) – Captain, Alasdair Niven (C3 1966-70) – Vice Captain. William Wells (C2 1984-89) – Hon Secretary, replacing Bob Carrick The only office not filled is that of Hon Treasurer and we definitely need to find someone to fill this role. It is not onerous, and the Hon Sec would be delighted to hear from an interested party. The summer meeting, again expertly organised by William Wells, was held at Woking and the main prize, the Penruddock

The Alba Trophy at Woking

Sports

Trophy was won by Jamie Hawksfield (LI 1966-70) with 32 points on countback from Simon Hall (C1 1974-78). The latter, however, did not go away empty-handed and teamed up with Mike Roden (CO 1968-73) to win the Robinson Trophies with 37 points. Other winners included Hamish Greenwood who won the scratch salver and Adrian O’Loughlin (B3 1965-69) who won the veterans.

We qualified once again for the Grafton Morrish at Hunstanton and the Brancaster that took place in October and let us hope we can improve on last year’s semi-final. If anyone wants to know more about the Society, please look at our website www.omgs.org.uk which will give full details about what we do and where we do it. Providing access to great courses (with subsidies for under 35s), plenty of fun and networking opportunities, we’ve seen a strong influx of young OMs joining the society recently. If you would like to join, you can do so via the website; alternatively, you can contact me using the details below. William Wells (C2 1884-89) Honourable Secretary wellswr@gmail.com

Sailing

OMSA Arrow Trophy 2021: Dark and stormy conditions on the Solent for the re-emergence of the annual inter-school regatta. Having sailed into the sunset with the Charterhouse Bowl after three hard days’ action on the water in 2019, the Old Marlburian Sailing Association (OMSA) had a hard act to follow this year, dusting off their cobwebs as well as a fair amount of encrusted saltiness from lack of time on the water since our last outing. There was a focus to raise a diverse and competitive crew for the re-emergence of this highly regarded regatta after a year’s Covid hiatus, bringing in the energy of youth, whilst retaining the steeliness that comes with the experience of age. No time was wasted in seeking out a varied crew through the OM network, organised and collated by Charlie Kendrick (C1 1998-2003) and Edward Gregg (C2 1988-93). What resulted was a team of mariners with a spectrum of age and experience: Hugo Hentenaar (C2 2012-17), Freddie Cooper (B1 2010-15), Charlie Kendrick, Edward Gregg, James Harding (TU 1987-92), Mike Orange (PR 1986-91), Angus McNab (SU 1986-91), Katie Beney (MO 1989-91), Sebastian Katkhuda (C2 1985-90) and Andrew Knatchbull (B1 1983-88). Typically, we lost one crew member to a duplicitous series of positive lateral flow tests the last day before muster, but a few frantic calls later and we had secured the expeditious and brave commitment of Karen Hill (MM 1988-90) who was keen to experience not only a first day’s racing, but her first day sailing! The bugle was sounded, and the crew congregated at noon the day before racing at the Sunsail Marina where we were allocated Raymarine Simply Superior, one of 12 new yachts in a split fleet of two classes from Sunsail’s reconfigured offering (with a second half of the fleet sourced from Fairview Sailing). The Friday afternoon was spent getting used to our vessel allocation with a series of impressive nautical manoeuvres carried out in fast repetition under the steely eyes and calm demeanour of our designated master of helmsman, Mike (Jaffa) Orange, until all roles had been allocated and all foreseeable tacks, jibes, hoists and pole configurations had been mastered. Therefore, it was with some satisfaction that we made Cowes as the sun set over the west of the Isle of Wight in a clear but diminishing blue sky, heralding the end of an afternoon well spent. Further tactics were discussed over salt and pepper squid, rump steaks and rosé in the aptly named Mullets Restaurant, before sizing up the competition at the Royal London Yacht Club on West Cowes waterfront where the race committee had organised their Dark and Stormy happy hour. We retired to our hammocks smiling, with sliplocks and winches well-oiled and ready to go. Sadly, the choice of cocktail the previous evening brought not only lingering mist to sore heads, but the portents of a lively day on the water. Race instructions were issued early and annoyingly all our spinnaker practice the previous day lay in tatters due to the forecast as the order was circulated for two main reefs and no kites with the high likelihood of racing not lasting past midday. Our intrepid crew were also

disappointed by the curtailing of competition to starts with winds of less than 25 knots. We only managed to get two races completed before competitive sailing was officially called off for the day, having had one vessel retire with irreparable damage and several other boats limping home with considerable impairments, of which we were one, with a damaged spinnaker pole car, having watched various bearings, nuts and bolts fly off into the deep following one sudden and ferocious gust hitting our goose-winged foresail. Having returned to the marina with our pride in a better condition than our boat, we found out that due to the weather Sunsail were refusing to service their vessels anywhere but their own moorings, on the far side of the Solent. Not ideal. After a jerry rig repair, we retired to the comfort of our crew house tucked just behind the Anchor Inn on West Cowes High Street for a debrief, drying out and hot cocoa in front of the TV. Feeling re-energised, we dolled up, compared the variety of OM ties on display and trooped off for a team ale at the Anchor before the regatta dinner at Cowes Yacht Haven. One highlight of the evening was being joined by Bob Milner (C1 1956-61) of The Arrow Trophy committee. Bob, a former OMSA helmsman of previous Arrow Trophies and authority on the Solent, always provides helpful encouragement. Following an excellent dinner of mushroom paté and our second steak in as many days, there was the usual good-humoured exchanges with the 20 or so other schools represented. Sadly, Sunday morning saw the loss of Karen to the RedJet, not a result of her baptism of fire, but due to previous appointments that could not be cancelled at short notice. Though in slightly lighter winds, the morning’s instruction briefing was met with similar sailing orders to the previous day and the two Sunday races ended up being distinguished by an early cancellation to the second. Refusing to let the circumstances get the better of us, and in OM fashion, the crew kept their humour up throughout. All in all, and despite the strong winds and setbacks, it was a fantastic event, thoroughly enjoyed by all, with a broad variation of ages and skills on display. A special thank you to all those who worked behind the scenes to make this the event it was and to the OM Club for their support. Charlie Kendrick (C1 1998-2003) ckendrick0123@gmail.com

Shooting

This was the first year since 2019 that the OM Rifle Club (OMRC) had a full programme of matches and events. Although the NRA HM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Imperial Meeting was somewhat curtailed, initially by a serious fire that threatened the event itself and then by the extraordinarily high temperatures that reduced the shooting programme, in reality it did not have an impact on the Club’s participation. Ten OMs competed in the Imperial Meeting at Bisley, culminating in HM Queen’s Prize on the final Saturday, with three of the Club making the final. Patrick Pelly (B3 1968-72), our retiring Club captain, oversaw some of our better team successes in recent years. Although we did start the meeting somewhat slowly in the veterans match, we were the only alumni club that raised more than four teams, albeit in the end we did not have a complete fifth team. Although no OM scored 50 ex 50, the A Team had a consistent set of scores that was sufficient for fourth place and included a 49.8 from Bill Richards (C1 1977-79) who took home the Vezey Trophy, the OMRC trophy for the highest score by an OM in the match. The B Team was the eighth best second team whilst the C Team came a creditable fifth and the D Team ninth in the competition for the third teams. Our combined efforts were only enough for fifth place in the aggregate to Old Guildfordians, which was a reflection on our somewhat low scoring. Other individual OMRC trophies in the veterans were won by John Hayward (TU 1972-77), Robin Baker (B2 1954-59) and, quite

Patrick Pelly

fabulously, William Tellwright (CO 1969-74), attending his first veterans match since 1986 and scoring a magnificent 48.6, which just goes to prove that shooting is a sport that you can come back to at any time. After the veterans match, 22 OMs and guests sat down for our annual dinner, including Martin Watkins, who retired as the school’s shooting coach this summer. It was fantastic to be able to return to a sit-down dinner this year and huge credit goes to David Chase (PR 1994-99), our Honourable Secretary, in organising the catering for the event, which was very much back to the standard we enjoyed pre-Covid. As mentioned, the captain’s choice of teams for the club concurrent matches in the meeting proved to be inspired with a second place in the Steward and two fourth places, a sixth and an eighth in the others. Individual successes in the championships included Ed Dickson (SU 2005-07) coming 46th in the Grand Aggregate, Ed Jeens (BH 1998-2003) coming second in the Lovell and Bill Richards winning the Friday Aggregate. Three OMs shot in HM Queen’s Prize final: Ed Jeens, Bill and David Richards

Kolapore Match – Bill Richards (right)

(B3 1972-76), with Ed securing 11th place as the highest placed OM. During the championships, on the national and international teams front, the highlight was when David Richards captained Great Britain to victory in the Kolapore Match, whilst selecting his brother Bill as his main coach. Bill also coached for England in the National Match. Sandy Gill (BH 1996-2000) for Scotland and Ed Jeens and Richard Jeens (BH 1994-99) for Wales all represented the home countries in the National and Mackinnon Matches.

The OMRC continues to be very successful as an alumni club, and individual members have success on both the national and international stage. We have five matches each year which are well attended. The sport of rifle shooting has a very rich history within the College and the Marlburian Club. We sincerely hope that the future of shooting at the school remains as bright and we look forward to meeting Martin Watkins’ replacement when they are appointed. Bill Richards (C1 1977-79) OMRC President omrc.secretary@gmail.com