Old Pauline Sport

OLD PAULINE GOLFING SOCIETY

Neil Fitch (1955-60) reports that after two years of some cancellations, it is good to be back to a normal year of OP Golf.

We have so far this year had wins against The School, KCS OBs & Old Amplefordians, halved against Old Uppinghamians and lost to Old Lawrentians. Mike Rowley won the Kayton Vase at our 2-night stay at the Wiltshire.

In the Halford Hewitt, Hugh Roberts (1969-74) and his team of Alessandro (2010-12) and Tito Bastianello (2009-11), Robin Young (1975-79), Robbie Parker (2004-09), Max Rose (2004-09), Charlie Dewhurst (2003-08), Charlie Prior (1995-2000), Ian Bailey (1974-78) and James Seddon (1977-82), had a good 1st round win against Forest by 4-1. In the 2nd round they came up against a very strong Charterhouse team and lost 1/2 –41/2 .

In the Grafton Morrish qualifier at Royal Wimbledon, our team of Max Rose, Charlie Prior, Robbie Lyon (2007-12), James Seddon, Ian Bailey and Hugh Roberts, came 8th out of 16 and did not qualify for the finals in October.

In the Putting Competition at Royal Wimbledon, Chris Vallender (1960-64) and his team of Tito Bastianello, James Seddon and Charlie Prior came 5th, unable to repeat winning the Competition as they did last year.

In the Alba Trophy at Woking, our team of Charlie Prior and Robbie Parker came 12th out of 26.

In the Cyril Gray (over 50s) our team of Nick Cardoza (1983-88), Robin Young, David Clark, Charles Mathias (1974-79), Ian Bailey and James Seddon, lost in the 1st round to Blundells 2-1. Blundells went on to win the competition. In the 1st round of the plate, we lost 2-1 to Wellingborough. However, in the Seniors (over 70s) held on the Saturday, Jeremy Williams (1966-70) and Chris Vallender won.

In our Spring Meeting at Betchworth Park in May, 15 members played. David Charman (1962-67) and John Woodcock (1963-68) both had 36 points in the morning, with David winning the Just Cup on countback. John won the Goldman salver for the best score by a player off 15 and over handicap and Alastair Grant (1993-98) had the best gross score to win the Haswell Bowl. The afternoon play was won by Robert Silverstone (1964-68) and Dick Vollmer (1953-57). In the Summer Meeting at Hayling in July, 17 members played. In the morning play, 5 players had the same points score of 37. On a countback, Chris Vallender had the best score to win the Mercers Cup. Ian Bailey won the Sayers Cup with a gross 76. In the afternoon greensomes, David Pincott (1971-75) and David Charman won the Summer Meeting tankards. Our Autumn Meeting and David Pincott’s Captain’s Day will be held at High Post in September and our Winter Meeting at West Hill in November. Our AGM/Annual Dinner will be at Royal Mid Surrey in early December.

Golfers wishing to join the Society should contact Neil Fitch, email: n.fitch@ntlworld.com

OLD PAULINE CRICKET CLUB

After several seasons of sustained growth, including promotions for both the 1st XI and 2nd XI, during the offseason the Old Pauline Cricket Club decided to re-instate a 3rd XI.

Having stopped running a 3rd XI back in 2012, Henry Dodd (2001-06) nobly took on the leadership role for the new side. One of the season’s aims has been to grow the OPCC player base and have more Old Paulines involved in the club with 47 OPs already having represented the club with 4 games still to play. This includes 22 OPs under the age of 25.

Both the 1st and 2nd XI have again competed in the Surrey Division 4 1st XI and 2nd XI leagues while the 3rd XI has entered the Division 6 West league. All three teams have greatly enjoyed the brilliant playing and social facilities at Colets this summer and the standard of cricket played across all three sides has been exceptional, with several standout victories. The 1st XI beat table-topping Horsley and Send CC, whose side included an active Zimbabwean test player and a recently retired county cricketer. A brilliant 75 from Richard Hay (2004-09) set up a total of 216 and Upneet Arora’s 5-33 stalled Horsley’s reply and set up a famous victory. Newcomer Johnnie Benson has impressed with the ball throughout the season and his match-winning 6-37 against Churt CC brought home a valuable 24 points for the 1st XI.

In the 2nd XI early season wins were followed by a slightly disappointing mid-season, coinciding with the change from overs to timed cricket, but wins against table topping local rival Thames Ditton CC and Addiscombe CC in recent weeks have lifted them back up the table. Stand out performances include an unbeaten 110* for Ben Turner (2012-17) and 100* for Tom Speller (2006-2011) in consecutive games. Yas Rana (2009-14) leads the bowling statistics for the league with 17 scalps at an impressive average of just 16.

For the 3rd XI, the side has generally been a mixture of newly recruited youth and formerly retired OP stalwarts. Club chairman, Tom Peters (1989–94) has rolled back the years to once again pile on the runs but is being challenged for top scorer by Oscar Jefferson (2010-15) who has reeled off two scores of over 50 this season including an impressive 70 off 62 balls in a win against Esher CC. With the ball, skipper Henry Dodd leads the wicket takers with 18 including a 5-fer on the opening day of the season against Old Kingstonians.

If you would like to become involved with the Old Pauline Cricket Club, please reach out to Chris Berkett: berkettc@ gmail.com. The season runs from April to September with social events and winter training throughout the off season.

OPCC 1st XI

OLD PAULINE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB

The OPAFC is excited to continue building on the success of recent years as it enters its 30th anniversary season. We would welcome recent leavers and graduates to become involved and look forward to working more closely with the School to support the lifelong SPS journey.

The 1st XI is coming into the new season with momentum and a squad with recent additions, having missed out on promotion by one place, but with an all-important trophy in the cabinet. This season promotion is the optimistic aim. Stay tuned for an exciting season, the squad is on the up and looking forward to the possibility of a harder challenge in seasons to come!

After the success of the COVID football season the 2nd XI found itself on the receiving end of double promotion, moving up to the giddy heights of 3 South. After an initial acclimatisation period as the squad was rejigged, the team began the slow climb up the table, finally finishing 4th. Due to restructuring, it finds itself in 2 South for the 2022/23 Season. With the squad bolstered over the summer period – and whisper it quietly – but there is hope that a title challenge can be mounted coupled with a cup run. Any trophy will result in a repeat of the 2020/21 end of season bus tour – a day for the ages.

In a successful first season back for the 3rd XI, the team has gone from strength to strength. With a significant recruitment and support from the teams above, the 3rd XI quickly moved beyond its initial ambition of simply fielding 11 players each week and has become a fully-fledged 20-man squad. Having not played together before the team more than held its own in the league, finishing in a respectable mid-table position and competing in two cup competitions. The aims for next season are to increase the number of Old Paulines playing each week and to move up the table towards promotion.

The OPAFC Vets entered two Champions League format cup competitions this season. And indeed, the Champions League comparison held true. The Vets – elegant footballers to a man, if perhaps a yard short of the pace of their youth – played total football as they progressed rapidly through the rounds, reaching as far as the semi-final in the Sunday Cup. Next season they look to progress even further.

PAULINE CONTINUUM CYCLING

Pauline Continuum Cycling began last September with a successful launch event at school with huge backing from Hugh Roberts (1969-74), Sweetspot and The Tour of Britain.

Since then, we have had some social rides to Windsor, Richmond Park and Box Hill featuring OPs, staff and parents. From September we are planning to do more regular (ability grouped) rides from school utilising Richmond Park, online group "Zwift" rides in the Winter around a few larger events for charity.

The first of these takes place on Sunday 11th September in support of Mary's Meals. Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future. 6 PCC members will travel to the Isle of Wight and ride the Tour of Britain final stage course on closed roads with former professional cyclist, Dan Martin, before watching the end of the professional race. We still have a small number of places so, if you want to ride, get in touch. We will soon be releasing a small batch of cycling jerseys, price TBC.

To become involved, follow Pauline Continuum Cycling on Strava and Instagram or email Luke Warriner: ldw@stpaulsschool.org.uk

OLD PAULINE FOOTBALL CLUB

Overseen by Club Captain Rob Rayner (1999-04), a successful season on and off the field saw promotion for our 1st XV, a cup final for the Vets ‘B XV’, and a general increase in playing numbers across the club that led to the fulfilment of regular 2nd XV fixtures.

With the 1st XV playing in ‘Surrey 4’, we faced regular foes in Streatham and Croydon, Harlequin Amateurs and Old Hamptonians – finishing second in the league and gaining promotion. Only three games were lost all season with a particular highlight being a convincing win against Harlequins.

Consistency in selection was a major factor. A strong player base has emerged, setting the club up well for the 2022/23 season. Underpinned by the arrival of the likes of Tom and James Elway, Theo Moreland and James Evans, we can again look forward to challenging for a promotion place in our new league. With strength in depth (and hopefully a few selection headaches), the playing side of the club is in rude health, boding well for the future. The hope now is that we can continue to increase the number of players available each week by welcoming more current and future Old Paulines into the fold.

Off the pitch, the social side of the club has also bounced back strongly from the uncertainties brought about by ‘lockdown’ with the club able to honour our commitment to raise £5,000 for the Atlas Foundation despite the cancellation of our tour to South Africa. Underpinning the true values of the club, there is a fantastic bond between players with events such as the club ‘Nativity’, various ‘themed’ nights out taking place across the season, including the 1st Team’s promotion dinner.

This was no more evident than at the club’s 150th Anniversary Dinner in March. Hosted at ‘The Home of Rugby’ to celebrate 150 years since becoming one of the founding members of the RFU, Old Pauline players past and present reunited to regale in former glories – stories of last-ditch tackles and long-standing injuries going late into the night. Attended by RFU President Jeff Blackett and Surrey Rugby representatives, the rich heritage of the club was on display throughout. A huge thanks to the organisation committee led by Rob Rayner, to make this such a memorable occasion, particularly with added complexity of COVID.