The Tonbridgian, Summer 2023 by Tonbridge School

A typical Field Day for the Tonbridgian editorial team!

No. 799

THE TONBRIDGIAN SUMMER TERM 2023 CONTENTS 2 20 22 26 28 36 42 46 48 50 56

Features Puzzles Academic Cookery School Music Drama Art Community Action Green Committee Combined Cadet Force Sport

EDITORS Ben Barber, Fergus Butler-Gallie

EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Birch (MH5) Robin Docherty (PS5) Harry French (PH5) Ollie Grant (PS5) Archie Heslop (MH5) Finlay Horner (MH5) Alex MacPherson (FH5) Ben Morrison (FH5) George Thomas (CH5) Oli Bamford (JH4) Jean Van der Spuy (FH4) Wilf Stokhuyzen (JH4) Sam Pike (JH4)

ORIGINATION & COVER DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tim Barber

Clair Miller, Emma Sim, Russell Harper

With thanks to: James Fisher, Beverly Matthews, Helen Precious, Elizabeth Hevey

PRINTED BY Gemini Press, Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex

FEATURES A provoking cocktail of comedy and humanity, a review of Fergus Butler-Gallie’s Touching Cloth. Earlier this year Fr Fergus Butler-Gallie released a new book entitled Touching Cloth. The initial reviews from less prolific periodicals were positive, generating the interest of The Tonbridgian team. Jean Van der Spuy (FH) sets out to investigate how truthful these appraisals really are.

ho is Fergus Butler-Gallie? Ask that question to a current Tonbridgian and they might point to the bearded man who gives resonating sermons and pensive prayers; the man whose voice ricochets off the Chapel walls, infiltrating and invigorating the minds of half-asleep Novi still slightly tired from dormitory shenanigans. However, such a Tonbridgian might be surprised to learn about the Assistant Chaplain’s literary side. Father Butler-Gallie is one of journalism’s most trusted ecclesiastic correspondents having produced a wide variety of articles for The Times, The Independent and The Guardian. He is also no stranger to longer writing formats though, having released a handful of publications centred on the Church. Not only does he write but he has been frequently lauded for his literature with his pieces A Field Guide to the English Clergy and Priest de la Resistance winning the Times and Mail on Sunday Book of the Year and the Spectator Book of the Year respectively.

Following the release of Father Butler-Gallie’s new book earlier this year, Touching Cloth - Confessions and Communions of a Young Priest, the pressure was on to see if our resident reverend had what it takes to match the success of his previous releases. Now The Times, The Literary Review and The Guardian are all fantastic institutions, and their positive receptions of Touching Cloth should be respected but it has been almost universally agreed that no author may rest on their laurels until they have received a satisfactory review from West-Kent’s most dedicated publication, The Tonbridgian. Thankfully, the ex-Parksidian fails to disappoint in his eccentric collection of clerical anecdotes structured around important dates in the Christian calendar. Gothic organ music, black clothing, Heaven and Hell – it is easy for onlookers to see religion as a serious business though in reality, comedy is a defining factor

Touching Cloth Review of faith. As perfect as God may be, many believers openly accept life’s absurdities. Butler-Gallie recognises the general humour of living, with comedy placing itself at the heart of Touching Cloth. In the author’s note, our writer explicitly singles out St Laurence as one of his favourite saints chiefly because of his amused attitude when faced with a flamed execution. What ensues are tales which include but are not limited to: a cannabis hotboxing incident that took place during funeral rites in a Liverpudlian residence, the weird and wonderous donations offered by the public during the harvest season or the ups and downs which follow the sporting of priestly dress. In fact, very few critique Father ButlerGallie’s sense of humour, rather, the negative reviews online mainly stem from his often-lackadaisical approach to faith. However, one could argue that, despite his comicality, the chaplain never loses sight of solemnity. Stories about funerals inspire a conversation on how being ordained changes your attitude to death or how the simple act of a person asking him to say a prayer can offer so much happiness and introspection. The chaplain doesn’t shy away from discussing his difficulties with employment in ministry or the fact that a minority of clerics are prone to be ‘manipulative and abusive, uninterested and duplicitous’. Not only does Father Butler-Gallie succeed in his comedy but the book also possesses strengths in its humanism. Whether it’s the late Marge ‘a great Evertonian bumper of generous humanity’ or unsophisticated children at Sunday School, the author demonstrates a clear love for the innate chaos and bliss which comes part and parcel with living. Not only does he share this affection for the lives of other people, but Butler-Gallie does a skilful job of humanising the clergy. Many religious people might experience a sense of inferiority when faced with someone more devoted to their faith than they are. Yet the author openly announces his flaws throughout the text, expressing repeatedly his capacity to make mistakes. He has favourite hymns, strong passions for food and drink and at times can find himself ‘secretly cheering the misfortune of some imagined enemy’ as we sometimes do. Touching Cloth is a stark reminder to Christians that no person, not even a priest, has pristine language, never fails Lent or, in general, is perfect. Written by a priest about his experiences with religion, you might think that this publication is only there to be consumed by the pious. Indeed, while there is a strong emphasis placed on faith, this book is wholly accessible to anybody, no matter their belief. Butler-Gallie’s tone is conversational, if there are holy terms or references that the average person might not understand, he is not afraid to footnote these ideas with a quick explanation. Like other collections of stories, the book serves the unappreciated purpose of offering insight into the life and sentiments of a person who we rarely interact with,

insight not directed at Christians only, but towards those from all walks of life. Indeed, no work of literature is perfect. For all of Touching Cloth’s high points, it is not without its shortcomings. Fr Fergus’ informal language can occasionally dominate the narrative resulting in a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere within the text. Furthermore, it could be argued that many of his stories do push the abstract boundary of wholesomeness as to perhaps keep the book off the hands of students in Tonbridge’s bottom two year groups. As you read Touching Cloth, each chapter might feel slightly disjointed. However, any disunity is eventually put to rest through the piece’s well-written epilogue. In one of his only demonstrations of opinion in the text, Butler-Gallie establishes his views on the church’s most valuable asset: people. For all its ‘pomp or… promotions’, no matter how gold-swirled or grandiose a place of worship may be, human beings will always be religion’s greatest treasure. There is an African proverb which states that ‘the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth’. Fr Fergus appreciates the need for the modern church to provide that inclusivity, both in his language and his acknowledgement of the real-world challenges that torment many. The Tonbridgian approves.

FEATURES

The 100-Word Debate: Should TikTok be banned? Wilf Stokhuyzen (JH) and Sam Pike (JH) lock horns over whether or not TikTok should be banned in this term’s 100-Word Debate (the more observant of you will notice that they have been liberal with the rules)… on one’s ‘For You’ page, keeping viewers up to date with what’s going on around them in an age where most young people are reluctant to pick up a newspaper. Furthermore, the app is also instrumental in the growth in businesses and sports teams such as Wrexham who have gained 1.3 million followers and a sponsorship with TikTok which has helped the club grow and sell more merchandise.

ikTok in the last few years has blown up and you would struggle to find anyone who hasn’t heard of it or doesn’t have it downloaded. In recent months, TikTok has been placed under more and more scrutiny so we have decided to hash it out and try and come to some sort of conclusion. WS: Yes it should be banned. Not only is TikTok itself a waste of time where you mindlessly watch videos, but it dramatically affects your attention span. You often see these TikTok users walking like zombies around school all clumped together not knowing where they’re supposed to be going, with their mind reflecting on a funny meme of a monkey having a bath. TikTok also eats up your sleep with some students sending TikToks to each other at four in the morning which doesn’t bode well for any lessons periods 1 to 5. SP: On the other hand, TikTok has the capacity to produce a Utopia of educational and informative content. Many creators join TikTok to educate viewers about various matters from History to Science. For example, the ‘Roadman Scientist’ who teaches viewers about Chemistry by posting videos of himself doing homemade practicals in a comedic and engaging way. TikTok is also useful as it allows you to efficiently access news on the app. Current affairs will always seem to pop up

WS: For some people it may be their source of information which is flawed for two reasons: 1) Why not go onto a proper news site if you want to find out the current affairs instead of being drawn down the rabbit hole that TikTok tries to take you down. 2) TikTok often misdirects the viewers as their ‘news sources’ are trying to grab your attention so would rather create a slightly abridged piece of the news rather than the absolute facts. Furthermore, imagine your friend says: “Hey look at this crazy breaking news on TikTok!!”; you go over and have a look and maybe reply: “Wow!” and then return and sit down. But that friend who has just shown you that TikTok is now scrolling and scrolling and thus neglecting potential social situations which would be easily avoided if TikTok was banned. SP: After period 7 on a Wednesday, we all can feel a little moody. Maybe Swales has set you a 30 marker or you have a shed load of Doc’s MCQs due in the next day. Being curled up in bed and having a scroll on TikTok is a perfect way to relieve the stress and boost your morale in order to be in a more positive frame of mind to be able to do your prep for tomorrow. Some people may say that you can become a ‘TikTok zombie’ when you download the app, however, you can easily overcome this hurdle by putting a screen time limit on TikTok to keep you off the app if the addiction is becoming excessive. WS: This is the issue with TikTok: you lull yourself into a feeling that you are ‘relaxing’ when you are slowly frying your brain and when the time comes when you must demolish that 30 marker your attention span goes out the window and the task becomes Herculean. You spoke of reducing the screen time on TikTok but why not stop it altogether. TikTok is like any other drug, and you wouldn’t give an addict dribs and drabs of cocaine because they would just crave more and more. Finally, TikTok claims to be a children’s app but many of the

The 100-Word Debate: Should TikTok be banned?

things that are released on the app are not suitable at all therefore at the minimum TikTok should be banned for those under sixteen. SP: The app promotes positivity (most of the time), with many dancing/singing trends alongside harmless comedic content for all to enjoy. For those saying that sometimes it gets out of hand, there’s a 12-plus age limit for a reason, just in case you do come across some rather rogue HStikkytokky content. However, unless you are interacting with harmful content and controversial creators then you won’t have to worry about seeing these things. Even if this age limit seems a little too young for you, then efforts can easily be made to increase it, therefore the idea that the whole app should be deleted on this matter I would say is simply preposterous.

Wrexham FC have gained 1.3 million followers on TikTok

WS: As mentioned previously this was but one reason why it should be deleted but I wouldn’t expect you to know that given how you can only focus for a limited time of 3 minutes 20 seconds. Another argument is that many believe that the company that controls TikTok are collecting data on us, and this has already posed problems for governments around the world but doesn’t bother most TikTok users in the slightest. One anonymous TikTok user said that: “it doesn’t really matter because realistically it’s not like they’re going to come round your house and kill you”. This view clearly lacks any comprehension of the issues surrounding data collection and how we can start to lack any privacy. Once again, another vital flaw of TikTok. SP: Even if this wasn’t the crux of your argument, a weak point such as this is not worth the effort it took to type it. Leaving this to one side and moving on to your other point that the app is stealing your data, I think it is not as it may seem. When one joins TikTok, they personally give consent to the app collecting certain information about yourself to personalise advertisements and mould your ‘for you page’ for enhanced enjoyment. Therefore, if you are complaining about them ‘stealing your data’ then it’s not like you are oblivious to this, since you are presented with their terms and conditions the moment you download TikTok. Some strong points from both sides – clearly tensions are high in the Judde House Lower Sixth. Has Sam or Wilf come out on top?

FEATURES

Smartphone v Sport An abridged version of this article first featured in The Sunday Times on Sunday 23rd April, courtesy of our very own master-in-charge of Cricket, Rob Stephen (RJMS). This article is based on part of his dissertation on the MA Leadership in Sport at the Institute of Sports Humanities. The Sunday Times April 23, 2023 19

SMARTPHONE

ILLUSTRATION: TONY BELL

Emma Raducanu’s ditching of her social media account should be copied by more than just elite-level athletes for major gain, argues Rob Stephen

v SPORT

t is significant that Emma Raducanu has deleted Instagram from her phone: presumably she worked out that worrying about how her last post was received and what her next post would be is not compatible with creating the space she needs to lose herself in her tennis. If Raducanu felt the lure of a social media site distracting her from her brilliance on the court, what is the ceaseless advance of meaningless online junk doing to everyone else? There is now an unavoidable struggle between the real and online worlds, between physical and virtual games, and so between real sport and the addictive but unfulfilling distractions permanently available on our smartphones. It’s time to fight back.

We need actively to push back against the creeping, purposeless and [literally] depressing march of smartphone addiction. Help is at hand because sport is our best ally. Not so long ago it sounded a bit old-fashioned to argue that playing sport is good for you. But, in the midst of an epidemic of digital addiction, we need sport today more than ever.

There is an unavoidable struggle between real and online worlds

Rob Stephen teaches Classics and is Master in Charge of Cricket at Tonbridge School. This article is based on his dissertation for the MA Leadership in Sport at the Institute of Sports Humanities. For more information, visit www.sportshumanities.org

he battle is raging and it’s time to fight back. There is now an unavoidable struggle between the real and online worlds, between physical and virtual games – and so between real sport and the addictive but unfulfilling distractions permanently available on our smartphones. We need actively to push back against the creeping, purposeless and (literally) depressing march of smartphone addiction. Help is at hand because sport is our best ally. Not so long ago it sounded a bit oldfashioned, even Victorian, to argue that playing sport is good for you. But, in the midst of an epidemic of digital addiction, we need sport today more than ever. The underlying problem is already severe and rapidly getting worse. Young people are now ‘playing’ far less than they used to, engaging in less sport and being less physically active. A study last year suggested that only 27% of children play outside today, down from an estimated 80% for older generations.

The underlying problem is already severe and getting worse. Young people are now ‘playing’ far less than they used to, engaging in less sport and being less physically active. A study last year suggested that only 27% of children play outside today, down from an estimated 80% for older generations. If fear of injuries and accidents are squeezing outdoor play then it’s another example of humans being bad risk-assessors. The far greater risk is staying home parked on the opiates of social media. The online world might be free from obvious physical and ‘healthy’ risks but it is laden with hidden and unhealthy ones. The coroner’s report at the Molly Russell inquest added harrowing testimony to the increasingly obvious fact that social media can lead young people towards loneliness and self-loathing: “It is likely that the material viewed [on various online sites] by Molly contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.” The Times recently reported that, over the course of a month, the average person is scrolling through online content equivalent to the height of the Shard; this aligns with a study by the psychologist Jean Twenge which suggested that new media were taking up an average of six hours a day of young people’s leisure time. Were that time spent in the deliberate practice of a skill, in accordance with Anders Ericsson’s “10,000 hours” hypothesis, a world-class level could be attained in roughly four and a half years. Twenge’s research also explores the contributing factors to young people getting fewer than seven hours of sleep and found that the two most significant negative factors were the use of social media and spending more than three hours a day on electronic devices. And the activities most likely to result in good sleep? Sport and exercise. Persistent fatigue leads us to choose the path of least resistance — and hence another lazy scroll through Continued on page 20 →

If fear of injuries and accidents is squeezing outdoor play then it’s another example of humans being bad risk-assessors. The far greater risk is staying home parked on the opiates of social media. The online world might be free from obvious physical and ‘healthy’ risks but it is laden with hidden and unhealthy ones. The coroner’s report at the Molly Russell inquest added harrowing testimony to the increasingly obvious fact that social media can lead young people towards miserable loneliness and self-loathing: ‘It is likely that the material viewed [on various online sites] by Molly contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.’

Tech companies are slyly winning the battle for attention. The Times recently reported that, over the course of a month, the average person is scrolling through online content equivalent to the height of the Shard; this aligns with a study by the psychologist Jean Twenge which suggested that new media were taking up an average of six hours a day of young people’s leisure time. Were that time spent in the deliberate practice of a skill, in accordance with Anders Ericsson’s “10,000 hours” hypothesis, a world-class level could be attained in roughly four-and-a-half years. So where are children finding the time? The amount of lesson-time has not changed, nor has the need to eat nor the requirement to sleep. At the same time, basic literacy is compromised, eating habits are deteriorating and we are becoming increasingly sleep-deprived. It takes no great leap of the imagination to conclude that smartphones are chipping away at vital and healthy habits, replacing them with the equivalent of psychological popcorn – always on (and in) hand, never fulfilling. The era of the smartphone, which became ubiquitous around 2012, has seen a corresponding rise in anxiety and depression. Through technological ‘progress’ we have enabled a leaderless technocracy and left children

Smartphone v Sport to grow up in it – often with great difficulty. Metaphorical popcorn is readily available everywhere but we expect children somehow to identify it as a problem, know how much is good for them and to police their intake themselves. Twenge’s research also explores the contributing factors to young people getting fewer than seven hours of sleep and found that the two most significant negative factors were the use of social media every day and spending more than three hours a day on electronic devices. And the activities most likely to result in good sleep? Sport and exercise. It’s an unvirtuous circle. Poor sleep caused by interminable smartphone use exacerbates reluctance to engage physically with the real world, so instead people retreat back to their virtual wasteland and the cycle continues: the more time they spend on devices, the worse they sleep and the less they physically play. Everyone knows that willpower decreases with tiredness. Persistent fatigue leads us to choose the path of least resistance – and hence another lazy scroll through whatever is being pushed at you by the algorithm: another dopamine hit, though even duller than the last one. It’s comparable to how junk food makes us crave more of it despite providing us with very little real nutritional value. Food campaigner Henry Dimbleby calls it the ‘junk food cycle’; we might call this the ‘junk life cycle’. Parents and teachers can feel themselves in a bind: if we treat smartphones and social media as the forbidden fruit and ban them, we are in danger of creating an environment where young people may feel less empowered over their own lives and ultimately crave time on their smartphones even more. So we should focus on making the case for the ‘pull’ of the real world, alongside subtly limiting the excesses of the virtual one. A grounding in sport can offer a route out, a kind of sanctuary. Sport, of course, is far from the only solution. Many of sport’s feel-good factors are present in other settings – a choir or a theatre company is just as collaborative as a sports team. But, given the particular entwined problems caused by digital addiction – declining levels of mental and physical fitness – sport offers the rare combination of physical expressiveness combined with focus and concentration, as well as individual skill acquisition within a collaborative setting.

highest correlation with fulfilment. Conversely, ‘passive leisure’ – such as social media and the internet – is being linked more and more with unhappiness. The anthropologist Melvin Konner argues that ‘play is the central paradox of evolution’. Despite serving no definitive purpose, play is natural, instinctive and existence-affirming, with physical, social and emotional benefits as happy by-products further down the line. Do we really want that play instinct to be squashed by a flat glass screen? Early exposure to sport within educational settings can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fall in love with something positively real from a young age. A rounded education supports healthy, balanced lives, and that includes preparing people not just for a life of work but also a life of play – indeed the two are connected as the highest achievers often retain a spirit of play within their work. Mike Brearley once reflected that he ‘needed to be more of a child in order to be more of an adult.’ Above all, the key differentiator among fulfilled and successful people in the future is likely to be their ability to become genuinely and positively absorbed in an activity, a state which Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined as the ‘flow experience’ or ‘the zone’. He described the zone as when ‘attention becomes ordered, there is no space for irrelevant feelings, self-consciousness disappears and any sense of time is distorted.’ Those who can freely enter this space will be the winners of tomorrow; by this point, you’ll be unsurprised to read that Csikszentmihalyi found sport and games to be at the top of the list for flow-inducing activities. It is significant that Emma Raducanu has deleted Instagram from her phone: presumably she worked out that worrying about how her last post was received and what her next post would be is not compatible with creating the space she needs to lose herself in her tennis. If Raducanu felt the lure of a social media site distracting her from her brilliance on the court, what is the ceaseless advance of meaningless online junk doing to everyone else?

As a teacher, I see how young people gain confidence and expressiveness from immersion in sport. That observation is aligned with academic research suggesting that sport is the activity which has the

FEATURES

The Growth of Women’s Football Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer, Lucy Shackleton (LHS) looks at the growth of the women’s game.

rowing-up, football was not on offer at my school, I didn’t support a club, and at best my interest went as far as following England’s progress at the Euros and World Cup, sharing with the rest of the nation in the biennial disappointment of another semi-final defeat or worse. Even my baptism to the live game aged 26, watching Charlton Athletic play Exeter City at the Valley, failed to light a fire within me despite two overhead goal-scoring kicks. Hardly glowing credentials, you might say, for wanting to pen an article about the beautiful game. Think back to last August, however, and the milestone achievement of England women’s glorious win over Germany at Wembley, in the Euro 22 final, in front of a crowd of 87 000 - that is what has sparked my interest. The nation’s spirits were lifted by Ella Toone’s sublime second-half goal followed by the superb strike by Chloe Kelly in the 110th minute to break the 1-1 deadlock and seal a deserved victory for the Lionesses. This high point for professional women’s football, which between 1921 to 1969 was banned by the FA, has been pivotal in setting in motion a change for the next generation, girls and boys, and a growing appetite for the women’s game. The ripples of change have even reached my household. Posters of Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby adorn my daughter’s bedroom. Football might not have been part of my PE curriculum, but it is at my daughter’s school where she plays in her primary school league.

There have been frequent defeats but when the win finally came, jubilation. Beth Mead features in my son’s list of top footballers, and I never imagined that I would help him fashion a clay model of Beth for a school project – sadly, the cracks in her body reveal more than an ACL injury to contend with. Williamson, Mead, Bronze, Earps, Bright, now all household names, show the depth of talent which has brought the women’s game into the spotlight and who are inspiring an interest amongst the younger generation. Their visibility through commercial deals, campaigns and interviews is helping to put the women’s game in the consciousness of those who have previously followed the men’s game. Additionally, women’s football is receiving more airtime with the BBC and Sky both having the rights for broadcasting the Women’s Super League. With matches typically attracting an audience of 1 million and as people see they are getting a high-quality game, then these figures will continue to rise. Volkswagen, in conjunction with the German National side, ran a campaign at Euro ‘22 #NotWomen’sFootball aimed at changing perceptions and encouraging debate about gender equality in sport. It is slow-moving, but small signs of progress are evident with more matches being held in main stadia, and some record-breaking attendance figures - a crowd of over 91 000 watched Barcelona beat Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in the quarter finals of the Women’s Champions League in 2022. The influential campaigning of the Lionesses following the Euros has also helped create a legacy to provide more children with access to high-quality sport and activities to increase physical and mental health. On International Women’s Day in March this year, the government set out plans for offering both girls and boys equal access to the same sports in PE and

The Growth of Women’s Football

extra-curricular activities, following on from the FA’s #LetGirlsPlay campaign to change perceptions about the sport and get more girls playing within the school curriculum. Currently, only one third of 5-18-year-old girls have access to footballing opportunities. This investment in sport at school-level, with the confirmation of over £600 million in funding over the next two academic years for the PE and sports premium is well over-due. As well as this legacy, women footballers now provide visibility for the sport which, outside of the US, has traditionally not had strong female representation. As the tennis legend Billie Jean King said: “If you can see it, you can be it”, and by having a powerful presence on the field the likes of Millie Bright and others are aspiring more girls to want to play and to watch matches. The women’s game, naturally, attracts a different type of fan. Football matches have always been a cauldron for fiery passions and an edginess which occasionally bubbles over into anti-social behaviour of a minority of fans; an element of fan confrontation which is rarely on show at rugby or cricket matches. Recent reported incidents of ‘tragedy chanting’ at Premier League games involving Liverpool, where some fans from Chelsea and Man City have sung songs about the Hillsborough disaster creates a vile and angry atmosphere which the Premier League needs to address as a priority. Going with young children to watch Chelsea Women play Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and play Aston Villa at the smaller ground of Kings Meadow, I found the crowd was largely made-up of families and the atmosphere was civil with no confrontational behaviour. As a stray Aston

villa fan, in amongst the stand of Chelsea supporters, cheered Rachel Daly’s goal the reaction was laughter rather than abuse and it can only be a good thing that the women’s game is free of toxic behaviour that has blighted the men’s game. Other differences exist too: the women’s game is slower and not as physical, there’s less diving and arguing with the ref and more of a get-up and play on mentality. But, the prospect of a World Cup summer is manna from heaven for a nation passionate about the game; we all love winners and looking ahead to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins on 20th July, there will be considerable interest from men and women alike in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad to see if they can build on the success of Euro ‘22 and bring home the World Cup. Since April 2021, the Lionesses have been unbeaten until their 2-0 defeat in April this year against Australia, captained by Chelsea’s forward, Sam Kerr. With the loss of Mead, Williamson and Kirby, the starting XI will be very different to the one that won the Euro ‘22. Much will depend on Millie Bright’s return to central defence and whoever Sarina Wiegman will position alongside her to replace Williamson. With former champions the US along with Spain and Germany fancying their chances, England won’t have an easy-ride and there is no home advantage as in Euro 22. What they are not short of is a hunger to win, world-class experience and with a growing fan-base, I, along with many others, will be cheering on this exciting team to reach another milestone in the women’s game.

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Conspiracy Theories Oli Bamford (JH) throws some light on the five most notorious conspiracy theories and why they ever gained traction. Disclaimer: These are not views held by the School; just those of one ‘looney’ who enjoys scepticism. Dear fellow truth-seekers, After much scrolling through Twitter and Reddit, I would like to say I’ve become something of an expert on this topic. Allow me to evaluate my findings:

The moon landings were faked Many Moon-landing conspiracy theories have been proposed, alleging that the landings either did not occur and NASA staff lied, or that the landings did occur but not in the way that has been reported. Conspiracists have focused on perceived gaps or inconsistencies in the historical record of the missions. The foremost idea is that the whole crewed landing program was a hoax from start to end. Some claim that the technology to send men to the Moon was lacking or that the Van Allen radiation belts, solar flares, solar wind, coronal mass ejections and cosmic rays made such a trip impossible.

Why they believe it... 1. The quality of the photographs is implausibly high. 2. There are no stars in any of the photos. 3. There are identical backgrounds in photos which, according to their captions, were taken miles apart. This suggests that a painted background was used. 4. A resident of Perth, Western Australia, Una Ronald, said that for two or three seconds she saw a CocaCola bottle roll across the lower right quadrant of her television screen that was displaying the live broadcast of the Apollo 11 EVA. 5. Who filmed Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon? 6. The astronauts could not have survived the trip because of exposure to radiation from the Van Allen radiation belt and galactic ambient radiation.

Conspiracy Theories 7. The flag placed on the surface by the astronauts fluttered despite there being no wind on the Moon. This suggests that it was filmed on Earth and a breeze caused the flag to flutter. Sibrel said that it may have been caused by indoor fans used to cool the astronauts since their spacesuit cooling systems would have been too heavy on Earth. 8. Footprints in the Moondust are unexpectedly well preserved, despite the lack of moisture. 9. Blueprints and design and development drawings of the machines involved are missing. Apollo 11 data tapes containing telemetry and the high-quality video (before scan conversion from slow-scan TV to standard TV) of the first moonwalk are also missing. Motivations for faking the moon landings... • • •

Space Race NASA funding and prestige Vietnam War

Oli’s Verdict: Believability: 2/10 Reasoning: All these claims have been debunked, and the whole scheme would have been too large scale to keep it a secret for all this time.

The death of HRH Diana, Princess of Wales Although the initial French investigation found that Diana had died as a result of an accident, several conspiracy theories have been raised. Since February 1998, Fayed’s father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, has claimed that the crash was a result of a conspiracy, and later contended that the crash was orchestrated by MI6 on the instructions of the Royal Family. Why they believe it... 1. Diana was pregnant, and Dodi was about to propose. According to Mohamed al-Fayed, MI6 had Diana and Dodi murdered on the order of the Royal Family (specifically Prince Philip) as she was pregnant with Dodi’s child. The pair were also apparently about to announce their engagement, an event that Mohamed claimed was unpalatable to the Royal Family as they ‘could not accept that an Egyptian Muslim could eventually be the stepfather of the future King of England’. And so, MI6 and the ‘Establishment’ allegedly put a special operation into place to have Diana and Dodi killed.

2. The driver was part of the conspiracy. If Mohamed al-Fayed’s claims were to be believed, MI6 conducted a covert operation to have Diana’s car crash. Central to that claim is the theory that Henri Paul, the driver of the car, was an informant for the security services who may even have deliberately caused the crash. Paul was the head of security at the Ritz Hotel in Paris where Diana and Dodi were staying. Suspicious funds in Henri’s bank account, along with testimony from Richard Tomlinson - a former MI6 officer – suggested that Henri was on MI6’s payroll. 3. The Mercedes had been tampered with. Some conspiracy theorists believe the seatbelts in the fateful car were faulty due to sabotage along with the brake wires being cut. 4. Bright flashes and strange cars aided the accident. Several witnesses stated seeing bright flashes around Diana’s car before and after it entered the tunnel. There was also the presence of a white Fiat Uno that suspiciously followed the car into the tunnel and even left forensic evidence on the Mercedes before driving away. Conspiracy theorists have suggested the Fiat was driven by MI6 agents who blinded Henri with a bright flash, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. This is also linked to the idea that the paparazzi conspired to deliberately chase the car to make it crash. 5. Diana’s medics were in on it. One of the biggest claims is that Diana did not die on impact and that her treatment at the scene of the crash was deliberately delayed preventing her from surviving. Diana was treated at the scene

FEATURES for an extended period before she was eventually moved to the hospital. She wasn’t even taken to the nearest one when she was finally moved. Conspiracy theorists believe this combination of events suggests the doctors treating her were in collusion with security services to ensure Diana died that night.

to the claim that the federal government deliberately covered up crucial information in the aftermath of the assassination. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons. Alleged witness intimidation Richard Buyer wrote that many witnesses whose statements pointed to a conspiracy were either ignored or intimidated by the Warren Commission.

Oli’s Verdict:

Witness deaths

Believability: 4/10

Allegations of mysterious or suspicious deaths of witnesses connected with the Kennedy assassination originated with journalist Penn Jones Jr. On the third anniversary of the assassination, Ramparts published an editorial by Jones, along with a handful of articles that he had written earlier for his newspaper, the Midlothian Mirror. Jones reported that there were six men who had met in Jack Ruby’s apartment the night after Ruby shot Oswald. Of the six men, Jones noted that three of them had since died: reporter Jim Koethe, reporter Bill Hunter, and Jack Ruby’s first attorney, Tom Howard. Jones described these three deaths as “mysterious”.

Reasoning: The Queen significantly contributed to Prince Andrew’s ‘out of court’ £12 million settlement for alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old, who knows what else they would do?

JFK Assassination The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, spawned numerous conspiracy theories. These theories allege the involvement of the CIA, the Mafia, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro, the KGB, or some combination of these individuals and entities. The original FBI investigation and Warren Commission report, as well as an alleged “benign CIA cover-up”, have led

Ignored testimony Some researchers assert that witness statements indicating a conspiracy were ignored by the Warren Commission. Josiah Thompson stated that the

Conspiracy Theories Commission ignored the testimony of seven eyewitnesses who said they saw smoke in the vicinity of the grassy knoll at the time of the assassination, as well as an eighth witness who said he smelled gunpowder. Allegations of multiple gunmen The Warren Commission concluded that “three shots were fired from the Texas School Book Depository in a time period ranging from approximately 4.8 to in excess of 7 seconds.” Some assassination researchers, including Josiah Thompson and Anthony Summers, dispute the Commission’s findings. They point to evidence that brings into question the number of shots fired, the origin of the shots, and Oswald’s ability to accurately fire three shots in such a short amount of time from such a rifle. These researchers suggest that multiple gunmen were involved. Limousine Driver Behold a Pale Horse (1991) by William Cooper alleges that Kennedy was shot by the presidential limousine’s driver, Secret Service agent William Greer. In the Zapruder film, Greer can be seen turning to his right and looking backwards, just before speeding away from Dealey Plaza. Secret Service agent Mortal Error: The Shot That Killed JFK (1992) by Bonar Menninger alleges that while Oswald did attempt to assassinate JFK and did succeed in wounding him, the fatal shot was accidentally fired by Secret Service agent George Hickey, (pictured here) who was riding in the Secret Service follow-up car directly behind the presidential limousine. The theory alleges that after the first two shots were fired the motorcade sped up while Hickey was attempting to respond to Oswald’s shots, and he lost his balance and accidentally pulled the trigger of his AR-15 and the shot fatally hit JFK. Hickey’s testimony says otherwise: “At the end of the last report (shot) I reached to the bottom of the car and picked up the AR 15 rifle, cocked and loaded it, and turned to the rear.”

Oli’s Verdict: Believability: 8/10 Reasoning: The royal family is dodgy but the US government is even more dodgy

Flat Earth Theory Modern Flat Earth beliefs are promoted by organizations and individuals advocating that the Earth is flat while denying the Earth’s sphericity, contrary to over two

millennia of scientific consensus. Flat Earth beliefs are pseudoscience; the hypotheses and assertions are not based on scientific knowledge. Flat Earth advocates are classified by experts in philosophy and physics as science deniers. Flat Earth groups of the modern era date from the middle of the 20th century; some adherents are serious, and some are not. Those who are serious are often motivated by religion or conspiracy theories. Through the use of social media, Flat Earth theories have been increasingly espoused and promoted by individuals unaffiliated with larger groups. Many believers make use of social media to spread their views. Let’s look at ten classic Flat Earth talking points. 1. Things fall because of density and buoyancy, not gravity. Often saying objects fall because they are denser than the air below them. 2. I shouldn’t be able to see this thing if the earth is round, but I do, therefore the earth is flat. Often quoting the measurement of 8 inches per square mile for the curvature of the earth which came from the book Zetetic Astronomy (1981). 3. Water doesn’t curve, water finds its own level. 4. How can our atmosphere be next to a vacuum? 5. How can water stick to a spinning ball? Especially one that is spinning at 1,000 mph!

FEATURES 6. Moonlight is cold. 7. Rivers can’t flow uphill. 8. How is the earth closer to the sun in the winter? 9. You believe in scientism! 10. You’ve been indoctrinated/brainwashed by the government/schools/NASA/the Freemasons/ Hollywood. Motivations for the Flat Earth theory... • •

Money for the deniers Scepticism of authority and science

Oli’s Verdict: Believability: 0/10 Reasoning: I believe this is far beyond scepticism. Healthy scepticism is good for society, but an outright denial of science would become quite detrimental.

9/11: inside job or hoax? September marks the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

There are some however who do not believe the official story of events, shrouding the day in a fog of suspicion and doubt. Whilst some theories push the limits of belief casting blame on shape-shifting aliens or asking us to consider whether the planes were in fact ‘missiles surrounded by holograms made to look like planes’, other theories do raise a few eyebrows. Here, I will take a look at the most compelling theories. Why they believe it... 1. The Twin Towers were brought down by explosives, not planes. Within just a few hours of the attacks on the Twin Towers, perhaps the most well-known of all the theories had already surfaced in an Internet chat room. The author of that post likened the collapse of the North and South Towers to an act of controlled demolition due to the way the buildings fell so quickly and perfectly into their own footprint. After the dust had settled, theorists raised further evidence in the form of witness testimonies, citing reports of explosions being heard before the Towers collapsed and debris visibly shooting out from the lower levels of the buildings. When the official report stated the Towers fell due to severe structural damage caused by the planes and resulting fires, conspiracy theorists or ‘truthers’ as they are otherwise known, argued the fires did not burn for

Conspiracy Theories long enough (56 minutes in the case of the South Tower) to cause the catastrophic collapses or jet fuel wouldn’t have been able to melt the metal beams. The melting point of steel is 1510°C but the temperature at which jet fuel burns is between 426.6°C and 815.5°C… 2. The Pentagon was hit by a missile – not by American Airlines Flight 77. Early video footage and photos taken from the scene did not seem to show much evidence of plane wreckage. Theorists maintain this was evidence that the Pentagon was not struck by Flight 77, but by a missile or unmanned drone instead. They also argue that the structural damage to the building was too minor to have been made by a commercial airliner and question why the plane (piloted by an amateur) was even allowed to crash into the headquarters of the United States Department of Defence. 3. Follow the money The day before the 9/11 attack, former Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld admitted the Pentagon managed to somehow lose $2.3 trillion from its budget. This would have been a massive story during that time, but it was completely forgotten the next day as the entire world witnessed the attacks on the Twin Towers. Coincidence? I think not. 4. United Airlines Flight 93 was shot down by a US fighter pilot According to official reports, the passengers onboard Flight 93 attempted to take back the plane from the hijackers and the subsequent struggle caused the aircraft to crash into an open field in Pennsylvania. As with the Pentagon attack, theorists state that little plane wreckage was actually discovered in the field and the crash site itself was too small for an airliner that size, arguing instead that the plane was shot down by the military and so it disintegrated over a larger area. 5. The United States government knew about the attacks and stood the military down A common belief amongst ‘truthers’ is that the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) deliberately ordered their fighter jets to stand down and allow the hijacked planes to reach their targets. America seemingly had the most powerful air force in the world but failed to intercept any of the planes that day, which theorists believe is an indication of a government conspiracy to let the attacks go ahead. Why would they do such a thing? Conspiracy theorists believe that the government wanted to use the attacks to justify an invasion on Iraq and Afghanistan to secure oil interests.

6. Insider traders knew about the attacks In the days preceding the attacks, an ‘extraordinary’ amount of put options (investments that pay off only when a stock drops in price) were placed on the stocks of two airlines – American and United, which happened to be the airlines hijacked during 9/11. As such, some theorists believe that traders had been given advance warning of the attacks and were cashing in on the tragedy. Motivations... False Flag Conspiracy theorists often point to Operation Northwoods as a model for the 9/11 attacks, theorizing the attacks were carried out by the U.S. government as a false flag operation and then blamed on Islamic extremists, which would then provide a justification for an invasion against Iraq and Afghanistan. New World Order Alex Jones and other personalities hold that 9/11 was initiated by a disparate variety of banking, corporate, globalization, and military interests for the purpose of creating a globalist government. Hide the money What’s the best way to hide losing $2.3 trillion? Stage a terrorist attack. Scare People Bush used the fear of 9/11 to garner support. Control Governments using crises to have stricter security and gain more control over the population. Sound familiar?

Oli’s Verdict: Believability 7/10 Reasoning: I’m most convinced by the argument that the US government knew about it in some way before the attack and thought it was the best way to distract the public from the sudden loss of $2.3 trillion and also to gain more control.

FEATURES

So-and So’s Bookshelf Another look at who’s been reading what during the Lent Term.

Rob Stephen

Teacher of Classics

The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks

Timing can be everything when it comes to a message. I stumbled upon David Brooks’ work when I was wondering what was next for me and The Second Mountain resonated deeply: without having necessarily realised it, I was at the foot of my own second mountain. It can quite often be only on the way down from the top of one ‘mountain’ that one can appreciate the experience for what it is: firstly, it was never about the peak but all about the climb; secondly, the totally rational and natural idea that you’ll be able to sit back and live a happily fulfilled life once you’re reached that peak is wrong; and thirdly, with the experience of that first climb, you can better choose your next summit(s) to climb. The Second Mountain is a spiritually enriching book which deals with the abundant challenges which we face itoday.

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly by John Kay

Humans were never simple beings and the world was never a straightforward place to navigate; anyone who denies either of these assertions is either lying or deluded. Alongside Ed Smith’s Luck which sets out the powerful role which the goddess Fortuna plays in our lives, John Kay’s Obliquity studies the other side of the coin: more often than not, if you try to tackle something head on and set yourself unshakeably on that path, the target will have moved or obstacles will have appeared in your way. There is no one route to any given destination and just because one route worked for one person absolutely does not mean it will work for a different person at a different time. We love to create the narrative of ‘destiny’ after an event but such a narrative denies us the humility to acknowledge that often it is not the plan in the first place which led us to achieve our destiny but a flexible approach alongside a significant portion of luck. As Daniel Gilbert puts it, more often than not we ‘Stumble Upon Happiness’. Kay’s key argument is that one should focus on the journey: the goals – whether or not they’re the same as when you set out – will take care of themselves.

Jeremy King

Clytemnestra

Teacher of Maths

by Constanza Casati If timing can be important, so too can the simple choice of a topic. Told from the point of view of Clytemnestra, sister of Helen and wife of Agamemnon, Casati paints a vivid and embellished picture of the mythology which led to the Trojan War and its aftermath. The fact that Clytemnestra was an active figure at the start and end of the story means that there is no need at all to justify taking on the story from her perspective: in very different ways, Clytemnestra played her part in the departure of the fleet for Troy from Aulis and Agamemnon’s end. Littered with accurate cultural and societal representations, Casati provides a genuinely new perspective on one of the greatest tales ever told. An engrossing and fascinating read, though the choice of the narrative’s endpoint may be considered by some a little distorting.

Egil’s Saga,

Penguin Classics All the Icelandic sagas are worth reading – full of family feuds, told with a surprisingly modern sense of humour. Written in the 12th century, sagas are historical novels based on real people and events from earlier centuries. Egil is a farmer and poet, turned warrior. His adventures take him to Norway and to England, where he fights as a mercenary for King Athelstan. You can visit Egil’s farm at Borg in Iceland, and still see the mound where he

So-and So’s Bookshelf buried his father and his young son. Conversely, Egil might well have gone shopping in the houses reconstructed in the Jorvik Centre in York. Murder, mayhem and alliterative poetry – something for everyone. Read it in the Penguin translation if you do not fancy tackling the Old Icelandic original.

Where the Shadows Lie by Michael Ridpath

Another book set in Iceland, this time in the 21st century. Magnus is an American detective with Icelandic parents. He is seconded to Reykjavik where they lack experience in dealing with homicide. This is the first book in a series of murder mysteries prompted by his arrival. Tolkien fans may recognise the title, and they will not be disappointed. J.R.R. is accused of historic plagiarism, and The Lord of the Rings (another of my favourite books) is one key to solving the murder. If you have travelled in Iceland, you will enjoy recognising the places that feature in this book. And if you have not been to Iceland, it will whet your appetite for visiting that glorious scenery – the perfect backdrop for murder.

understanding of the effects of wind, sand, soil settlement, heat, or snow. I was particularly interested in the collapse of the dome at the C.W. Post College of Long Island University. This chapter gave insight into how a dome that met and exceeded code standards could still collapse because of a failure to anticipate natural conditions. The assumption behind the design was that snow on the roof would be uniformly spread. On the day of its collapse in 1978, an east wind blew snow in huge drifts onto one side of the dome, stressing it beyond design limits. That, as well as the natural lifting effect caused by wind passing over the top of a dome caused the structure to fail. Although the total snow load was one-quarter of the maximum, the fact that it was concentrated on less than one-third of the dome’s structure, caused the dome to collapse. I have to admit, I cannot match the other Heads of School in terms of interesting recommendations, so am now handing over to Robert Adams (Sc), Head of Reading, for two of his favourite books:

Robert Adams (Sc) Head of Reading

The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Not all good books are set in Iceland; some go further afield. Planet Earth is demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Arthur Dent is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, who turns out to be from another planet. So begins a series of bizarre adventures for the bewildered Arthur, helped only by The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – a pocket-sized electronic book. Douglas Adams wrote his book in the 1970s, when they still thought digital watches were a neat idea, and the idea of carrying an encyclopedia in our pockets was the stuff of science fiction. The setting is dated but the humour is still fresh, if sometimes surreal. My favourite character in fiction must be Marvin the paranoid android – always one to cheer me up with his morose comments.

Charlie Thompson (HS) Deputy Head of School

Why Buildings Fall Down by Matthys Levy

Throughout the book Matthys Levy explores how specific buildings have, or have not, collapsed, and delves into their stories. Usually, the buildings failed due to a lack of

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The scene is set by a powerful opening sentence: ‘The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of the situation.’ Intrigue, power, relationships: this is college in 1980’s New England. White clapboard and green shutters, a clock tower and ivied brick, the autumn glow of Vermont – it’s a setting which I could feel, having spent many summers in and around Dartmouth College, NH, from where my father graduated, and which Tartt perfects. I’d never have imagined there to be a book that crashed together this aspect of my life and another – Classics. As a group of students are the eager epigones of their aloof professor, their attempts to connect with the ancient world drive them from obsession to corruption and betrayal. Murder follows. The book is an intriguing investment, scattered with fragments of Latin and Greek; opening its pages, you are entering a realm of linguistic riches, and the company of the best that has been said and thought. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for mystery, campus life or the ancient world.

FEATURES Boris Johnson: The Gambler by Tom Bower

Tom Bower’s biography of Boris Johnson is an astonishing dichotomy between the greatest electoral machine in recent memory – our former Prime Minister - and an isolated misfit. Bower’s Boris is deeply flawed; he is also brilliant, stoic, unique and a genuine winner. Subtitled The Gambler, this is a man who has rolled six after six in his professional career; yet in his personal life, the die seems to land on one. With new research on his family and relationships, Bower offers a refreshingly innovative account of the Johnson ‘clan’, giving new life to the same old tales. Stanley Johnson is revealed as the driving force behind his son, whose success he claims – a ‘professional guest’, as coined by Bower. Shocking details of childhood are the root of Boris’ later pains. And yet, it seems to me that a loose relationship with the truth is shared by subject and biographer, as some of the typical factual legwork on Bower’s part is noticeably awry. Boozy lunches and evening trysts? Definitely. Accurate figures and details? Not always. Boris doesn’t emerge from the book a hero, but – unlike Red Ken or communist Corbyn – he’s certainly not the pantomime villain. Rather, this is an entertaining and colourful portrait of the greased piglet who, you suspect, may squirm his way back into the headlines before long.

William Lewis (JH) Exchange Student

training and even conflicts within the community of Scythes. I really enjoyed this book mainly due to the welldeveloped plot, highly developed characters and world and the interesting concepts and notions established throughout Scythe. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read some thought-provoking and engaging Sci-Fi, similar to The Diabolic and The Truth App. Scythe is also the first book in the Scythe Arc series. If you enjoyed Scythe, definitely consider giving the rest of the series a read as well.

Hooper

by Geoff Herbach One of my friends first recommended this book to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hooper tells the story of 16-year-old Polish immigrant Adam Reed, who begins playing basketball, and who tries to find friends in America though basketball. The story focusses on his struggles to fit in, as well as make sense of the new culture and place that he now lives in. The book is not part of any series, however the author Jeff Herbach has written other notable sports and coming of age books, such as Stupid Fast. I really enjoyed reading Hooper, mainly because it was engaging throughout the story, and the character was written in a relatable way. I would recommend this book for anyone looking to read something centred around coming of age and basketball, or anyone looking for a medium length book with an engaging plot and relatable characters.

Just Mercy

by Bryan Stevenson

Scythe

by Neal Shusterman I first read this book as part of a library program; however, it immediately appealed to and interested me, quickly prompting me to read the rest of the series. Scythe tells the story of a futuristic society, ruled by benevolent Artificial Intelligence, and with a population of people with the ability to be constantly revived. Although at first Scythe seems to portray an ideal and perfect civilisation, the book goes on to explore the necessity that people must die to create a sustainable civilisation. And in a world where people cannot normally die, ‘Scythes’ are created to kill random people, fulfilling the set quota of deaths required each year. The book follows the story of two children, who unexpectedly become apprentices to an experienced and prominent Scythe. We follow their journey of learning about Scythehood,

Just Mercy is a memoir written by a highly regarded lawyer – Bryan Stevenson – who documents many of the cases and clients that he has worked with during his many years of serving as a lawyer. It highlights the need for equal justice, and his work dealing with those who are desperate and the most in need including: people living in poverty; women and children; minority groups and even the wrongly condemned. The book can be confronting at some points, as Stevenson does not leave out many details, instead painting the full picture of America’s imperfect justice system before the readers. However, the book really gave me a wider and more appreciative view of the world, as it showed me how tough some people have it, and how lucky I am by comparison. Just Mercy is a great book for anyone looking to read a medium length, non-fiction book, that has been extremely well written and put-together, and that gives a much wider view of the world.

Lookalikes

Lookalikes More Staff and Celebrity similarities...

Jack-Jack

Mr Cleary

Mr North

David Cross

Roddy St James

Mr Sixsmith

Field

PUZZLES

Another selection of Tonbridgian brain-teasers.

Field

Mazes Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith FieldSmithField Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith

Field

You

5. David Robinson

The Nicolson Wing

Andrew Byfield Adam Sixsmith Jeremy King Noah Hillyard David Robinson

A Novi Social...

A girl at the Social

You

Tonbridge Wordsearch

Jeremy Rob Rob

Rob

Get to the front of the Orchard Centre queue...

Rob Hill 3ft Front of the OC queue

Rob

You

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. Andrew Byfield 2. Adam Sixsmith

Andrew Byfield Adam Sixsmith Jeremy King Noah Hillyard David Robinson

Smith Smith Jeremy Rob Jeremy Jeremy Smith Jeremy Smith Hill Hill ft3ftHill 3ft Hill 3ft

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Andrew Byfield 3. Jeremy King Adam 4. Sixsmith Noah Hillyard Jeremy King Robinson 5. David Noah Hillyard David Robinson

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Smith SmithJeremy 2. Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Hill 3ft

Andrew Byfield Adam Sixsmith Jeremy King Andrew Byfield Noah Hillyard 2.1. Adam Sixsmith Jeremy King David Robinson 4.3. Noah Hillyard

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Find your way to the Nicolson Wing...

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Dingbats

21 Dingbats: 1. Andrew Byfield, 2. Adam Sixsmith, 3. Jeremy King, 4. Noah Hillyard, 5. David Robinson. Tonbridge Wordsearch: Prae, Tonbridgian, The Fifty, Mr Priory, Chapel, Chan Cafe, Skinners Day, Barton Science Centre, Social Octagon Concert, ChatGPT, TSC.

New Faces: 1. Ben Barber/Revd Peters, 2. James Burbidge/Juan Ortega, 3. Richard Burnett/Leo Walsh, 4. Lucy Clubb/Nick Lord, 5. Richard Evans/John Bleakley, 6. Tom Fewster/Nick Waite, 7. Adam Sixsmith/Adrian Schweitzer, 8. Josie McNeil/Alex Moen, 9. James Fisher/Colin Swainson.

Answers 1.

Spot whose faces have been merged to create new members of staff...

New Faces Puzzles

ACADEMIC Science Communication Competition 2023 Wednesday 10th May saw the second year of Tonbridge School’s Science Snippets: 4 minutes to win it Science Communication Competition, which took place in the Barton Science Centre.

The Science Competition Winners 2023 with Head Judge, Dr Alex Ball

wenty-two finalists, whittled down from 100 entries came from schools across the local area and around the South East to present snippets of interesting and fun science explanations in the competition’s grand finale. The competition was hosted by James Fisher, Deputy Head Co-Curricular, and Rory Dalton (FH), Science Ambassador. The judging panel included Head Judge Dr Alex Ball, Head of Imaging and Analysis, The Natural History Museum; Sarah Bisby, Teacher of Chemistry and Science, and STEM Co-Ordinator, Tonbridge Grammar School; Nick Waite, Head of Science; Lisa Alford, Science Coordinator; and Lower Sixth student Isaac King (CH), Science Ambassador. Science Ambassadors Cosmo Hayward (MH), Vir Mirchandani (FH), Jerry Chen (Sc), Chris Robertson (PH), Felix Edelman (MH), Toby Lumb (Sc), Richard

Millett (MH), William Kerr (PH), and Qi Hong Li (JH) were responsible for looking after the finalists, making sure they knew where they should be at what time, as well as conversing with the finalists’ parents. The competition proceeded seamlessly, thanks to the valuable input provided by the Science Ambassadors. The competition was split into two categories: Under 16 and 17–19. Competitors had just 4 minutes to talk about their specialism or interest in science with a specified age level aimed at first year students, 13 years of age. In the words of Richard Feynman - “If you can’t explain something to a first-year student, then you haven’t really understood”. The judges awarded marks for content, clarity, creativity, and captivation. The under 16s gave their talks first; the quality was outstanding. The finalists delivered engaging, informative, and thought-provoking presentations that showcased their deep understanding of scientific

Science Communication Competition 2023

Toby Carrie (PS)

Ryan Ng (FH)

concepts. The judges conferred whilst the finalists and the audience had a refreshments break. The judges found it incredibly challenging to choose the winners of the under 16s, but after much deliberation, the judges made their decision. Under 16 Winners First Chang Lui from Caterham School with her confidant, well explained, humourous talk on ‘The Expansion of the Universe’. Second Sophie Cramp from the Weald of Kent School with her real-world examples talk on ‘The Real-Life Tractor Beam’. Third Ishika De from The Judd School with her engaging talk on ‘Immortality in Real Life’. It was then time for the 17–19 finalists to give their talks. The level of articulation, clarity, and passion demonstrated by the speakers was truly commendable. It was evident that they had put significant effort into

Tom Fisher (SH)

Max Hu (HS)

Nathaniel Longe (PH)

ACADEMIC

The Judges

their research and preparation, effectively conveying their ideas to the audience. The judges went off to convene, but this time their decision was unanimous, there was a clear winner for 1st and 2nd place. Winners 17–19 First Lara Fox from Woldingham School with her enthusiastic, well explained and communicated talk on ‘The Secret World of Genes: Epigenetics’. Second Isabella Fallon from Tonbridge Grammar School with her passionate talk on ‘Parasites: Pests or Partners?’. Third Alison Ng from Woldingham School with her fascinating talk on ‘Virtual to Reality: Revolutionising Healthcare Training with the help of Robotic Simulators’.

Dr Alex Ball handed out the prize book tokens and presented all the finalists with a certificate. There was a positive atmosphere in the science centre, and the winners were delighted. Overall, the quality of talks exceeded expectations and left a lasting impression on everyone involved. It is truly fantastic to have witnessed an all-female line-up of winners. This achievement not only highlights the exceptional talent and capabilities of these young women, but also demonstrates the progress we are making towards gender equality in the field of science communication. It is a proud moment for all of us and a clear indication that empowering and encouraging girls in STEM fields is yielding remarkable results. Congratulations to the winners, and may their success inspire many more young girls to pursue their passions in science communication. Lisa Alford, Science Coordinator

House General Knowledge Competition

t was an honour to take over the reins of much of the General Knowledge competition this year, though my credentials are somewhat dubious having never even been selected for the Ferox Hall team in my five years at Tonbridge. I nonetheless very much enjoyed hosting some impressive knowledge, stirring comebacks, outdated questions, amusing answers, buzzer troubles, unexpected guests, avian-related proverbs, and questions about the ‘classic’ 2002 film Eight Legged Freaks.

winning the whole competition. It just goes to show that if the questions fall the right way, anything can happen… Congratulations, then, to Judde House, and their team of Matt Smith, Qi Li, Hugo Cooper-Fogarty and Max Stuttard (they also used Jon Lai in Rounds 1 and 2), who took down Smythe House convincingly in the final. Thanks also to Mr Blake for organising and preparing the questions, even if he didn’t fancy the Jeremy Paxman role this year!

In the end, for the first time in House General Knowledge history (we believe), a team that lost in a prior round but went through as highest scoring losing team ended up

A.J. Moen

Tonbridge Science Technician Convention

Tonbridge Science Technician Convention The inaugural Tonbridge Science Technician Convention took place on Thursday 23rd March in the Barton Science Centre.

total of 55 technicians, representing more than twenty independent and state schools across Kent, Surrey, and London, attended the convention, which gave them an opportunity to network, share good practice and to learn new skills. The event featured demonstrations in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as talks and exhibitor stands to explore. There were three demonstration sessions hosted between three rooms across the ground, first, and second floor of the BSC. Tonbridge’s Technicians hosted each room, and the format was designed to be one of ‘share and discuss’. Delegates had an option to meet with the exhibitors, as well as a tour of the BSC if delegates did not wish to visit all three of the science disciplines for demonstrations. Biology’s demonstrations included DNA, electrophoresis, and microscopes, Chemistry’s demonstrations were Flame tests 5 ways, and a dramatic reaction between copper and nitric acid, and Physics demonstrated the Maglev train, Tesla egg, electricity power line model, domestic electricity power model, Rijkes tube, and various electricity demonstrations. One delegate commented, “Thank you for the wonderful event, you and the other technicians did a fantastic job! The Tonbridge technicians were wonderful and gave fantastic demonstrations, I liked how the different

science sessions were separated and the Exhibitors were friendly.” Hope Sharman, Science Technician, Hugh Christie School, Tonbridge. The event, sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry, welcomed three keynote speakers: Jane Banks, External Relationships Manager for the Science Council, Jane Oldham, Chair of the ASE National Science Technicians Committee, and Hellen Ward, Director of STEMHubs. At the event, Tonbridge School was made an ‘Employer Champion’ by the Science Council in recognition of its outstanding commitment to the training and professional development of staff, in particular its team of science technicians. Tonbridge School is the first school in the country to be given the award, and now sits alongside prestigious institutions such as Imperial College London, The Francis Crick Institute, University College London and the universities of Bristol, Nottingham, and Exeter. Three Tonbridge School technicians, Laxmi GhartiMagar, Joanne Seymour, and Ramona Szalczinger received certificates during the event (above), for their status as Registered Science Technicians (RSciTech). The idea behind the event is for the science centre to not only be a hub for science students, but also a hub for science technicians, without whom the vast amount of practical science work undertaken would not be possible, with the aim to develop and promote strong collaborative links between the state and private school sector across London and the South East.

James Priory receives the Employer Champion Award from Helen Gordon, CEO of the Science Council

The sense of enthusiasm, and devotion to science teaching, was very evident during the highly successful convention. I have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and planning has already started for next year’s event. Lisa Alford, Science Coordinator

COOKERY SCHOOL The Cookery School is... Now Open! Located on the first floor above CCF, the facility was formally launched in March 2023 under the new management of Shenley Moore, Cookery School Instructor.

Shenley preparing Spaghetti Bolognese with fresh basil and garlic bread

uring term time, the facility is open to boys’ classes. However, outside of term time we plan to run commercial cookery classes for adults of all skill levels. Boys’ classes are currently being held on a Tuesday afternoon between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Boys at both School House and Manor have enjoyed their class experiences and have the following testimonials: “What I liked most was learning how to cook a new dish” “It was collaborative and fun” “Everything was perfect”. “I had lots of fun!”

The cookery courses available to Tonbridge boys at present are focused on getting ready for university life. The courses on offer are, an Indian curry with homemade naan bread, pizzas from scratch, soup and soda bread and Spaghetti Bolognese, fish and knife skills. Looking towards the future, we want to be able to offer a larger range of courses and welcome ideas from the boys about what they would like to learn to make. Please speak to your Matron or Housemaster about how you can enrol onto one of our classes with Shenley.

Cookery School

Traditional Full-English breakfast

Sea bass with noodles and vegetables

Curry with rice and naan bread

Chicken wings, pizza and potato wedges

Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread

Soda bread and crudités

Soup-of-the-day – perfect with soda bread!

MUSIC Allan Bunney Concert Serenades for Wind Instruments Sunday 15th January

ho was Allan Bunney? He was the director of music at Tonbridge who retired in 1967 having arrived at Tonbridge in 1941. This concert series, in his name, is a gesture towards his work in music here during a period when ‘growing’ the department and its profile was quite a different and, at times, difficult job. With energy he led the way for his successor who was better enabled by Bunney’s charismatic approach to build on secure foundations.

Allan Bunney Concert Mozart & Beethoven Serenades for Wind Instruments

the skill and musical commitment they could muster. Gratifying certainly, but also, for some, a bit of a relief afterwards! Isaac Chan’s (MH) fulsome notes were an excellent companion to this finely turned-out performance. David Williams

Lower School and IGCSE Concerts

hese two big events, on 20th and 27th January, combined over fifty performers and their generous ensemble augment, those who had come along to make up the necessary bands and groups to make a piece possible and playable. From the first and second year a hugely enjoyable and wide

Lower School Scholars’ Concert

Performed by students and staff 8.15pm, Sunday 15th January Big School This concert was the first major chamber music performance of very sophisticated repertoire where both boys and staff played important and equal roles as ensemble members. Challenging, and demanding, but also equitable and fair. Having spoken to several of the student performers it was clear that they had raised their game to match the conditions of the programme’s standards and simply had to be ready to play with all

Friday January 27 7.30pm Recital Room

Lent Term 2023 range of serious solos of Bach and Brahms to classic Eagles. The slightly difficult brief to satisfy was that each second year should do a solo while each first year should be involved in a group. Digging deep into old scores and memory all first year were accommodated with rare but perfectly practical pieces like the Minuetto from Quintetto Concertante by Licki!

A Level Performances Recital

IGCSE Music

Performances Recital

Wednesday 1st March 7:30pm in the Recital Room

Friday 20th January 7.30pm Recital Room The IGCSE year group members were on a quest to find the right piece which would serve each well for those recordings later in the term. It seems like a worthy and straightforward plan. It worked eventually and those recordings were mostly completed by the end of the same term. The important experience gained by these performances and early commitment to repertoire was an essential part of the practical exam package. Compositions, similarly, were in by the end of term leaving the all-important IGCSE paper to work for in June.

A Level Performances

he A level programme included both years of candidate making up a serious yet entertaining evening of enormous variety. Three singers and four instrumentalists provided everything from a Handel aria, Alex Walker (SH), to Lucas Mulley’s (CH) virtuoso Tosca Fantasia. Oscar McIlwham (PS), TK Buristrakul

(HS), Dominic Thomas (WW) and Thomas Rout (JH), the lower sixth, performed one piece each of what may eventually make up their own recital programme the following year – always a good idea to get a lot of the same as well as new repertoire in balance, especially for these sorts of exam requirements. It makes recording under pressure less anxiety inducing – if that is a necessary condition of sorts. George Thomas (WH) and Nicholas Samuel (WH) gave, together with Lucas, the lion’s share of the evening. With three or four pieces each we were delighted with musically shaped and presented offerings of well-rehearsed and known works.

Paris Choir Tour 10th – 13th February 2023

fter Covid postponed the return of the Tonbridge Chapel Choir to Paris, following their fine debut in 2016, the Parisians welcomed the choir back for this year’s tour. Mr Thomas had once again organised a great mix of concerts and services, along with some stunning sight-seeing in one of Europe’s most loved cities. A 5:30am start on the Friday morning, and boys sluggishly lugged their bags towards the coach we

MUSIC Richte, Mich Gott by Mendelssohn and finally Parry’s My soul there is a country. We were situated in front of the stunning gold altar in the centre of this beautiful building. As the concert went on, more and more tourists and people who had just come to look around the church came and sat down and listened to our singing and Mr Williams’ fantastic organ playing. After a brilliant first performance, we packed away the robes and once again walked around central Paris, with time to go shopping or once again find a creperie on the corner of a street. We then got back on our bus and headed to a restaurant for an entertaining pizza meal. Many topics were debated on the sixth form table, as the hectic trebles and Novi had been strategically positioned upstairs to enjoy the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet. Finally, we headed back to the hotel for the evening, relaxing after a strong performance in our first concert and much sight-seeing in central Paris. We began the Sunday with more croissants and French breakfast foods from the restaurant in the hotel and then departed for central Paris once again. On our way, we passed the stunning Arc de Triomphe and many other pieces of impressive French architecture that we had now become used to seeing. Upon arriving at L’Eglise de la Madaleine, we rehearsed in the enormous church with two organs subsequently being used in the service to would be travelling in for the next four days. However, spirits were high and the excitement was evident as the bus left school and headed towards Dover in order to board the ferry for Calais. The journey was smooth and we were blessed with an earlier ferry time, resulting in more sight seeing upon arrival in France. After docking at Calais, we moved quickly towards Paris, arriving there at around 3pm. We went sight-seeing around Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur, taking delight in the food at local patisseries and creperies. After starting to get a feel for the beauty of the city, we took the bus back to the hotel and had a pre-booked dinner before heading off to bed after a long first day of the tour. An early start to the morning, consisting of crêpes and croissants was closely followed by our departure from the hotel, heading off to central Paris. We arrived at the River Seine for our boat-trip which went through the heart of the city. Many photos were taken at the prestigious Eiffel Tower and Mr Walsh made some cameos in the photography of a modelling agency that had joined us on the boat. After a quick stop off for lunch, we headed straight to St Sulpice church for our first performance of the tour. We then rehearsed, trying to figure out the logistics of Mr Williams not even being able to see us at all whilst playing the organ, and were ready for the concert. We sang pieces ranging from the Gloria from Rheinberger’s Mass for double-choir, to

Lent Term 2023

accompany both us and the priest and also for musical interludes. A stunning serviced followed, resounding in the equally stunning architecture, with many of the choir members gawping at the sight of incense being swung from side to side. The congregation gave us a standing ovation as we processed down the church, as they had enjoyed our performances, consisting of selections of the Haydn Mass as well as Ave Maris Stella by Grieg, and many other beautiful choral pieces. After a quick

lunch break, we arrived at our final performance at St Etienne du Mont Church. We once again sang our concert programme from the performance on Saturday. Mr Thomas was heaped with praise afterwards, as we had concluded our singing that he had conducted and rehearsed so intricately, resulting in some spectacular performances, with some of the congregation at L’Eglise de la Madaleine requesting that we come back the next Sunday to sing in their service again! After the concert, we set off for a final dinner together; afterwards, the younger choristers returned to the hotel while some of the older members of the choir enjoyed an evening out in central Paris with Mr Walsh and Mr Law. Although the singing was done, there was still much to see in France. We left our hotel and headed back towards Calais for our ferry home. On the way,

MUSIC we stopped off in the lovely town of Arras, where there were many chocolate shops and restaurants to spend the last bits of cash on, and get some presents for family at home. The sun was shining, and after many hours of rehearsing and performing throughout the tour, all of us, including Mr Thomas, enjoyed the relaxing morning strolling around the centre of Arras, a reward for our hard work and dedication. Finally, we departed Arras and set off for Calais, with an unusually quiet bus journey there as we were all ready to return to the beautiful rainy weather of England. After another very smooth ferry crossing back to Dover, we set off back to where we had left off at such an early hour, a few days before. We arrived back at around 7:00 pm and we all said our thanks to the staff for providing such a great tour, before heading off home for a well-deserved sleep. Very many thanks to all those involved in organising and running the trip: Mr Thomas, Mr Williams, Mr Walsh, Mr Law; Mrs Mobbs and Mrs Churchill (robes mistresses and ‘matrons’); Mrs Fulford and Ms Findlay (with the Prep School Choristers); and all the Tonbridge School support staff who enable trips to happen. Noah Durling (SH)

Lent Term 2023

The Argo Thursday 16th – Friday 17th March 2023

ywel Davies’ dramatic oratorio was given its first performance on the 16th and 17th March last term.

The present Sixth Form was in its earliest years at school here when work began on The Argo before the Covid shutdown caused its postponement. In that intervening period it seems that corporate memory did something to give the eventual performances something special despite those three years of Argo silence. The recent rehearsals benefitted from the past shared experience of going through a learning process previously. Preparation took place in the Lent term, as before, with a huge whole school Tuesday afternoon presence two days before the chorus of Heroes divided to perform the work. Whole school performances take place all the time, in Chapel, hymn singing, at its most enthusiastic, perhaps, during the Carol service which ends the long

MUSIC

Michaelmas term. Taking this enthusiasm and potential to create something extraordinary Hywel Davies let the myth become a dramatic reality: a story of ‘quest’ with trials and tribulations; an all-male cast, a journey from boyhood to manhood. The idea was to create a wholeschool drama which was challenging, a more elaborate version of the hymn-type commissions of the past, and importantly, a ‘different’ singing experience. The first issues were, as is the business of practical music-making from scratch, with learning the notes. Having told the school that what they were rehearsing was, clearly, not the whole picture – perhaps like walking away from a canvas at close range only eventually to see it whole at a distance some patience might be required. The visions are different and that makes trust an important feature. These morning rehearsals were examples of enormous good-will, positive vibes, enthusiasm and a willingness to participate. The school was, at those rehearsals, ‘inside’ the music. And this music was not facile. Conceived as an oratorio complete with chorus, soloists Bradley Smith, Toby Stafford-Allen, and narrator, Laurence Williams accompanied by a solo cellist Ben

Lent Term 2023 Michaels, (both Old Tonbridgians), the drama unfolds as the story is told by these forces. The combination of idiomatic writing for the chorus in particular was one of the great successes of the work. Concentration and corporate effort were all on show by the four hundred boys at each performance. And without realising it, perhaps, they were being taught a lesson about the accessibility of contemporary classical music. ‘As a narrated story it was held together by the themes of journey rather than goal. As the composer put it: A good ‘quest’ story has, for me, many similarities with ideas of pilgrimage. There is a goal – a place, a person or an object – but in the end the story is about how those on the quest (or pilgrims) are transformed by their journey, rather than the attainment of the goal. Jason’s ‘journey’ is from innocence to experience.’ Uniquely, at this event, having had the early experience of learning this then the reality of a performance some years later seems to add a layer of nuance to the upper sixth sense, the Leavers, which may still be sinking-in. It was certainly the case that the whole was executed with a sense of pride; that care for getting it right with no second chance – a Tonbridgian trait perhaps. And, simply put, it was clearly enjoyable. The choristers’ faces were a combination of shock, fright, and sheer exquisite delight when confronted with the awesome power of four hundred voices singing at their fullest the ‘Heracles moment’.

None of this was possible without the wonderful work of the orchestra which responded so carefully, and with great technical skill, to the guidance of the central co-ordination force, the conductor, Mark Forkgen. As an experienced conductor of new works it was his job to learn the new score, understand it in all its musical possibilities and musical practicalities, and then present those elements to orchestra, chorus, youth chorus and soloists. It worked. The result, on both occasions, was astounding. D L Williams

DRAMA Park House Play Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose

dealing with doubt rather than whether or not the defendant was guilty.

omewhere in between a House play and an independent one, Twelve Angry Men was performed by a Park House cast last March, a project a year in the making from the moment Maria Ponce Galán and Jean-Patrick Vieu decided on one of the two existing versions of the play and on a cast that put together an array of Park House boys, ranging from first-time raw talent to more experienced thespians. With a few tweaks along the road, this was a dream cast, in which each boy got to develop his character both internally and in relation to the others around him. Choosing to stage this in the round enhanced the feeling of entrapment of these jurors from various walks of life, some of whom would never have met, let alone talked to each other under normal circumstances. That way, the discomfort of the situation added to the magnitude of the decision they have to make collectively regarding the guilt or innocence of a boy accused of killing his father was rendered palpable to the audience. Indeed, having people surround the stage and spy on every characters’ reactions and split-second changes of heart made it all the clearer that the play is more about trusting one’s moral compass and resisting mob mentality when

The play got better each of the three nights; accidents were swiftly overcome (!) and the last performance was a tremendous success, in which each actor was at his absolute best and the play so tense that the audience was holding their breath for the whole hour it lasted – a great thing that this was the version that was filmed (available on eStream!). While we are genuinely proud of every single one of the boys who was involved, a special mention must be made of Will Lacey (PH) and Konstantin Mamkhegov (PH) as the leads and two sides of the dispute. Their commitment to the characters was superb and made for a terribly strong and moving finale. Jean-Patrick Vieu Starring – all PH: Harry Attenborough, Benji Cheeseman, Sasha Duda, Will Enskat, Harry French, Theo Ingram, Ted Jones, Will Lacey, Konstantin Mamkhegov, Kether Nwaki, Hugh O’Donnell, Inigo Pullen, James Wildblood. Voice over: Xander Drysdale. Stage manager: Odin Holdom. Artwork: James Forman.

French Drama Competitions

French Drama Competitions Lower Sixth

fter resorting to what Sam Collins (FH) (rightfully) referred to as “some very heavy persuading”, I was able to gather a group of four Lower Sixth boys for the French Drama Club WAA and entered them for a French Drama competition at Charterhouse School. I quickly suggested to them scenes from Jean-Michel Ribes’s Musée Haut, Musée Bas (2004), and we put together a ten-minute piece that contained monologues, brief duos and a dialogue, all taking place inside a museum and poking fun at art and art lovers. Language in Ribes’s play is sharp, witty, sometimes absurd and sometimes cruel, and the boys mastered it and relished using his words, crazy as they were.

Upper Sixth

pon seeing the calibre and commitment of the Upper Sixth boys involved in French Drama Club, a scene in Molière’s Les Femmes Savantes (1672), in which a group of women are in ecstasy about the terrible poetry recited by Trissotin, who is trying to marry into the family, immediately came to my mind if we were to be strong contenders in the French Drama competition at King Alfred School. A bold choice, indeed: the play is in alexandrine verse, full of obscure rhymes, dependent on pace and reactivity, but is hilarious at the same time, provided you fully tap into the ridicule of the characters and the situation… and have the boys wear period dresses… and transform the poet into a guitarist and (dreadful) singer!

Our ‘tour’ of the museum started with guide Sam Edwards (PS) who was taking visitors through a museum that has no perspective, exposing the dangers of the latter through a puzzling allegory. This was followed by thoughtful father Tom Horrell (OH) worrying that exposing his children to a painter whose exhibit is only temporary might be harmful to them, and puzzling cashier Giles Oliver (SH) who could not put too early an end to a conversation he finds inane and exhausting. The performance then ended on museum director Sam Collins who, upon finding a stranded plant in the building, went on a rant against nature and how art was what made it beautiful in the first place and should simply take over.

What a fantastic performance this led to: Sachin Desai (OH) is matriarch Philaminte, keen to look the smartest of them all and praising the poet no end in the hope of convincing her daughter Henriette to marry him. Said daughter, Milo Denny (WH), finds said poetry awful, tries to escape but is made to sit through the whole recital in

On the night of the competition, the boys delivered a masterful performance and won a total of three prizes: Best Spoken French for Sam Edwards, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Sam Collins and Best Play for the whole cast. A well-deserved success; I cannot wait for next year!

DRAMA utter boredom. As for Henriette’s sister Armande, Nathan Kahl (OH), she is very keen to also be perceived as an erudite, and she competes with spinster aunt Bélize, Henry Collins (FH), for who will be the poet’s biggest fan. Thinking himself irresistible, poet Trissotin, Andrew Sergeef (FH), plays guitar, sings offkey and is promised Henriette’s hand – a colourful performance which earned him the Best Spoken French prize. The cast then went on to received the Best Unique Theatrical Experience prize, which obviously would never have happened had we not also had with us Konstantin Mamkhegov (PH) as servant L’Épine, and his majestic fall to the ground and memorable line: “Je m’en suis aperçu, madame, étant par terre.”

Both pieces explored the value of money, how dependant people really are upon it and the lengths that they are willing to go get it. The tears shed by the former subsequently drowned out by laughter during the latter are testimony to the fact that as well as (hopefully) creating sound work for the exam board, we gave the audience an entertaining night too.

Competition was strong. Many schools were involved, with some ambitious pieces. Nerves were there, but fun and French prevailed, and the boys were utterly fantastic. It was an absolute joy to work with this group and they have set a tremendous threshold for future French Drama groups!

Nick Samuel (WH)

Jean-Patrick Vieu

A Level Scripted and Devised Performances

his year’s A level drama cohort were tasked with staging two short pieces in the studio theatre – one existing play, and another entirely devised from scratch. The catch was that both pieces had to ‘talk’ to each other. As if the set hadn’t had enough of the Brooklyn accent from last year’s A View from the Bridge, we elected to go with Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman for our scripted piece, reimagined in the style of Katie Mitchell. This involved setting up a huge white cyclorama, onto which live footage from a camera on a track and dolley was broadcast. Alongside this, the set made some pre-recorded cinematic footage to be projected on the cyclorama to highlight key moments, resulting in a play that seemed, contradictorily, quite filmic. Death of a Salesman is a play about debating the American Dream, only in Miller’s token depressing style of writing. So, to lighten the mood, we created a complementary piece in the style of absurdist theatre practitioner Dario Fo, titled Capitalism 4 Dummies, which follows a dastardly trio of aspirational young men whose hopes and dreams have been so thoroughly annihilated, that they resort to scamming the rich to make ends meet – the rich in question being the aptly named ‘Ricky Sunash’.

I was lucky enough to be part of a team involving the creative talents of Felix Burnett (CH), Harry Lang (WW), Hugo Brummit-Evans (WW), as well as Mr Bruce, Mr Thornbury, Chris Burden on sound and lighting, and also Mr Love chipping in to aid us in the technological hurdles for the projection for Death of a Salesman.

GCSE Scripted Performances

t the beginning of March, the Third Year GCSE Drama students performed scripted pieces for their Component 2 exam. The extracts explored an enormous range of themes and theatrical styles, from the detail of Naturalism in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, to the Absurdism Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter. The exam requires candidates to perform two scenes from a selected, published script, to demonstrate an understanding of character development across the course of the play.

Orphans (1983) by Lyle Kessler

Jack Kirkland (WH) – Treat Will Huddy (JH) – Harold Bobby Smart (FH) – Phillip Two brothers, Phillip; sensitive, reclusive, never venturing out of his North Philly home and Treat; a violent pickpocket and thief who kidnaps a mysteriously wealthy businessman. The tables are turned on the two brothers in an hilarious and moving way, when the stranger becomes their long-lost father figure.

Art (1994)

by Yazmina Reza Alex Gibson (HS) – Serge Henry Trickey (WH) – Marc Sam Zang (FH) – Yvan Serge has bought a painting. It is a white painting on a white background. It cost 100,000 Euros. Marc is horrified and Yvan caught in the middle. This is a comedy about friendship, taste… and Art.

GCSE Scripted Performances

Of Mice & Men (1937)

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (1992)

Corey Little (WH) – George Jake Mandich (HS) – Lennie

Sam Williams (CH) – Adam Oliver Clarke (CH) – Edward Freddie Barry (Sc) – Michael

by John Steinbeck

Two migrant workers, George and Lennie, stop in a clearing by a river and camp for the night. George is a man with “sharp, strong features.” Lennie, his companion, is a man with a “shapeless” face who has a learning disability. Lennie is deeply devoted to George and dependent upon him for protection and guidance.

The Dumb Waiter (1959) by Harold Pinter

Alex Young (PS) – Ben Ethan Hudson (OH) – Gus Two hit-men, Ben and Gus, are waiting in a basement room for their assignment. In the back of the room is a dumbwaiter, which delivers occasional food orders. The Dumb Waiter is a political comedy showing how the individual is destroyed by a higher power.

The Woman in Black (1987) by Susan Hill

Terry Kachecha (OH) – Actor Will Cowdery (PS) – Kipps A lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting a story to family and friends. It is a story that has long troubled him, concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There, he caught sight of the Woman in Black, a spectre who haunts the site of her illegitimate daughter’s death. Local folklore has it that anyone who sees her, dies.

The Green Man (1999) by Doug Lucie

by Frank McGuinness

An Irishman, an Englishman and an American find themselves kidnapped and held hostage by unseen captors in Lebanon. As the three men strive for survival they also strive to overcome their personal and nationalistic differences.

The Pillowman (1998) by Martin McDonagh

Arul Singh (PS) – Ariel James Cameron (SH) – Katurian Lewie Macpherson (SH) – Tupolski Katurian, a writer of short stories that often depict violence against children, has been arrested by two detectives, Ariel and Tupolski, because some of his stories resemble recent child murders. When he hears that his brother Michal has confessed to the murders and implicated Katurian, he resigns himself to being executed but attempts to save his stories from destruction.

Mojo (1995)

by Jez Butterworth Freddie Hill (CH) – Potts Odin Holdom (PH) – Sweets Ben Cole (PH) – Baby Soho 1958. Sweets and Potts, two pill-popping small time gangsters, have discovered an up and coming rock ‘n’ roll singer called Silver Johnny. They are set to take a decent cut if they can get their boss Ezra in on the deal and avoid his son, Baby, getting involved. G D Bruce

Bong-Ra Nzdi (OH) – Mitch Tom Metcalfe (WH) – Bernie Lucas Saunders-Aroma (PS) – Lou George Lang (OH) – Greg When Mitch offers his men the fishing trip of a lifetime, they’re prepared to stay up till dawn. But while the whisky flows, the intimacy turns sour and the man with the fishing gear fails to show up. The Green Man is a poignant and vicious portrait of a team of builders and their pub landlord through a night of drinking, jealousy and angling.

DRAMA

Fifteens – The House Drama Competition

he second year of the annual House Drama Competition ‘Fifteens’ got underway with all twelve Houses choosing scripts relating to the theme ‘Just Desserts’.

Each house had half a term to create a piece of drama of up to fifteen minutes in length. Directors could choose a relevant extract from a play, adapt a published work, or write something original. The results were highly creative and ranged from Eugène Ionesco’s The Lesson to Shakespeare’s Macbeth and a brilliant adaptation of W.W. Jacob’s short horror story The Monkey’s Paw. Several houses chose to adapt scenes from television and cinema this year with interesting and amusing versions of A Few Good Men, Peaky Blinders and the Jeffrey Dahmer documentary making an appearance. Twelve houses were whittled down to a shortlist of four over two heats. The final was judged by ex-Tonbridge teacher, choreographer and director, Colette Wallace, who assessed each one on their response to the stimulus; creativity in adapting the script or original writing; direction, realising the piece on stage, creating meaning and impact; design and use of staging, lighting, sound, costumes and props; and acting through creating character, using voice and movement. The winning house was Manor who produced a gripping scene from Twelve Angry Men, directed by Richard Millett (MH). G D Bruce

Fifteens – The House Drama Competition

ART House Art Competition Judging the House art competition has been a privilege and heartening experience. I’ve been fortunate to witness and support a huge influx of pupils in the art department over the past few weeks, some of whom are regulars but many whom are not, all grafting hard to meet the deadline, collaborate, problem solve, refine and having a lot of fun whilst doing so... Nathan Anthony Adjudicator

alking to the boys today has been a very enlightening experience, and I’ve been struck by the thoughtful, considered and incredibly mature way they have been able to articulate their ideas and talk about their work. An amazing range of responses to the brief of ‘otherworld’s’ is apparent, talking in literature, cinema, music, planets, politics, human-animal relations, cartoons, current affairs, and other communities in a huge range of media including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography to name a few.

Oakeshott House Taking literature and novels as portals into imagined worlds, Oakeshott initiated their project by conducting a house wide survey considering their boys favourite books. Its results were translated into a homely sculptural assemblage in the form of a bookcase fabricated by the second year, which houses popular titles from the survey, set alongside three miniature dioramas, each depicting an aspect of the three most chosen novels; Philip Pullman’s The Northern Lights, Tolkein’s The Hobbit and CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Praise should go to the highly resourceful and inventive use of materials in constructing these exquisite models, whose elaborate details continue to unfold with sustained viewing. The piece seems to present a thoughtful and nuanced portrait of the House through its reading habits.

Judde House Rather than reach for the telescope, Judde has chosen to examine its immediate surroundings, the school’s architecture, and attempt to alter our perception of what we know and take for granted, by presenting it to back to us in a distorted and otherworldly manner. Taking its cues from Pop Art and the language of advertising, we encounter a grid of four photos, that each shift and skew our perspective of the school’s chapel and fountain, by

House Art Competition plaster planets (and the art department’s floor) were unified with paint splatters dispensed at random from a swinging pendulum containing blue and yellow acrylic, in the manner of Jackson Pollock. The result is a riotous sculptural relief that I feel successfully embodies the joyous time its creators had when making it.

Ferox Hall

digitally manipulating their orientation, colours, and visibility in conjunction with text. The effect is a disorientating cycle of images that undoes our certainties and undermines reality.

Ferox Hall were keen to represent the diversity of cultures and interests within the house when thinking about the title ‘Otherworlds’. After collating the results of a survey which recorded these individualities, the results were distilled into images which riff on classic film posters and album covers but with a neat and

Parkside Both the micro and macro are at play in Parkside’s highly collaborative and sculptural piece. Conceiving of their house as a galaxy i.e., stars, gas, and dark matter all bound together by gravity, the boys set about finding a way of expressing both the unity and individuality of its members. Inspired by Mária Bartuszová’s bulbous plaster forms that have recently been on display in Tate Modern, twenty-two individuals from the house, each made a cast of a different sized inflated balloon using mod rock bandages. Once affixed to a board, the

witty twist. On careful inspection you will find the Collins Brothers replace the Gambino crime dynasty in Goodfellas, music scholars mock the Beatles’ Abbey Road on the zebra crossing outside the school tuck shop, and Rory Dalton gives himself over to Ferox Hall in the Rocky Horror picture show. These skilful subvertisments were made using staged photography and photoshop editing, and then printed on different sized flyers and posters before being wheatpasted on a mock graffitied board and ripped and sanded to achieve the feel of a weathered West End billboard, in what I feel is a very impressive and dedicated display of truth to materials.

School House School House have engaged with the rich tradition of painting in response to music’s transportive powers with their entry. Taking Gustave Holst’s seven movement orchestral suite ‘The Planets’ as their starting point, the five-year groups of the house, plus its tutors and pastoral staff were each invited to collaboratively paint a planet in response to one movement from the

ART

suit. Arranged left to right in year group order, we are presented with a series of poetic painterly studies in oil that attempt to capture the musical dynamics and moods of Holst’s work.

Banksy’s public protest artworks that have appeared in the heart of the conflict. Inviting different members of the house to paint imagery based on media reportage from the conflict, a sort of map in of the country in blacks and greys emerges on a roughly cast plaster slab that feels like rubble. Above it hangs a re-purposed floorboard adorned with a biblical quote that considers agriculture (one of Ukraine’s main exports) in blue and yellows that perhaps reflect the sky and land, as well as the Ukrainian colours.

Smythe House Considering dystopian Orwellian worlds and oppressive political regimes, Smythe House produced a parody agitprop poster, protesting the dictatorship they live in. Luckily, the dictator in question, was more than happy to come to the art school lighting studio,

Welldon House In their entry, Weldon have examined the relationship between the human and animal world in two studies that utilise collage and paint in an interesting combination. On the left a dancing bear, painted in the foreground, sits upon collaged images that depict animal baiting and betting throughout art history, printed on a lurid, stained yellow paper, conjuring a seedy and accusation atmosphere. This is reinforced in the image on the right where a collaboratively painted close-up of a bear’s head, directly looks out at the viewer, confronting them in their possibly complicity.

have his portrait taken and be turned into a fine example of spray paint stencilling, replete with Cyrillic lettering, and a colour palette inspired by the American street artist Shepard Fairey in red, black, and white. Then again, tyrants do always love self-promotion.

Park House Considering the unimaginable reality of the conflict currently occurring in the Ukraine, Park House have produced a moving sculptural work with painted elements, inspired by the street artist

Whitworth House In another celestial portrait, Whitworth started their project considering themselves in relation to the other eleven houses in the manner of a school solar system. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s repeated portraiture, Theo Bourgeay, a second year, considered emblematic of the house spirit, appears twelve different times, in each wearing a different house tie that has been applied digitally. Above each photo are two different

House Art Competition

letters which collectively spell out ‘Otherworlds’ and ‘Perspective’, in a possible meditation on difference and similarity.

Hill Side In an impressive internally and externally collaborative and sensitive work, Hill Side initiated their project working with Afghani asylum seekers from the Millbank project through the school’s community action programme. Keen to understand the similarities and differences between their two worlds, they gleaned where these two might meet and diverge in the initial form of a questionnaire.

Cowdrey House Taking a fun, freeform and anarchic approach, Cowdrey humorously imagine a world where Tonbridge has been overrun by cartoon extra-terrestrial beings and alien amoeba who are running riot and causing havoc at the school’s

entrance. Using posca pens on an enlarged photo with cut apertures, Rick and Morty-esque entities fall through portals and vortexes from another world into our own, treating heavy concepts like the multi verse, with an admirably light touch. Despite language barriers the result of this were translated onto a brushy painted backdropped with both the Hill Side and Afghani colours, over which screen-printed imagery of the participants and their responses reside. At either side of the work, we find differences in perspectives and in the middle, shared interests in the form of sport, food and cinema, in a suggestion of unity despite vastly differing lives and circumstances.

Results A very difficult choice. If I could have given more prizes I would have. I wanted to be an art critic but now I am not so sure. A special mention goes to Parkside and School House for their very commendable level of participation. Overall winner: Oakeshott House for great levels of participation and amazing levels of craft.

Manor House In another interesting and probing examination of their school environment, Manor House have produced a thoughtful meditation on the sometimes-insular world that can exist at Tonbridge. Focusing in on the school’s traditions and sartorial customs, we see the evolution of ill fitting, untied Novi shoes, flannels, and tweeds, into the blue tailored suit trousers and tapered brown shoes that Praes can wear as a privilege. The study is rendered very successfully using oil pastels, and an inky shadow connecting the two figures in the background perhaps suggests an important sense of unity and family that comes out of this very particular educational experience.

COMMUNITY ACTION Annual Community Concert Tuesday 28th February saw Big School full to the brim with the largest ever audience for this year’s annual Community Concert.

ell over 200 local senior citizens were welcomed to this hugely popular event, many of whom hadn’t been out to an evening event since before the pandemic hit. Over 120 of the guests were brought to the venue by school minibus or collected by car by willing staff and parent volunteers. The guests were welcomed and hosted by over fifty of our third-year boys, who choose to spend some of every week volunteering through Tonbridge Community Action, and the evening involved performances from over fifty musicians. Expertly compèred by Nick Samuel (WH) and Siwei Han (PH), the evening got off to a flying start with Senior Strings playing Somewhere over the Rainbow and Fly me to the Moon. Some smaller ensemble groups then followed with the Brass Quintet impressing with some Arnold, the Vengerov String Quartet performing Beethoven

beautifully and a Piano Trio playing some very atmospheric Croad. The audience were then treated by the Clarinet Quartet, in stellar form as ever, to a technically very demanding Allegro con brio movement from Divertimento by Uhl before a toe-tapping Samba by Lewin, and the Perlman String Quartet charmed with the lyrical Andante Cantabile from Tchaikovsky’s Quartet in B minor. The first half was rounded up by an entertaining set from the ever popular Big Band, ranging from Summertime (Gershwin), via A Night In Tunisia (Gillespie & Paparelli), Here, There & Everywhere (Lennon & McCartney) and ending with a thoroughly enjoyable Soul Man (Hayes & Porter). Over tea and delicious cakes, served to our guests by the boys, the interval saw the popular raffle offering a wide range of prizes, and ending with special awards for our guest who has lived in Tonbridge the longest (94 years),

Annual Community Concert our most senior guest – a sprightly lady of 99 years –and no fewer than three guests who shared the prize for the closest birthdays. The second half took a different feel as the hall became nineteenth century France and the leads from the recent school production of Les Miserables took to the stage, including girls from Hillview School for Girls, Tonbridge Grammar School and Weald of Kent Grammar School. All were enthralled with their performances as they sang through the favourite solo numbers including A Heart Full of Love (Conrad Phillpot, JH), I Dreamed a Dream, Stars (Felix Burnett, CH), On my Own and Bring Him Home (Nick Samuel, WH), as well as the bawdy Master of the House (with Tom Metcalfe, WH bringing the house down), before ending on a triumphant note with One Day More which brought a standing ovation. We were delighted to be joined by The Worshipful Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Councillor Mrs Sue Bell, who offered a heartfelt vote of thanks to all the musicians and organisers of the evening. As they left to find their lifts home, all our guests were effusive in their thanks. One lady, clearly moved, shared how her husband, with fairly advanced dementia, had sung along to all the Les Miserables songs, and couldn’t thank us enough. All were grateful to be welcomed to the school, particularly with transport included, for such a wonderful evening of music. It was a heart-warming evening, with so many local people coming together to enjoy the wonderful company and music making. As one of the guests stated “I’ve been coming to this event for years, but this was one the of the best ever!” Our thanks to the musicians, staff and parents who gave of their time to make this popular event such a great evening, and a true highlight of our school year.

GREEN COMMITTEE Visit to Countrystyle Recycling In the far-away time of Michaelmas Term, the Green Committee had the pleasure of visiting – well, a load of old rubbish.

osted by none other than Revd. Butler-Gallie’s father, Charlie Lockhart (HS), Will Spedding (PS), Tristan Burnett (WW), Daniel Armes (WH), Jayden Ogundipe (CH), Theodore Bourgeay (WW), and Evan Norris (WW) – accompanied by Mr Biddle, Mrs Burnett and Ms Hevey - had a fascinating day learning about how the School’s waste is disposed of sustainably, and, crucially, how we can do better to make sure Tonbridge recycles effectively to protect the planet. Countrystyle disposes of dry mixed recycling using a fleet of Dustcarts, Roll-on-Roll-offs and articulated lorries. Everything we put in our dry mixed recycling bins (paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans) are mechanically and manually separated into the main recycling streams to ensure a circular economy and eliminate waste and pollution. Our general waste is sorted and has all noncombustible materials (such as metal) removed and the remaining material is sent to ‘Energy from Waste’

facilities all over Europe to produce power, heat and steam. The food waste we produce is processed by anaerobic digesters, which provides biogas as fuel as well as fertilisers - gas and electricity produced from just the food waste in Kent is enough to power 3,600 homes. However, all is not good news…we were given a look at some shocking statistics about our waste at Tonbridge (shown below). Some of the bin systems which have been in place have affected these stats, but the overall picture shows that far too much general waste is being produced, when we have the options to recycle and isolate our food waste. Have a look at the main offenders! Mr Butler-Gallie gave us some important pointers on Tonbridge waste issues. We need to focus on noncontamination of our recycling – no food, wet coffee cups or cheesy Dominoes boxes in there. We also need

Visit to Countryside Recycling to remember to flatten our cardboard boxes – so when you get your Amazon delivery, make sure you flat-pack the box so more cardboard can be recycled. To avoid expensive food waste, we need to focus on portion control – only put on your plate what you are going to eat! We had a fascinating day and learnt a great deal. As a result of our trip, the Green Committee, headed by Mr Biddle, are transforming the School’s bin system in the interests of Tonbridge becoming more sustainable. We will shortly be having fewer but more effective bins on site in key points, pictured below, instead of relying on separate recycling bins and wastepaper bins. We are also working on a system for recycling crisp packets – watch this space. As we roll out the new bins, make sure you take a moment to think about how you can reduce your waste and dispose of your rubbish properly. It only takes a moment but can have a truly positive impact on Tonbridge’s sustainability and respect for resources. Ms L Hevey

What goes in the new bins?

• Paper • Clean cardboard • Empty cans • Plastic bottles

• Used coffee cups • Banana skins & fruit • Non-recyclable packaging

The Green Committee meets at break on Fridays in the SLC. Ask your House Green Rep for more information.

COMBINED CADET FORCE CCF Annual General Inspection 2023 This year was one of the largest ever inspections held at the school under the eyes of the Inspecting Officer, Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro, Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force, concluding with a visit from 18 Sqn RAF.

ir Vice-Marshal Munro originally joined 10th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in 1986 where he had a successful reservist armed forces career, being appointed Deputy Commander Land Forces (Reserves) in 2012 and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff in 2016 (Reserves & Cadets). This year saw the use of a 32-man honour guard, with rehearsals for Inspection Day beginning in mid-October and continued three times weekly to complete the task

of memorising over one hundred rifle and foot drill movements, all from one command alongside a welltimed execution of the routine. The day began early with the final preparations being made for the parade: shoes being polished, and uniforms being inspected, leading up to the final rehearsal of the morning. Following this, the realisation came that there was now no more room for errors as the next performance would be for the actual parade itself.

CCF Annual General Inspection 2023

While the cadets waited, the crowd around the Quad started to grow, hundreds including family, friends as well as many OTs from the armed forces, as well as from the CCF who had come to support Major Brennan’s final parade at the school. With serving members from our parent regiment, the PWRR, as well as the Royal Engineers, the Grenadier Guards, as well as Britannia Royal Naval College and the Royal Marines, the pressure was mounting on the parade. Eventually, it was time for the parade to begin, commanded by the School’s Warrant Officer Class I Alexander Peggie (HS). All three sections of the CCF marched onto the Quad, first the Royal Navy, followed by the Army and the RAF, with the Guard finishing the numbers before waiting for the arrival of the Inspecting Officer. During this period, the pacing the minutes took place, a tradition stemming from the Napoleonic wars to show that the Non-Commissioned Officers were not under the influence of alcohol. Soon, Air Vice-Marshal Munro arrived onto the dais, and the Inspection was carried out, followed by the outstanding continuity drill routine, and culminated with a successful feu de joie. After high praise from the AVM, the Guard marched past, off the parade square and the afternoon activities kicked off.

These included a Royal Tournament-style Field Gun Run, a laser clay pigeon shoot, archery, and the opportunity for boys to try out a virtual reality flight simulator. Other attractions for visitors to peruse included a boat display, equipment from Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Search & Explosive Ordnance Disposal kit used by the Royal Engineers, and an antique Ferret armoured car. Then arrived the Chinook helicopter from 18 Squadron RAF with a magnificent flypast over the school, landing on the Fifty. All members of the CCF, including the Headmaster Mr Priory, were taken on a five/ten-minute flight around the Tonbridge area; an exhilarating and unforgettable experience which I and many others will cherish as we look back on at our time at the school. The day then concluded with the annual CCF dinner which was a fantastic evening where boys in the VIth Form, OTs, and staff came together to celebrate an incredible day, as well as the outstanding career of Major Martin Brennan having served 70 terms as the School’s Adjutant. Speeches were held, glasses were raised, and awards were received from the Inspecting Officer. It was an unforgettable day, and training will soon begin again for next years’ Guard under the new eye of Sergeant Andrew Davison. Stanley Southgate (MH)

COMBINED CADET FORCE CCF Awards The Tennant Bell (Royal Navy) Warrant Officer Class II Christopher Sneddon (OH) The Dougall Trophy (Army) Warrant Officer Class II Company Sergeant Major Oliver Whittall (SH) The Wilson Trophy (Royal Air Force) Cadet Warrant Officer Ewan Gadd-Chapman (CH) The Paterson Sword for the best overall contribution to the CCF Warrant Officer Class I Alexander Peggie (HS)

Tonbridge School Honour Guard 2023 Marius Kobler (WW) Henry Hilleard-Rees (CH) Lucas Dobson (SH) Oliver Pattinson (WH) Ben Adams (OH) Harry Jones (FH) Arthur Rogers (HS) Liam Bartholet (JH) William Holden (CH) Connor Impey (HS) Sam Williams (CH) Bertie Van-Bilderbeek (MH) Phil Dorn (JH) Karl Lam (HS) Lucas Saunders-Aroma (PS) Farlie Willett (Sc) William Cowdery (PS) Pranav Somasundram (HS) Theo Bourgeay (WW) Subomi Kolaojo (PS) Jacob Hargreaves (SH) James Booth (CH) Ewan Gadd-Chapman (CH) Toby Carrie (PS) Stanley Southgate (MH) Arthur Scott (PS) Austin Lane (HS) Ash Dodd (CH) Charlie Palmer (HS) Oliver Wilson (MH) WO2 CSM Ollie Whittall (SH) WO2 Chris Sneddon (OH) WO2 Toby Makin WO2 Damon McDevitt WO1 RSM Alexander Peggie (HS)

Major Martin F. Brennan

Major Martin F. Brennan Irish Guards 1976–1998 Tonbridge School CCF 2000–2023 The George & Dragon 2023–present

Martin Brennan is retiring after 23 years as Adjutant of the school’s Combined Cadet Force, of which he has predominantly helped transform into one of the country’s best.

ajor Martin Brennan joined Tonbridge in 2000 having previously served for 22 years in the Irish Guards, and after 23 years as the CCF’s Adjutant acting as the backbone of the CCF and specifically the Army section, he retires to own and run The George & Dragon, pub across the road from Manor House. With the help of Contingent Commander Sqn Ldr. Hargreaves, follows a short biography on his career. Guardsman Brennan joined the Army in 1975, aged 16, the son of a Mick who had since become a publican. He’d always wanted to be in the Army and initially expressed a preference for the Paratroop Regiment, but the recruiter was Irish Guards and so that sealed the deal. After training at the Guards Depot, in 1976 he moved to join his battalion stationed in Germany; travelling to Canada four times in one year as part of Ex. MedMan. On returning to the battalion, he moved to Windsor and was promoted to NCO rank. In 1980 he trained to be an instructor at the Guards Depot, where he served until 1983. It was during this time that Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands: Martin and a friend went to see the Regimental Sergeant Major, a Welsh Guardsman, but his request to serve in the South Atlantic was refused. Six of Martin’s recruits were killed on 8th June when the RFA Sir Galahad was bombed by Argentinian Skyhawks at Port Pleasant, along with the loss of 42 other soldiers and sailors. Martin would go on to spend six weeks in the Falklands later in his career, which he recalls as a barren and beautiful place with a persistent biting wind, where penguins would look up, then fall over when overflown by a helicopter. Returning to the battalion, Martin did the Senior Brecon Course, earning a distinction and further promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Just over two months after his promotion, he was called for personally by the Commanding Officer who posted him back to Brecon, now as a Colour Sergeant aged just 24. Martin loved this posting and spent some three and a half years there. It was during this time that a Junior NCO exercise in demolition one Friday morning resulted in a ‘flashthrough’ of the detonation cord, which burnt through its

whole length in a matter of seconds, giving Martin and three other soldiers no time to get away. The explosion hit Martin as he turned away to the left, resulting in extensive injuries down his right side. All four soldiers were evacuated to Hereford by special forces helicopter, Martin displacing the co-pilot to sit in the jump seat whilst the other three soldiers lay in the back on one stretcher and two six-foot tables, a Royal Green Jackets medic lying across them with a blanket to keep them warm as the helicopter had no doors – he received the Queen’s Commendation for his actions. Two of the soldiers lost arms, another lost fingers, and one of them eventually died of his injuries. Martin was the luckiest of

COMBINED CADET FORCE

the four: he lost an eye and, with it, his sense of depthperception and the all-important ability in a soldier to judge distance. After his recovery he remedied this by going into the hills with map, compass and camera, and relearnt the skill from scratch, and in so doing was able to stay in the post which he so loved at Brecon. After this posting he was asked to assist the Grenadier Guards in Africa, deploying to Kenya for three and a half months, and was then posted to Sandhurst for 18 months. On promotion to Warrant Officer Class 2, Company Sergeant Major, he returned to the Battalion for the first time in seven years, initially taking 4 Company away for one month on their Final Training Exercise. At the completion of the FTX a petition signed by the whole

Company was presented to the Commanding Officer, a never-before-seen request for their temporary Company Sergeant Major to stay on permanently. Accepting the job, he turned the company around: soldiers with debt and drug problems were cared for and given proper support. Returning to the UK, Martin took 4 Company to Northern Ireland to join what was the busiest area of operations in Lisnaskea. Martin did two tours of Northern Ireland and relished the distinctly challenging experience of soldiering there. Initially, the cap badge prevented members of the Irish Guards from joining the theatre of operations; though, in spite of this, most soldiers in the battalion had in fact served there as part of other regiments. When, though, the ban was lifted, the presence of Micks was received extremely well, and everyone was surprised at quite how much success was achieved. Martin served as a search advisor, coming under frequent attack by both rifle and mortar fire. He recalled one search which lasted three months and one day as part of OP WARRANT. Highly classified at the time, Martin and his team were searching for a bunker containing a weapons cache, which he never found; though it was discovered around five months later, and quite by accident, by a search dog, the entrance to its huge underground space hidden beneath the gate to a field of livestock. When the soldiers arrived it had already been emptied. Posted back to Sandhurst for his second tour, now as Company Sergeant Major, he remained just nine months before promoting to Regimental Sergeant Major at the age of just 34, a rarity amongst soldiers. Martin’s second tour in Northern Ireland came shortly before the Good Friday Agreement, when he saw first-hand the transition from patrolling with helmets and rifles ready, to patrolling in berets with rifles at their sides, before patrols ceased altogether – an opportunity eagerly seized upon by the IRA.

Major Martin F. Brennan Leaving the army, Martin took a job doing close protection for the Onassis Foundation, working overseas with the children and grandchildren of Aristotle Onassis, the man who married Jackie Kennedy. Keenly aware that he was missing his sons growing up, his wife Lisa saw the job of Adjutant advertised at Tonbridge School in 1999. Driving down to Tonbridge, Martin parked his car at the George & Dragon pub and changed into his suit and regimental tie. After the interview, the Bursar, former Sqn Ldr Ray Hart, told Martin he would have to wait a week to hear back, but in the end phoned him the following day to offer him the job, saying that there was clearly going to be nobody better. Martin started at Tonbridge on the first day of the new millennium: his office contained two green metal filing cabinets, a phone which was wired directly into the ceiling, and on an old wooden desk, three trays: intray, out-tray, ash-tray. Stores was empty and the garage was full of car parts. The life of the Army Section was limited to weapon training and the only camp was one 12-hour exercise on St Martin’s Plain. After 23 years and 3 months as Adjutant, Martin leaves a section and a contingent in rude health. Stores is fit to burst with all the kit needed to run three highly successful sections, and ever more of the building has been converted to meet the ever-increasing needs of a growing and successful CCF. A thoroughly honed training programme now includes as its centrepiece what many believe to be the very best CCF camp available to cadets of all ranks and experience levels in the country, known as Summer Camp, it is a week’s exercise in the Sennybridge Training Area, Brecon Beacons, intense and gruelling at times, but a load of fun all the time, it’s a week boys never forget. The Guard of Honour, started out as a

Quarter Guard in 2001, has developed from a group of twelve cadets to almost fifty on occasions, performing a ten-minute display of rifle drill, both stationary and marching, at the Annual General Inspection, in front of inspecting officers such as the Chief of Air Staff in 2018. The drill is entirely unmatched by cadets across the country. This has been recognised in invitations to perform at the Dover Tattoo in 2012, and more recently at the Presentation of Colours to the 4th Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment in April. This was an event attended by thousands, and the thirty cadets performed in the presence of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, who was covering for the regiment’s Colonelin-Chief Queen Margrethe II. Other VIPs consisted of Lieutenant General Douglas Chalmers, CB, DSO, OBE, current Colonel Commandant of the Queen’s Division, as well as Sergeant Major Johnson Beharry, VC, receiving the highest and most prestigious military decoration for valour in Iraq. Praise was thrown in from every direction, including senior army officers and the regs themselves, with some claiming the cadets to have outshone the regular soldiers on the Parade beforehand. The Guard is considered by many to be the single most impressive thing that happens at Tonbridge School, and this is all down to Martin’s commitment and brilliance. Martin’s legacy is shown in the fine state in which the contingent has been left, as well as the vast number of Old Tonbridgians who, thanks to his example and encouragement, have gone on to serve in the Armed Forces, including a Sandhurst Sword of Honour recipient. Martin is replaced by Sergeant Andrew Davison, formerly Household Cavalry and veteran of Afghanistan, who has settled in well, with the 4PWRR Presentation of Colours being his first experience in charge at Tonbridge, an event that went swimmingly. Alexander Peggie (HS) & Mr Stefan Hargreaves

SPORT First XI Hockey

t what was a season of continuous development for the 1st XI who looked to build on their experience in tier 1 League the year before. The term threw up challenges along the way but the impressive nature of how the team grew and learned to play with each other showed the true Tonbridge spirit. The boys had successfully demonstrated their understanding of how to press and play together with success after a tour to the Hague. After comfortably navigating the first round of the tier 2 cup with a 5-0 win over Claremont, Tonbridge drew Ardingly in the Cup. This was an eye-opening experience for the group: the team came up against junior internationals who were well drilled and came with intent. This was the start of a learning lesson for the Tonbridge boys about training intensity and the start of the journey toward what would be a successful season. A much-improved result vs Radley with players coming off the pitch beginning to understand their roles on the pitch and seeing an improvement in performance. This led to a 5-1 win over Bede’s in the cup competition where Tonbridge remained in control throughout the game, nullifying the threat from Bede’s and creating plenty of opportunities to extend the lead onwards. This was the springboard needed heading into the Frank Mason Tournament; the previous year Tonbridge reached the semi-final losing on penalty strokes to Eltham. The

boys understood that during tournament play you must play as a team and understand that player and game management would be important. Sebastian Stevenson (HS) made his first team debut at the tournament and the boys welcomed him with open arms as they looked to reach the final. Tonbridge topped the group without conceding a goal and went into the cup competition. What was impressive was that Tonbridge captain, Robin Docherty (PS), took his leadership role to the next level as he took match debriefs and motivated the boys. Tonbridge would continue to avoid conceding throughout the knockout phase of the tournament with wins over Ashford and a 4-0 win over St Lawrence. This led to an exciting final vs Eltham in which unfortunately Tonbridge conceded their only goal in the final three minutes of the game to lose and finish runners up. The attitude of the boys throughout the tournament and even at the point of losing was professional and speaks wonders for the group of boys who competed that day. This momentum then led into the 8-4 thrashing of Eton with a goal being scored by Docherty in the first 2 minutes of the games The boys, despite fatigue from a tournament just 2 days before, continued to play with professionalism and executed the game plan brilliantly. A small blip with the fixture against Cranleigh brought the boys back to earth with a lesson in earning the right to success. This idea of earning the right was showcased in the next two results where Tonbridge won their regional semi-final vs Ashford 4-1 and Sutton Valence 4-1 on the Saturday after.

HOCKEY Tonbridge had the honour of being invited, by former pupil Ollie Philips, to take part in the Varsity Exhibition game vs Warwick School. The game was a tight affair with Warwick being a two term hockey school who were part of the tier 1 league. With the game hanging in the balance at 3-2, Tonbridge took their keeper off to increase the numbers out on pitch and Bobby Smart (FH) scored the equalising goal. With momentum shifting an aerial from Wilf Stokhuyzen (JH) to Alex Macpherson (FH) almost finished the game with a first time volley which just missed the goal by the smallest of margins. The experience was one the boys won’t forget as they shared the Bob Bogdan Cup. Tonbridge unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of the Regional final vs Sutton Valence but a last game improvement vs St Lawrence which finished with a last ditch save from a penalty corner to seal the win finished the season on a high. The boys grew as individuals throughout the season with some fantastic individual performances however more importantly the team grew and developed throughout the year which will leave a legacy leading into next year’s Hockey. A Salmon

First XI Hockey Results Played: 19

Won: 11

Drawn: 3

v Claremont Won v Ardingly College Lost v Dulwich College Draw v Radley College Lost v Bede’s School Won v Kent College Draw v Cranbrook School Won v Duke of York’s Royal Mil. School Won v Langley Park School U18B Won v Ashford School Won v Eton College Won v Cranleigh School Lost v Ashford School Won v Sutton Valence School Won v St Georges 6s Cancelled v Hurstpierpoint College Lost v Varsity Exhibition Draw v Dulwich College Won v Sutton Valence School Lost v St Lawrence College Won

Lost: 0 5–0 1–8 3–3 1–3 5–1 0–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 8–4 1–5 4–1 4–1 2–3 3–3 5–0 3–6 3–2

Squad R. Docherty (PS), W. Stokhuyzen (JH), A. MacPherson (FH), J. Hazari-Webb (OH), S. Deans (OH), L. Bezuidenhout (WW), N. Webber (FH), G. Glen (SH), F. Ogilvie (HS), A. Rogers (HS), W. Lacey (PH), L. Williams (PS), R. Cox (FH), J. Burrows (JH), W. Harrison (JH), E. Hector (FH), B. Smart (FH) Also played: J. Vermeulen (CH), M. Bull (MH), S. Stevenson (HS)

Second XI Hockey

lack of numbers meant we had to heavily rely on the U16A team players to fulfil our fixtures. We had some convincing wins and some heavy losses, but throughout the effort of the players could not be faulted. Our best performances of the season came in the 8-0 win against Sutton Valence in which we scored some excellent goals, and a hard fought 3-1 loss to a very good Hurstpierpoint side, in which we took the lead but were not quite able to extend it and fell to a sucker punch when chasing an equaliser late on. J Ashton

SPORT Squad C. Phillpot (JH) (Captain), L. Bezuidenhout (WW), M. Bull (MH), C. Sneddon (OH), W. Clarke (PH), A. Tam (JH), T. Dunnet (HS), J. Burrows (JH), W. Harrison (JH), E. Greenslade (OH), R. Hockley Smith (FH). Also played: L. Dimond (PH), O. Dimond (PH), C Hinds (SH), B. Cole (PH), F. Cockaday (JH), Z. Nwogwugwu (HS)

Second XI Hockey Results Played: 7

Won: 4

v Ardingly College v Sevenoaks School U18A v Radley College v Eton College v Sutton Valence School v St Hurstpierpoint College v St Lawrence College

Drawn: 0

Lost: 3

Won Lost Lost Won Won Lost Won

6–0 0–4 1–8 4–2 8–0 1–3 4–1

Third XI Hockey

his term a small number of students opted to play third team hockey. These students were promptly sent to the foundation cage for training and through Lawson’s survival of the fittest regime became ‘The Wild Bunch!’ Escaping out of the cage on match days, they were a highly dangerous set of cowboys, most of which didn’t even know the rules of the game. You think you know hockey, well think again. The wild bunch redefined what was possible with a hockey stick

and hockey ball, and not in a good way. Their favourite activity was a cage match that normally included numerous aerial passes whilst trying to avoid being savagely attacked by certain members of the squad. The situation improved when other players were drafted into the squad for match days. Even with the additional help, match days weren’t a fair contest. It was about courage, resilience and expressing oneself in a blaze of glory. This was a status quo Lawson, their coach, was not happy with and little by little the team got better. Motivation was given through a tournament called ‘Excalibur’. Students that consistently performed well in training earned points and at the end of the season the winner received a brand-new hockey stick called ‘Excalibur’ and was proclaimed ‘King Arthur’. This award was given to Edward Newman (WW). By the end of the season, the mindset of the team had changed. Winning was the goal and velocity, tempo, and a willingness to suffer was the mantra. Finding a way to win was a truly remarkable achievement by this small group of individuals. In a very short space of time, they have shown resilience, courage and more importantly, have earned each other’s respect. Arguably their toughest challenge was the last game of the season. Hurstpierpoint 3’s had beaten teams for fun, that we had lost heavily to. However, we had clear systems, and everybody played their part to make it a very special end to an extraordinary roller coaster of a season.

HOCKEY I want to thank every student who stepped up to support the third’s this season. It made a huge difference and helped generate an enjoyable and memorable experience for all concerned. M J Lawson

Squad T. Carrie (PS, capt.), E. Newman (WW), T. Charlesworth (WW), T. Favre (HS), W. Enskat (PH), A.Tam (PH), H. Cotton (PS), R. Mulley (CH), T. Karangoda (SH), J. Flint (WW), M.Slimani (JH), S. Ou (PS), E. Gadd-Chapman (CH)

Third XI Hockey Results Played: 6

Won: 2

v Reed’s v Radley v Eton v Cranleigh v Sutton Valence v Hurstpierpoint

Drawn: 0

Lost: 4

Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Won

0–1 1–5 0–4 0–2 6–0 4–3

Support J.Hargreaves (SH), O.Whittall (SH), K.McWilliams (SH), W.Huddy (JH), A.Schaeffer (SH), R.Louis (OH), B.Warren (MH), T.Dunnet (HS), W.Clarke (PH), E.Greenslade (OH), C.Impey (HS), H.Jacobs (FH), F.Cockaday (JH).

Under 16A Hockey

inning all Saturday fixtures, along with the Kent Cup and making it to the quarter final of the National Cup, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful season for the U16As.

matches before half-term, both competitive games, it was credit to the team’s work ethic in defence and accuracy in front of goal that led to 3-1 and 5-3 victories respectively.

The term began with a straightforward 9-0 vs Dulwich College. A mismatch in terms of ability, it was a chance for the forwards to gain plenty of confidence in front of goal.

The Kent Cup, held at King’s Canterbury, provided an opportunity to play an expanded squad of players and, hence, allow those who may not have played many A team matches the opportunity to play tournament hockey. Winning all matches other than a draw against Skinners’, both teams were unbeaten and so the result was decided with Tonbridge having a superior goal difference.

St Lawrence College were the visitors for a midweek fixture in the 2nd round of the National Cup; sure to be a test and in near freezing conditions, the side rose to the challenge and won the game 3-1. The fixture against Reed’s was unfortunately lost to the weather. Radley and Eton were the two remaining

There were only two Saturday fixtures played during the second half of term. First up was Cranleigh and a confident display on the Foundation Astro produced a

SPORT

Under 16A Hockey Results Played: 10

6-0 win. A nail-biting midweek cup game vs Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School saw us win 1-0 and progress to play away at Whitgift in the national quarterfinal. The game at Whitgift was sadly a step too far. There were a number of passages of play where it seemed there wasn’t a great deal between the two sides, however, a slick short corner routine and ruthlessness inside the D led to eight unanswered goals being conceded. A convincing 8-1 win against Hurst in the final match of the season capped off the season for the U16As. Going through the term unbeaten in regular school fixtures is no mean feat.

Won: 9

Drawn: 0

Lost: 1

v Simon Langton Won v Dulwich College Won v St Lawrence College Won v Radley College Won v Eton College Won v Cranleigh School Won v SJWMS Won v Whitgift Lost v Hurst Won

1–0 9–0 3–1 3–1 5–3 6–0 1–0 8–0 8–1

Many thanks have to go to Mr Schweitzer for umpiring all the matches as well as providing valuable insight and experience. Also, to all of the boys for being a pleasure to coach and a credit to the Tonbridge School Hockey Club. Marcus O’Riordan

Squad E. Hector (captain) (FH), L. Dimond (PH), O. Dimond (PH), C. Hinds (SH), B. Smart (FH), Z. Nwogwugwu (HS), R. Cox (FH), F. Cockaday (JH), B. Cole (PH), C. Impey (HS), H. Jacobs (FH), J. Kirkland (WH), W. Huddy (JH), JC. Vermeulen (CH) Also played: B. Warren (MH), R. Louis (OH), T. Jones (PH), S. Stevenson (HS)

Under 16B Hockey

he U16B XI impressed with their competitiveness and whole-hearted commitment throughout the season. Although outgunned in the first match of the season against Radley, the side marshalled a superb rear-guard action which came within five minutes of securing a 0-0 draw. In the final match of the season, they fought back from 0-2 down to get back on level terms and came within a whisker of securing a win with the last play of the game when an Alec Schaeffer (SH) shot flashed past the post. By the end of the season, the U16B’s were a side which would have had a real chance of beating all the sides they played. Heavily dependent, at the start of the season, on the stick skills of captain Jacob Louis (OH) at sweeper and the deceptively skilful Bertie Warren (MH) at centre-mid to give the side structure, the team struggled to get the ball out of defence and to pose a goal threat. However, galvanised by the arrival of the talented Alec Schaeffer, and strengthened by the conversion of Bertie

Van Bilderbeek (MH) into a forward as well as the development of Sami Barker (OH) into a very effective defender, suddenly counter attacks and goals became possible. At the back, Amir Deane (WW) also proved an uncompromising defender and James Cameron (SH) showed good touch. In midfield, David Ng (PH) and Thomas Carruthers (JH) both worked hard at left and right half to give the team a platform, while up front, Hugh Berry (WW) chased and harried effectively, and

Under 16B Hockey Results Played: 4

Won: 0

v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh v Hurstpierpoint

Drawn: 1

Lost: 3

Lost Lost Lost Draw

0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2

HOCKEY Arthur Scott (PS) dribbled well. Subomi Kolaojo (PS) also gave the side a more physical presence and electric pace as he showed some raw promise in a cameo at the end of the season. It was a frustrating season in some respects, with too few fixtures and a side which took time to develop but by the end, there was a lot of promise on display. If they all stick with the game, then there is potential here for some good senior sides. R D Hoare Squad R. Louis (Captain) (OH), S. Barker (OH), H. Berry (WW), J Cameron (SH), T. Carruthers (JH), A. Deane (WW), J. Forman (PH), S. Kolaojo (PS), J. Montague-Davie (Sc), C. Ng (PH), C. Osborne (FH), A. Schaeffer (SH), A. Scott (PS), A. Singh (PS), B. Van Bilderbeek (MH), W Warren (MH) Also played: K. McWilliams (SH), B. Sheppard (Sc)

Under 15A Hockey

n a cold morning in October, we headed off to Holland for a much-anticipated tour which kick-started the transformation of our team from an argumentative U14 side to an U15 side ready to play proper hockey. We won 2 out of 3, including one landslide victory, and we were now ready for the season with one leg up from last year. The season started with an away day to Ardingly where we lost 3-1 to a really strong team which included some 1st XI players, but despite the score, we walked off the pitch feeling positive because we had enjoyed playing some good hockey. We were able to replicate and build on this performance against Dulwich, where alongside some attractive hockey, we improved our communication skills, enabling us to

Under 15A Hockey Results Played: 9

Won: 3

v Ardingly College v Dulwich v Reed’s v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh School v Sutton Valence v Hurstpierpoint College v St Lawrence College

Drawn: 0

Lost: 6

Lost Won Lost Won Lost Lost Won Lost Lost

3–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 1–0 7–0 6–2 3–0

pass our way around Dulwich and win 2-0. Isaac Rosier (OH) demonstrated his raw pace in this game and was a menace to every Dulwich player. We built on this again when, despite missing some key players (particularly Benjamin Wontner (SH) in defence), we went on to win 2-0 against a side that we lost 3-0 to last year. This was also the first time that Luke Hague (WH) and Douglas Barr (Sc) stepped up to play for us and we were very grateful for their help. Cranleigh was, in my opinion the best game of the season. A slightly altered formation which saw Edward Taylor (FH) play in an aggressive attacking position saw us play our best hockey of the year knowing that they would be one of the best teams we play. At the 58 minute-mark, having dominated for large swathes of the game (and thanks to some fantastic triple saves from Sebastian Stevenson (HS)) we begun to push hard for the win, finding ourselves time and time again denied by Cranleigh’s keeper. It was heart-breaking to finish on the wrong side of this game when, having pushed so hard for the win, they caught us on the break. We realised that we just needed to be more clinical at the back post to win. Back at home we played Sutton Valence for our biggest win of the year (7-0). Having worked on our weakness from the weak before, we were finally clinical at the back post. Jasper Southgate (MH) was effective in several different positions and Tiger Bussey (SH) used his sensational pace to good effect in this match! I suppose the season could be categorised into two halves and we struggled after this point. An excellent Hurstpierpoint, who had played in National Finals earlier in the week, beat us comfortably. We didn’t get out of the blocks quickly enough, although we

SPORT showed some grit to score 2 goals, largely thanks to a burst of energy and go forward from Ted Jones (PH). Despite having put ourselves in an excellent position at half time, we reverted to type in the second half. This form continued into the Peter Firminger tournament where we departed far too early. Although we played some of our absolute best hockey in patches, we found tournament hockey tough as we struggled with the same issues we had suffered from all season. All credit to Hugo Smith (SH), William McDougall (JH), and Maximillian Copper (WW) for stepping up to take penalty flicks in our quarter final – a task that many of us would not have liked to have done. Thanks to Benjamin Cheeseman (PH) too who travelled despite being unwell – he epitomised the team spirit we have been building this season. Finally, we finished the season with St Lawrence who we knew were going to be tough, having already played them in the tournament and knowing that they had several very talented international players. Thomas Porter (HS)

commanded the troops very effectively from the back – it was a tough afternoon for him! Despite losing, we played some great hockey, and we knew that if we had played that level of hockey against another opposition we would have come out with a win. Although the results do not quite paint the same picture, this was a great season and we had a lot of fun playing some great hockey - we feel that we’ve come a long way this year. I would like to thank Mr Storey-Mason for his brilliant positive coaching to keep us playing good hockey as a team throughout the season. Robert Greenway (JH) Squad R. Greenway (Captain) (JH), H. Smith (SH), S. Stevenson (HS), B. Cheeseman (PH), T. Porter (HS), J. Southgate (MH), T. Jones (PH), I. Rosier (OH), M. Copper (WW), T. Bussey (SH), B. Wontner (SH), E. Taylor (FH), W. McDougall (JH) Also played: N. Staples (WW), W. Barr (Sc), L. Hague (WH), D. Barr (Sc)

Under 15B Hockey Reed’s were always going to provide a big challenge; a two-term hockey school with a well drilled and physically strong team. Tonbridge battled hard and defended well, limiting Reeds to only the two goals where many more could have been conceded were it not for some excellent stops by Benjamin Sheppard (Sc) and a tenacious defence organised by William Barr (Sc).

t proved to be a very successful start to the term with Sevenoaks showing up with a diverse team of boys and girls from three year groups! There was some skill there, but a lack of a system and attacking power proved their undoing. Tonbridge took full advantage, holding their shape, moving the ball well and attacking with width. Alexander Bigaliy (FH) proved to be a devastating finisher from short range and ended up with a tally of four goals out of our six.

An evenly matched and tight game against Radley at home ended in a 2-2 draw before a trip to Eton that proved much more troubling than anticipated. They came out strong from the start and Tonbridge didn’t really have an answer. We lacked intensity, pace and width and struggled to create more than a couple of reasonable chances in the first half. After a half time ‘wake up call’ from coach Biddle, the squad played with more vigour and purpose in the second half, creating more space and attacks and managing to get on the score sheet. However, Eton still proved to be the better team, executing quicker passes and using their pace to move the ball into attacking and scoring positions to increase their lead at the end of the game. Cranleigh started strongly and got the upper hand from the get go. They played with greater confidence and pace and were 1-0 up at half time after repeated attacks,

HOCKEY mostly thwarted by an industrious Tonbridge defence. Tonbridge were very unlucky not to equalise early in the second half having hit the left post and if this had gone in, I sense that our confidence and intensity would have lifted and the game would have headed in a different direction. As it was, Cranleigh kept the upper hand and were able to convert three more goals before the final whistle. Tonbridge started with greater urgency and effectiveness against a weak Sutton Valence and despite being only 1-0 up at half time thanks to a short range effort from Bigaliy, we had multiple waves of attacks that got us into the opposition D and close to their goal. Our performance was a pleasure to watch as the ball was worked quickly and purposely around the pitch with everyone getting regular touches. Sutton Valence possession was quickly turned over too. Harry Kirsop (WW) was moved to centre forward and the wings Max Warren (PS) and Arya Soni (SH) (promoted from the C’s for the afternoon) were briefed to carry the ball to the back line before dribbling in towards the goal. This resulted in a quick hattrick from Kirsop and goals from Hugo Bromley (PS) and Warren himself. 6-0 at full time and some happy faces! Hurstpierpoint proved a challenging game from the start. They showed great pace on and off the ball and moved the ball quickly upfield into attacking positions. Our defence was kept busy all game as was Ben Sheppard in goal, who managed to keep their tally to only two goals in the first half. Tonbridge struggled to move the ball upfield thanks to a dense midfield and effective press by the opposition. When we did enter their D, we looked dangerous and managed to get a goal back before half time. It was a very similar picture in the second half which was also won by Hurstpierpoint. Final score 4-2. Our final game took us all the way to St Lawrence College, but it proved a very successful one with Tonbridge dominating from the start and winning comfortably 5-2, with Bigaliy finishing the season as he started with 4 goals to his name. A suitable way to finish a rewarding and enjoyable term for all involved. Looking back to our early performances, both individuals and the squad as a whole showed great progress. We played with determination and great sportsmanship. W D F Biddle

Squad W. Barr (captain) (Sc), A. Bigaliy (FH), H. Bromley (PS), A. de Silva Wijeyeratne (WW), T. Fell-Gagnere (PS), G. Huxtable (PH), O. Maltarp (PS), E. Pearce (HS), H. Kirsop

(WW), B. Sheppard (Sc), N. Staples (WW), H. Tribe (HS), M. Warren (PS). Also played: A. Chan (JH), A. Soni (SH), H. Panaich (FH)

Third XI Hockey Results Played: 8

Won: 3

Drawn: 1

Lost: 4

Won Lost Draw Lost Lost Won Lost

6–1 0–2 2–2 1–4 0–4 6–0 2–4

v Sevenoaks School v Reed’s School v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh School v Sutton Valence School v Hurstpierpoint College

Under 15C Hockey

ur first match was away at Dulwich. We developed a good structure from the start. Dulwich created more attacking pressure, but our defence held firm and our goalkeeper made some excellent saves. In the second half both sides created some breakaway chances, but only Dulwich converted. Home against Reed’s, both sides had a good structure, but they were slightly sharper with the passing and stopping. Again our defence coped well under steady pressure, and our goalkeeper made many saves. And we created more good opportunities on the break. Away at Radley, we were up against a team who put us under relentless pressure. We conceded goals frequently. The main difficulty was clearing the ball from our 16s. Our forwards had a few moments at the far end, but Radley’s defence was too organized for these to last long. We were home against Eton – another good side. Our marking was much tighter and we were better at clearing our 16s. We earned our first (and only) goal of the season from Arya Soni (SH). We had further chances in the second half, so the match was closer than the final scoreline. Away at Cranleigh, they were faster and stronger than us. But we played some intelligent hockey. Cranleigh’s hard-hitting shots eventually paid off. 1-0 at half time was a fair place to be, but we conceded two further goals. We had some chances but were unable to convert them. Our final game was home against Hurstpierpoint. They had more time in our D, but we were looking dangerous on the break. The game became increasingly ill-disciplined but still finely balanced. A goal for Hurst

SPORT

Under 15C Hockey Results Played: 6

Won: 0

v Dulwich B v Reed’s D v Radley v Eton College v Cranleigh v Hurstpierpoint

Drawn: 0

Lost: 6

Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost

0–1 0–4 0–6 1–4 0–3 0–1

sealed a completely beaten season for us. But we have played some good hockey and have all improved over the term. Particular thanks should go to our reliable and talented goalkeeper Luke Bray (OH). J D King Squad J. Ballantyne-Grant (JH), L. Bray (OH), T. Burnett (WW), A. Chan (JH), J. Cheung (MH), K. Lin (OH), J. Ogundipe (CH), H. Panaich (FH), H. Paterson (CH), B. Rainsford (CH), Q. Rumpf (MH), S. Shin (HS), A. Soni (SH).

Under 14A Hockey

his could certainly be described as a developmental season for the U14As. There is no lack of technical ability in the group, though it took until half term for the team to start gelling and playing some coherent hockey. The season began with a scrappy game against Dulwich that was almost totally devoid of any structure! Despite the victory, it was clear there was much work to be

done. Next we decided to give a strong Reed’s side a 3-0 head start within the first five minutes, which in hindsight (and probably without hindsight, too) was a bad idea. A stronger, fighting second half performance couldn’t repair the damage. Radley was a very even game, 2-2 at half time thanks to two well-taken, closerange James Moore (JH) finishes, who was to score the majority of the team’s goals over the season. However, in what became a regular pattern, two evenly matched sides did not produce an even result, and Radley ran out comfortable winners. Next up was the Kent Cup. A by now traditionally slow Tonbridge start to the day led to a narrow loss, before a much more convincing win in the second, and final, group game set up a quarter final against St Edmund’s. In another close, 20-minute game, we couldn’t quite squeeze in an equaliser and returned home prematurely and sadly empty-handed. The promise of no period 6 if we reached the final was clearly not enough of a carrot. The less said about the Eton game, the better… what is for certain is that the team finally realised that profligate finishing and a complete disregard for marking players and tracking back does not lead to good results! The team returned re-energised after the half term break, with noticeably improved attitudes and application in training. Despite a frustratingly familiar storyline – an even game resulting in a narrow loss – the first game back against Cranleigh was promising, and the team took another step forward with a superb fightback to draw 3-3 against a talented Sutton Valence side. This battling determination shown after half term was great to see and a positive sign for next season. In the first half of the Hurstpierpoint game, the team played its best hockey of the year – free-flowing and bombarding the Hurst D. Unfortunately, they had one outstanding player who single-handedly carried them to an unlikely victory, despite the team’s best efforts (and mine, by green carding him). The final game of the year took us to Kent’s Costa del Sol: Ramsgate. We were greeted rather surprisingly by glorious sunshine and less surprisingly by a strong St Lawrence side punctuated with some

HOCKEY

Under 14A Hockey Results Played: 11

Won: 2

Drawn: 2

Lost: 7

v Dulwich College Won 2–1 v Reed’s School Lost 0–5 v Radley College Lost 2–5 v Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (Kent Cup) Lost 0–1 v Duke of York’s Royal Military School Kent Cup) Won 3–1 v St Edmund’s School, Canterbury (Kent Cup) Lost 1–2 v Eton College Lost 2–10 v Cranleigh School Lost 2–4 v Sutton Valence School Draw 3–3 v Hurstpierpoint College Lost 3–4 v St Lawrence College Draw 1–1

German-sounding and -looking talent. The performance of the season from goalkeeper Augustin Laurencin (Sc), including four excellent first half saves, and strong

defending across the pitch meant we secured a welldeserved draw, which was a pleasing end to a difficult, but nonetheless enjoyable season. The team was led ably by Douglas Barr (Sc), who ran the midfield alongside Luke Hague (WH), while player of the season Max Meredith (WW) marshalled the defence very well. There was much improvement across the squad and many players got a taste of the action, meaning the team is in a better position than at the start of the year; I am confident the team will secure improved results next season under the JASM regime (pending contract renewa!) A J Moen Squad D. Barr (captain) (Sc), T. Baker (FH), J. Dyckhoff (CH), L. Hague (WH), W. Kemkers (PH), A. Laurencin (Sc), A. Macaskill (SH), M. Meredith (WW), J. Moore (JH), L. Selvey-Clinton (CH), G. Slater (JH), M. van Rossen (OH), S. van Tiggelen (JH), J. Williams (CH) Also played: R. Clews (CH), D. Kurmanbayev (Sc), C. Skarbek (FH), M. Stockill (JH)

Under 14B Hockey

t was clear from the very first session of the season that this U14B team was blessed with some very talented players, a mix of skilful hockey players and sportsmen. The team excelled in training and displayed a strong work ethic from the beginning. Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalise fully when we came up against two strong sides early in the season in Reed’s and Radley but we learned a lot from those two defeats. We played our best hockey against Cranleigh and Hurstpierpoint, absorbing a lot of pressure early on before finding our game in the second half and rallying to secure a draw. Up front we had Charles Skarbek (FH) who hugely helped us during the season by scoring goals regularly which kept us in the game, including a penalty flick early on against Cranleigh. Also up front we had Nick Koep (PH) who had a huge work ethic and would always be running up and down the pitch but, unfortunately, not finding a way to put the ball in the goal. Monty Gee (HS) was a key link-man in attack: he could dribble past defenders and put the ball through for others to chase, and was involved in lots of goals which the team scored. Holding the defence, we had Robert Paton (Sc) and Dalen Kurmanbayev (Sc) who would always be there to stop the attacking player, whilst then being able to clear the ball up field. Next to the two of them was Fergus Malone (WW) and Jamie Neill (MH); Jamie would have

a huge work ethic when it came to game day and would always be working his hardest to win the ball back – careering all over the pitch in his attempt to do so – whilst Fergus did the same but stayed back a little more to hold the fort. Douglas Murray (Sc) made the position of keeper his own, making some amazing saves against the better teams keeping us in games which we might otherwise have found ourselves behind in. The mixture of anticipation and reactions make him an incredibly good shot-stopper. As sweeper we had Thomas Adams (Sc) who would help out the defence but also put in many good balls to help out our two strikers. On the left wing we had Kether Nwaki (PH) who when given the ball was brilliant at dribbling through the defence and showing off his amazing skills and speed. In the central midfield we had Rory Thomson (HS) who kept the team together and was vocal in defence and attack. He showed great determination and managed to get a few important assists and rounded off the season playing at striker and scoring a lovely deflection to take his goal tally for the season to one. By Rory’s side was Rufus Clews (CH) who showed some lovely touches throughout the season and Magnus Jobber (SH) who, out of everyone on the team, showed

SPORT

Under 14C Hockey

he U14Cs had a stuttering season and struggled to find their rhythm. Selection decisions led to regular changes to the team and it was difficult for players to build partnerships around the pitch and for the team to establish a sense of cohesion. Nevertheless, the boys impressed at times during each of the matches, with positives to build on following every game.

great heart and had the biggest sense of determination. Jobber managed to do many goal saving pieces of defence, but he also managed to win the ball back and seek the space in the field. Overall, it was a very enjoyable season with some very good wins, some epic draws and a couple of disappointing losses but it was great to finish the season on an upward trajectory. Monty Gee (HS) & Rory Thomson (HS)

Squad M. Gee (captain) (HS), R. Thomson (HS), D. Murray (Sc), R. Paton (Sc), J. Neill (MH), F. Malone (WW), D. Kurmanbayev (Sc), T. Adams (Sc), M. Jobber (SH), K. Nwaki (PH), C. Skarbek (FH), N. Koep (PH), R. Clews (CH). Also Played: R. Lane (HS), T. Millett (WH), M. Van Rossen (OH), M. Gustard (WH), C. Doughty (WH), J. Dyckhoff (CH), N. Rayko (WW), F. Stevenson (CH), T. Hunt (HS), A. Laurencin (Sc), A. Macaskill (SH), T. Daly (OH).

Under 14B Hockey Results Played: 8

Won: 4

v Dulwich College v Reed’s School v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh school v Sutton Valence School v Hurstpierpoint College v St Lawrence College

Drawn: 2

Lost: 2

Won Lost Lost Won Draw Won Draw Won

5–0 0–2 0–3 2–1 2–2 2–2 3–3 4–1

After a narrow defeat in the first game, the Cs faced a stiff challenge against a well organised team from Reed’s. Despite Reed’s strong defence, the Cs scored a good goal after a flowing move down the right wing, providing a blueprint for the goals scored in a welldeserved victory against Radley College the following week. Pleasingly in that game, Tonbridge worked hard to win back the ball when out of possession, running just as hard without the ball as when they had it. Unfortunately, the team’s downfall for most of the season was leaving gaps for the opposition to exploit, but on this occasion, they kept their concentration and earned a convincing victory. With Christopher Walker (SH) and Caspar Sumner (SH) making runs behind the defence on both flanks, and Finn Stevenson (CH) taking up good positions in front of goal, the forward line enjoyed its most effective game. Monty Gustard (WH) added to their potency when he joined the team later in the season. In the midfield, the boys won their individual battles and worked well as a unit, never straying too far from each other, and offering to receive the ball from the player in possession. Thomas Millett (WH), playing in the centre of midfield, was the team’s MVP. A tidy player with good skills, Thomas improved as he learnt to pass the ball quickly and became the fulcrum for the team.

HOCKEY Tiarnan Daly (OH) captained the team and marshalled the defence. The Cs came to rely on Tiarnan’s powerful hitting, and with the guile and skill of Rafer Lane (HS) by his side, they tried their best to thwart the opposition strikers. During the heavy defeats against Eton and Cranleigh, these two were often overwhelmed in defence despite the fullbacks doing their best to cover. In Nathanel Rayko (WW) and Hugo Cleaver (JH), the Cs were fortunate to have capable players in these fullback positions and when they received the ball could initiate attacks down their respective wings. Thomas Hunt (HS) was a reluctant goalkeeper but made some valuable saves. Overall, the players showed potential, and I hope they enjoyed the season. They are learning the importance of teamwork and sticking to a gameplan, and as they develop, I am sure they will be successful in the seasons ahead. N C Waite

Squad T. Daly (captain) (OH), H. Cleaver (JH), C. Doughty (WH), M. Gustard (WH), E. Hewitt (HS), R. Lane (HS), T. Millett (WH), A. Peggie (HS), N. Rayko (WW), F. Stevenson (CH), M. Stockill (JH), C. Sumner (SH), C. Walker (SH), T. Hunt (HS) Also played: D. Murray (Sc)

Under 14C Hockey Results Played: 7

Won: 2

v Dulwich College v Reed’s School v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh College v Sutton Valence School v Hurstpierpoint College

Drawn: 0

Lost: 5

Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Won Lost

0–1 1–2 3–0 0–3 0–5 2–0 1–3

Under 14D Hockey

real journey for the U14D side this season – at times some bumps in the road, and not always certainty where the driver was heading, but ultimately settling down into something like steady progress. The first three matches saw the side learn how to play together. Had we played Dulwich at the end of the season, we would surely have beaten them; but good possession was not converted into takeable chances, and we lost to a breakaway goal. After a fine performance between the sticks, Augustin Laurencin (Sc) headed towards the A team; Douglas Murray (Sc) took over and performed with real distinction against Radley and Eton, before being promoted himself. The home fixture against Radley saw the team start to gel; the Ferdi Haywood (JH) – Zac Tilley (SH) – Robin Burbidge (SH) defensive axis imposed itself at the back, and assured work in midfield from Frederick von Danwitz (HS), Federico De Sisto (SH) and Arthur Millns (MH) gave us some control and an attacking threat. This time chances were created – but rather too many were spurned. The away fixtures at Eton and Cranleigh which followed were certainly the toughest matches of the season, but they were also the crucible in which a real team spirit was forged. The Cranleigh match in particular was our best display of the term: a 0-1 loss, but a brave, disciplined and hard-running performance against physically strong and skilful opponents – and featuring a goalkeeping performance for the ages from the heroic Thomas Hunt (HS), our third keeper of the term, who saved five or so certain goals despite carrying an injury. By the time the Sutton Valence fixture arrived, the side

knew how it wanted to play; critically, it had also acquired a genuine goal threat with the arrival of Aidan O’Halloran (CH) from the Es. Aidan’s pace on the right wing terrified defenders, and his decisive finishing showed what we had been lacking in the first half of term. Piers Samuels (PS), the side’s most-improved player, also came into his own at centre-forward. Many thanks to Mr Stephen, who stepped in for the fixture at Hurst when I had Covid; not only did Mr S lead the side, he promptly binned the usual coach’s cautious tactics (which had clearly hamstrung the team’s creativity all term): by all accounts the 2-2 draw was the most exciting match of the season, with Aidan again to the fore. This was an enjoyable term with a great bunch of lads. Special thanks to Frederick von Danwitz for leading the

SPORT side by example, and with panache: Freddie was our player of the season. I hope many of the boys involved will go on to enjoy future seasons in the Hockey club. J R Burbidge Squad F. von Danwitz (Captain) (HS), D. Murray (Sc), T. Hunt (HS), A. Da Costa (MH), F. Haywood (JH), Z. Tilley (SH), R. Burbidge (SH), F. De Sisto (SH), B. Thomas (CH), A. Millns (MH), O. Richens (PS), R. Pointon (WH), P. Samuels (PS), F. Samuels (PS), S. Booth (PH), R. Cai (JH), A. O’Halloran (CH), G. Brown (WW) Also played: A. Laurencin (Sc)

Under 14D Hockey Results Played: 6

Won: 1

v Dulwich College v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh School v Sutton Valence School v Hurstpierpoint College

Drawn: 2

Lost: 3

Lost Draw Lost Lost Won Draw

0–1 1–1 0–1 0–1 3–0 2–2

Under 14E Hockey

he talent and commitment of this squad could be seen by how many boys in the squad moved up to play for the U14D team in the second half of the season (fitting in and being most effective Dr Burbidge reports). This was not only a product of the quality of the players but also their ambition to play at the highest level they could. Irrespective of the weather, location, or opposition, one could guarantee that come match day, the boys of the U14E team would be ready to give their all. As a team, they developed their patterns of play and became capable of effectively varying their tactics to best meet the situation confronting them. Sometimes direct, aggressive, and bullish, at other times, looking to spread opposition teams across the pitch, showing patience and control. The boys should feel proud of their performances, as individuals, and as a team, and I hope to see many of them playing next season at U15 level. C M Ashurst Squad R. Cai (JH) (Captain), A. Da Costa (MH), Z. Farooqi (PS), G. Lipman (FH), H. Way (FH), T. Teacher (Sc), J. Seddon (WH), B. Wild (WW), B. Ellis (MH), M. Teh (HS), D. Olawale (HS), H. Munn (MH), A. O’Halloran (CH)

Under 14E Hockey Results Played: 3

Won: 0

v Radley College v Eton College v Cranleigh School

Drawn: 2

Lost: 1

Lost Draw Draw

0–2 3–3 0–0

Under 14F Hockey

was too naïve when I accepted the challenge of buying McDonald’s for the whole U14F squad if they ended up having an unbeaten season, for these guys made me suffer until the end. Looking back, who wouldn’t have accepted it? They were the “bottom” team I had the pleasure to coach and had just won their very first fixture against Reed’s School (the only Tonbridge team that won on that occasion by the way). The excitement was noticeable but there were still many fixtures to be played and I was in a safe position for now. Funnily enough, I ignored the fact that there were only two more games left! I remember having mixed feelings about my boys’ performance at Radley: I started to fear having to pay a huge bill anytime soon, while I witnessed how something as small as a BigMac could get these boys to work as a team. The communication and team spirit were fascinating, worthy of analysis, and soon they all made sound progress with their hockey sticks. Unfortunately, Eton ruined our dream, and some could claim that my umpiring there was suspiciously questionable. A shame really, or maybe not, for we stayed motivated until the end, and we played beautifully. A simple Big Mac and a pair of fries had kept us together. J Cerezuela Ortega

Squad A. Choi (FH), J. Chow (MH), M. Davidson (CH), M. Enelamah (FH), Z. Grobler (WW), R. Ho (Sc), N. Longe (PH), A. Rice (WW), D. Tam (PS), N. Tam (MH), C. Tsang (HS), L. Wong (Sc)

Under 14F Hockey Results Played: 3

Won: 2

v Reed’s School v Radley College v Eton College

Drawn: 0

Lost: 1

Won Won Lost

2–0 1–0 0–1

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL First XI Football

onbridge looked to build on last season’s strong finish with games in ISFA competitions in the Michaelmas Term. The American School in London were welcomed to the OT Pitch, on an overcast, windy day. Whilst the conditions did not help, the first half performance was poor. Tonbridge looked too eager to play forward and play aerially, rather than control the football match with their possession. A much improved second half saw Ollie Grant (PS) latch onto a cross from Alexander Smith-Stephens (OH) for the first goal of the season. David Oteng-Ntim (Sc) was in the right place at the right time to profit from a goalkeeping error and secure the win. The next round of the ISFA Cup was a frustrating affair against ACS Cobham. Tonbridge could not capitalise on their spells of possession and Cobham looked dangerous on the break. A lot of chances were squandered; the best coming from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the first half, but the Cobham goalkeeper had the answer for Alex Belliere’s (CH) shot. With the score still at 0-0 after extra time, Tonbridge were knocked out of the ISFA Cup 4-2 on penalties.

The ISFA Trophy is a new competition this year for schools ranked outside the top 20 in the country. The first game against University College School was a nervy encounter. Tonbridge dominated possession but did not find a goal until the second half when Jimi Adesanya (PH) headed home from a corner. He came close later on when a second effort was ruled out for offside. A second goal which would have made the game comfortable never came, despite the pressure from Tonbridge. Five minutes from time, Zachary Johnson (CH) brought down the UCS striker inside the area and the penalty was scored to level and take the game to extra time. Neither side went on to get a winner, but Johnson redeemed himself, making two crucial saves in the shootout to send Tonbridge through to the next round. This came away at Chigwell, and with captain Charlie Thompson (HS) and Inigo Pullen (PH) missing with injury, Alex Belliere led the side out to an emphatic victory. A slight change of formation proved key for Tonbridge to create many chances and open up the Chigwell defence. Konstantin Mamkhegov (PH) was an assured presence at the back to replace the injured Thompson and showed

SPORT hand side with Mamkhegov and Grant combining well. St Paul’s struggled to adapt to the conditions and looked vulnerable when being pressed at the back. Alexander Smith-Stephens profited from a misplaced pass, took on the full-back and crossed the ball across the face of the goal for Max Ejje to slide in and open the scoring. Zach Johnson made some crucial saves to rescue the side after some under hit passes in the wet conditions gifted the ball to the St Paul’s attackers and Tonbridge went into the break 1-0. St Paul’s grew into the game though and earned a penalty to level the scores. With 10 minutes to go, Max Ejje scored his second goal of the game as he whipped a free kick into the top corner from 30 yards out!

his class as a ball-playing centre back. Patrick Hughes (HS) had a lot of success down the left-wing and goals from Adesanya, Belliere and Max Ejje (CH) in the first half put the result beyond doubt. A final goal from Ben Pearl (Sc) sealed the win. The next time the side would be together was on the tour to Manchester City. With some excellent sessions and a strong 6-1 win against the Urban Soccer Academy, the side were ready for the Lent Term. The first game against Brighton was a good test ahead of the league fixtures. After Adesanya opened the scoring with a well-taken goal, Alex Belliere doubled the lead after a brilliant through ball from Milo Denny (WH). It seemed that Tonbridge would go on to score more in the second half, but some sloppy defending meant that Brighton pulled one back to make it a tense last quarter of the game. That was, until Inigo Pullen was brought down by a reckless challenge in the area. Pullen stepped up to slot the spot kick home to calm the nerves and Tonbridge secured a 3-1 win. Tonbridge had a tough run of fixtures in the first half of term. St Paul’s a tricky opener, then Harrow, traditionally the strongest side in the league and finally last season’s champions, Dulwich. A terrible week of weather ahead of the St. Paul’s fixture forced the game down onto the lower fields as standing water on The Stadio made it unplayable. A focussed warm-up and calm words from the captain asking the Tonbridge side to start quickly came ahead of the first whistle. Tonbridge did just that, enjoying strong spells of possession down the left-

Tonbridge were back on The Stadio the following week against Harrow – arguably the best side in the league. Harrow started well, moving the ball quickly, but they were not expecting Tonbridge to match them for energy, to press quickly and effectively and shut down any potential openings. Tonbridge also backed their ability to play proper football, with everyone willing to take the ball and pass the ball. Max Ejje opened the scoring with a free kick. The Harrow goalkeeper can feel unlucky having gotten fingertips to the ball, but he could only manage to push it onto the inside of the upright. Ollie Grant could have put Tonbridge two goals to the good from the spot but put his penalty over the bar. Harrow equalised just before half-time exposing a defensive error as Tonbridge failed to close down the striker quickly enough to block the shot. In the second half, Milo Denny scored the

FOOTBALL

winner as he retrieved the ball from a cleared corner and jinked his way past three defenders, whipping the ball inside the post, beyond the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand. Tonbridge with maximum points from the first two fixtures took pole position in the race for the Charles Alcock Cup. An interesting game against Dulwich came next. Not only was this a league fixture, but also, the ISFA Trophy Quarter Final to avoid fixture congestion. Tonbridge began the stronger and dominated possession, controlling the football match and creating a number of good chances. Max Ejje thought he had taken the lead from another of his famous free kicks, only for this to be ruled out as an offside player was impeding the goalkeeper. Whilst Dulwich had good technical players, they were no match for the Tonbridge back three in the air and chances were restricted. As the game went on into the second half, neither side had the composure in front of goal to get the winner and so the league game ended with points shared. Into extra time the cup match went, and it was Charlie Thompson who was the difference between the sides. A corner from James Allan (WH) was put into a good area for the captain to volley into the back of the net. Feelings of relief came over Tonbridge that all that pressure during the game had finally paid off. Dulwich were deflated. Another game of great quality, played in a good spirit.

The Radley fixture provided a welcome break from the intensity of the league and cup competitions, although Tonbridge had to work hard for the win. Ben Pearl opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Max Ejje unfortunately equalised for Radley blocking a free kick from Radley past Zach Johnson. Inigo Pullen was fouled by the Radley goalkeeper and tucked away the penalty to secure the victory. After half term, Tonbridge played a well-organised Haileybury side. Alexander Smith-Stephens and Byron Doughty (WW) put Tonbridge 2-0 up, but Haileybury scored from a speculative ball into the box from a free kick, which was defended poorly, just before half time. A similar goal was conceded in the second half and the final score of 2-2 meant that Tonbridge dropped what could have been a significant point in the league title race. On the day, Haileybury wanted the result more than Tonbridge and it was a good warning that all teams are dangerous and that nothing can be taken for granted. The ISFA Trophy Semi-Final against Lancing College came next. Lancing had some early success down the left-hand side, with Alex Belliere almost playing as a right back, because of the positioning of the dangerous Lancing left-winger. Jimi Adesanya came close in the first half with a shot which was tipped over the bar by an excellent save. Byron Doughty and James Allan both had

SPORT

glorious chances to send Tonbridge through to the final in the second half but lacked composure in front of goal. Once again, Tonbridge entered extra-time. Lancing had progressed to this stage with comfortable wins and a bye, whereas Tonbridge had shown significant resilience to play through extended periods of pressure and had the experience of both extra time and penalties. It was this that gave the side confidence knowing Lancing were entering unchartered territory. Tonbridge played some of their best football of the day in extra time and a Max Ejje free kick almost snuck into the top corner before the final whistle blew. Tonbridge scored all of their penalties,

whereas Lancing missed their fourth, setting up a final against Cheadle Hulme School after the end of term. Attention then turned back to the league with three key games. Firstly, Tonbridge played some of their best football to date away at Berkhamsted. They passed the ball with precision, moved well off the ball and the opposition could not get near. This was a key game, and a win would rule out the possibility of Berkhamsted challenging for the title in the remaining fixtures. Inigo Pullen opened the scoring after Tonbridge won the ball high up the pitch. Moments later, Jimi Adesanya made it two. In the second half, Tonbridge continued to pile on the pressure and Adesanya and Doughty put Tonbridge 4-0 up. There was a late consolation penalty for Berkhamsted after Alexander Smith-Stephens mistimed a challenge in the box. A long away trip to Abingdon would prove successful. Alexander Smith-Stephens slotted home a square ball from Byron Doughty to put Tonbridge 1-0 up. He returned the favour later in the first half, playing a through-ball, which Doughty knocked over the defender’s head and then past the keeper. A defensive mix-up in which Zach Johnson hit a clearance into Charlie Thompson allowed the Abingdon striker to profit and put the ball into an empty net. Tonbridge were a little sloppy throughout the first half, perhaps some nerves creeping in, as a win all but secured the league title? SmithStephens calmed things in the second half when a longrange effort went through the goalkeeper to restore the

FOOTBALL two-goal advantage. With more composure, the scoreline could have been more, but the two points was the most important thing to take back home. A midweek fixture against Sevenoaks allowed a couple of U16 players their first taste of senior football. Jude Ogunkoya-Howland (SH) did not disappoint as he scored on début; Zac Moore (WW) was excellent in the second half after adjusting to the quicker pace of the game; and Oscar McIlwham (PS), up from the 2nd XI also showed himself to be more than capable at this level. A Byron Doughty hat-trick and a late goal from Charlie Thompson meant that Tonbridge were comfortable winners. Tonbridge knew going onto the final league fixture of the season that a point would be enough for their first league title since 2017. A tricky opening spell saw possession changing hands on multiple occasions and whilst Tonbridge gained a lot of success down the left with Ollie Grant and Byron Doughty, the final product was lacking. A tweak in formation and some excellent footwork from Doughty to skip past the fullback and get to the by-line created an opening which Inigo Pullen slotted home for his fifth of the season. A soft free kick was conceded, and a goalkeeping error allowed Epsom to equalise before the break. In the second half, Tonbridge had a number of chances to take all two points, but none

prevailed. A point was enough. When the final whistle blew, small celebrations broke out across the field of play, but Tonbridge knew there was still one more job to do to make this a historical season. The inaugural ISFA Trophy Final took place at Burnham FC against Cheadle Hulme School. Tonbridge had shown tremendous quality and spirit to get to this stage of the competition and the most important thing on the day would be to continue to play ‘The Tonbridge Way’ – to play the same way no matter what the score

SPORT First XI Football Results Played: 16

Won: 10

Drawn: 6

ISFA Cup 1st Round: v American School in London (Grant, Oteng-Ntim)

Won

2–0

ISFA Cup 2nd Round: v ACS Cobham Draw ACS Cobham won 4 – 2 on penalties

0–0

ISFA Trophy 1st Round: v University College School (Adesanya) Tonbridge won 4 – 2 on penalties

Draw

1–1

Won

4–0

v Brighton (Adesanya, Belliere, Pullen)

Won

3–1

v St. Paul’s (Ejje 2)

Won

2–1

v Harrow (Ejje, Denny)

Won

2–1

ISFA Trophy 2nd Round: v Chigwell (Adesanya, Belliere, Ejje, Pearl)

ISFA Trophy Quarter Final: v Dulwich Draw (Thompson) Tonbridge won 1 – 0 after extra time

0–0

v Radley (Pearl, Pullen)

Won

5–1

v Haileybury (Doughty, Smith-Stephens)

Draw

2–2

Draw

0–0

v Berkhamsted (Adesanya 2, Doughty, Pullen)

Won

4–1

v Abingdon (Smith-Stephens 2, Doughty)

Won

3–1

v Sevenoaks Won (Doughty 3, Ogunkoya-Howland, Thompson)

5–1

v Epsom (Pullen)

1–1

ISFA Trophy Semi-Final: v Lancing College Tonbridge won 5 – 3 on penalties

ISFA Trophy Final: v Cheadle Hulme (Pullen, Grant, Doughty)

Lost: 0

Draw

Won

3–1

– the way they had done so all season. A number of supporters made their way down to the ground for the game and renditions of both ‘Libera Me’ and ‘The Argo’ echoed around the stadium during the opening stages. Both sides looked to make use of any early possession with both having attempts on goal and Zach Johnson made some important saves early on to keep the scores level. Twenty minutes into the game, Inigo Pullen reached a through ball from Ollie Grant before the defender, rounded the keeper and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net to put Tonbridge 1-0 up. After half-time, Cheadle Hulme started brightly and made their possession pay, as a long-range effort went in off the underside of the crossbar to equalise. As the half went on, Tonbridge began to have more possession and looked the most likely to score. James Allan coming the closest to putting Tonbridge ahead with an effort only denied by the post. 10 minutes from time, Tonbridge were awarded a penalty which Ollie Grant tucked into the bottom left corner. After Cheadle Hulme were reduced to 10-men following a reckless challenge, Tonbridge made the extra man count, maintaining possession until Byron Doughty tapped in a cross from Alex Belliere to secure the victory. As the final whistle blew and brought to an end a season of unprecedented success, the boys celebrated their victory with each other and those who had made the journey to support. Victories in National Competitions do not come around that often and it is important to savour the moment – one which will no doubt be recalled at many OT reunions in the future! On behalf of the squad, I would like to thank Danny Stunt and the team of ground staff for all of the work they put in behind the scenes. I would also like to thank Mr Cleary, for his huge support throughout the season. His attention to detail and key pieces of advice at the right

FOOTBALL time are one of the things that has given the boys the edge over this season. Finally, Mr Cleary and I would like to thank all the boys in the squad who played a part in making this season so special. In particular, to Charlie Thompson, Alex Belliere and Inigo Pullen who gave the side the focus and leadership it needed to achieve such a feat. For his outstanding performances Charlie was awarded 1st XI Player of the Season and Jimi Adesanya was awarded the Canazza Cup for Young Footballer of the Year. Football is a beautiful game…it needs to be played beautifully! This special group of players did just that. They were confident in their ability, they trusted their teammates, they were resilient in the tough moments,

they played the same way no matter what the score; and now have a place forever in the history of Tonbridge Football! A J Sixsmith Squad C. Thompson (HS) (captain), A. Belliere (CH) (vicecaptain), J. Adesanya (PH), J. Allan (WH), M. Denny (WH), B. Doughty (WW), M. Ejje (CH), O. Grant (PS), P. Hughes (HS), Z. Johnson (CH), W. Malet de Carteret (JH), K. Mamkhegov (PH), I. Pullen (PH), A. SmithStephens (OH) Also played: T. Creasey (HS), T. Instance (PS), C. Lockhart (HS), O. McIlwham (PS), E. Middleton (PS), Z. Moore (WW), J. O’Connell (PS), J. OgunkoyaHowland (SH), D. Oteng-Ntim (Sc), B. Pearl (Sc), A. Stonor (JH)

Second XI Football

he traditional format for a sports report in The Tonbridgian is to go through the season match-bymatch giving a brief description of what happened in the match and the result. In the case of the 2nd XI this season, this would sadly make for a very dull report without much variety; there are only so many ways to describe a 100% record of nine wins from nine matches. This year, therefore, that part of the report will be very brief: matches against Sevenoaks, St Paul’s, Harrow, Dulwich, Radley, Haileybury, Berkhamsted, Abingdon and Epsom came and went, with one clear common thread,

namely that the various opposition were all outclassed by a very talented Tonbridge 2nd XI and, in general, conceded several goals. Instead, this report will now be based around the players’ own votes across various end of season awards. The Goal of the Season? It’s fair to say this category was dominated by Ben Pearl (Sc), with two of his goals accounting for almost all of the votes. In second place came his goal against Dulwich: the first goal we scored in the game, only just before half time, which opened

SPORT the floodgates (open floodgates being a particularly apt metaphor for the Dulwich defence) for five more. Receiving the ball inside his own half with little support, he drove forward, beat his man before releasing a weak-foot curler into the far corner of the goal. Few who witnessed that goal could have predicted that it would only obtain the silver medal in this category. Anyone who found themselves at Berkhamsted later in the season, however, would very much have understood why it has. This time, with the score at 0-0, Pearl found himself with his back to goal 25 yards out, awaiting a James Wildblood (PH) flick-on from a throw-in, visions of his open-goal miss from 5 yards out two minutes before still fresh in the memory. The flick-on duly came, and Pearl swivelled and volleyed the ball as it came over his shoulder into the far top corner in a finish reminiscent of Peter Crouch’s volley against Manchester City in 2012. A worthy winner, although perhaps not a modest one, with Pearl’s own vote for Goal of the Month reading ‘Any of Pearl’s screamers #goat’. Thankfully, I suspect he would also have dominated a ‘Miss of the Season’ category had there been one.

Second XI Football Results Played: 9 Goals For: 36

Won: 9

Drawn: 0

Lost: 0

Goals Against: 8

v Sevenoaks Won (Pearl x3, Lockhart, Wildblood, Harvey)

6–2

v St Paul’s Won (Pearl x2, Creasey x2, Harvey, Oteng-Ntim)

6–2

v Harrow (Creasey)

1–0

Won

v Dulwich Won 6–0 (Pearl x2, Wildblood x2, Lockhart, Oteng-Ntim)

v Radley Won (Wildblood x3, Instance x2, Middleton)

6–2

v Haileybury (Stonor, Oteng-Ntim)

Won

2–0

v Berkhamsted (Pearl x2, Oteng-Ntim)

Won

3–1

v Abingdon (Stonor x2, Hayward)

Won

3–0

v Epsom (Pearl x2, Harvey)

Won

3–1

Match of the Season? This was another award with a clear top two. Although other matches were mentioned, second place by quite some margin fell to the 3-0 win against Abingdon, which secured the league title. On a lovely 4G pitch, this was certainly the best football we played all season. A clinical performance of very high quality, but sadly these matches rarely take the top spot in such awards; high quality is no match for sheer emotion. This was certainly provided by the 1-0 victory against Harrow towards the start of the season, the eventual winner in this category. Having spurned several good chances in a goalless first half, leading their coach to comment that we should be 3-0 up, we found ourselves up against it in the second half against a very good team. Having told the boys at half time that we would kick ourselves if we didn’t go on to win the game after the chances we’d had, they certainly left it late to avoid this. In the dying moments of the match, we were awarded a free kick in a good position, especially with the quality of delivery that Ben Harvey (WH) had provided from free kicks and corners all season. The ball was swung in to the back post, and it is no surprise given the desire to win that it was two Tonbridge boys contesting the header; skipper Tom Instance (PS), with a view for his own safety, wisely got out of the way to allow a rampaging Tom Creasey (HS) to power the ball into the net. Jubilant celebrations ensued and the final whistle blew shortly after, and it is no surprise to hear that the Creasey header was responsible for the winning award in two categories: Match of the Season and Champagne Moment. The Most Improved Player? Only three players received votes for this award, with all three coming from the Lower Sixth, which bodes well for Tonbridge football next year. Oscar McIlwham (PS) and Cosmo Hayward (MH) received four votes each, and deservedly so. McIlwham’s work-rate made life very difficult for any opposition midfielder in every game, but as the season went on he added more and more composure and vision to his attacking play too. Hayward was a very versatile addition to the team, playing in several positions, with his dribbling a nightmare for opposition defenders; a fantastic goal after beating four opposition defenders against Abingdon particularly stands out. The clear winner, however, with six votes was Ed Lee (SH). Ed’s defensive capabilities were clear from the outset, but nobody could have predicted what a composed, ballplaying centre-back he would become. His distribution against Abingdon, including various pin-point volleys between defenders to our wingers, will live long in the memory. Player of the Season? It is testament to the quality of this team that the first seven votes that came through were for different people; it really was a team effort

FOOTBALL throughout the season. In the end, third place went to our goalkeeper. Those who saw only the first or last league games of the season may be surprised by this; we started our campaign with a speculative 40-yard effort from the St Paul’s striker somehow finding its way into the net. For any further details about the event, please see Oli Bamford (JH). Similarly, we ended the season with another speculative effort from an Epsom player finding the net while Bamford was busy putting a cap on behind the goal. In between, however, were some fantastic saves along with some great distribution throughout the season. Second place went to Pearl. Those who have made it this far in this report will already know some of the reasons why, and the statistics do speak for themselves: he finished the season as our top scorer with eleven goals. In the end, the top spot went to our captain, Tom Instance, who led the team fantastically throughout the season. He was a rock in defence, a formidable force when he occasionally forgot his position and powered his way up the pitch, daring any defender to get in his way, and a great leader, especially when having to deal with several Lower Sixth who generally didn’t see the point in warming up or indeed training at all. A thoroughly deserving winner.

Winning the league is always a great achievement; dominating the league in the way this team did even more so (14 points to second place’s 8, and a goal difference of +20 to second place’s +1). They were a pleasure to coach: making life very easy from a coaching perspective by simply being very good at football, and bringing good (although occasionally slightly questionable) humour to training sessions and matches. Thanks also to a very committed group of parents supporting us home and away; I hope the quality of the boys’ football made for good viewing! B C S Barber

Squad: T. Instance (Captain) (PS), B. Harvey (WH), C. Lockhart (HS), E. Middleton (PS), T. Onyia (FH), A. Stonor (JH), O. Bamford (JH), T. Creasey (HS), C. Hayward (MH), E. Lee (SH), O. McIlwham (PS), J. O’Connell (PS), D. Oteng-Ntim (Sc), B. Pearl (Sc), J. Wildblood (PH) Also Played: P. Hughes (HS), J.Allan (WH), F. Jobber (SH), H. Clarke (OH), P. Staunton (OH), G. Jobber (SH)

Third XI Football

s the current holders of the ISFA Lent Term League, the 3rd XI entered the 2023 season full of confidence, having retained a few players, whilst also saying goodbye to some that were recruited by the 2nd and 1st XI. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be a consecutive title win for ourselves and Mr Day, but we got close, finishing third place and only two points off winners Berkhamsted.

The season commenced away against Brighton’s 2nd XI, a real tester for a team that haven’t yet played together, however, a 2-1 win would show a glimpse of what was to come for the team, with dominance in the centre from Freddie Jobber (SH) and George Jobber (SH) being a prominent aspect of our success to come. After a horrible week of training in the wet and cold, we were very fortunate to play a strong St Paul’s side at home, whilst most other games got cancelled due to the truly British weather. A top performance utilising the pace of Tobe Onyia (FH) and Cosmo Hayward (MH) meant that we came away with a 2-0 win, giving us all the confidence to go retain the title. Harrow were the next opposition to visit, and we knew that it was going to be one hell of a test. Coming at us with pace and strength, the lads matched this throughout the game. Despite some miraculous recoveries from the likes of Sam Kenny (MH) in goal, we were to go 1-0 down at halftime. Realising we didn’t fancy losing points to this Harrow side, a thrilling comeback with long-range, top corner wonder-goals from Tobe and Harry Clarke (OH) meant we came away with a 2-1 win to the despair of

SPORT the Harrow boys – by far the most exciting game of the season. We were surprised by a quick and agile Dulwich team, but after Jean Van der Spuy (FH) scored his first of the season after countless attempts to the relief of Mr Day, who was watching over facetime whilst away in the Alps with the school ski team, a 3-1 win was a fair result. After a friendly match against Radley somehow ending 1-1 despite complete domination from the team, Haileybury were next to visit and a standout performance from Archie Heslop (MH) up front and a rare Alex Peggie (HS) goal resulted in a comfortable 4-0 win. Four from four league wins made us favourites for the league, however, our first away game of the season to Berkhamsted changed the tides. Having got used to the flat pitches of Knotts, the hills of Hertfordshire didn’t play to our advantage, and we came away with a gutting 1-0 defeat having lost our heads in the second half and not playing the fluid football we’ve always played. Another trek to Oxfordshire the week after was where we would play a strong Abingdon side, and with a scarcity of players due to the 1s and 2s prioritising their requirements meant that we would be down to ten men for a short period of time after an injury to the ever-crucial Patrick Staunton (OH). The men in pink capitalised on this and with tempers flailing at factors we couldn’t control, we weren’t able to overturn the score and we suffered a second defeat, 2-0 this time. Unfortunately, the title was now out of reach, however, it never left our hands without a fight, and credit must go to the team with attitudes and determination never falling. This was shown the following week when we beat Sevenoaks 2nd XI 3-1, and then in our final game against Epsom in the league, where some impressive football was played in rugby-like conditions, both weather and opponent, and we emerged victorious 1-0. Although we couldn’t win another title this season, it was an incredibly enjoyable one, and thanks must go to Mr Jervis and Dr Dixon for their enthusiasm and Third XI Football Results Played: 10

Won: 7

v Brighton College v St Pauls v Harrow v Dulwich v Radley v Haileybury v Berkhamsted v Abingdon v Sevenoaks Second XI v Epsom

Drawn: 1

Lost: 2

Won Won Won Won Draw Won Lost Lost Won Won

2–1 2–1 2–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 0–1 0–2 3–1 1–0

amusement during training, and of course, to Mr Day. A definite highlight was him facetiming us after the win over Dulwich, full of joy with a pint in hand after asking Mr Huxley for updates after every minute of the game, and despite having Covid, he trekked up to Abingdon to coach on the side-line. To then be confronted by the referee for being too loud, he really showed the passion he had for the team and the game: thank you, sir. It’s personally been a brilliant two seasons in the 3rd XI, and I hope next year’s boys can bring back the silverware. Alex Peggie (HS) R L Day Squad A. Peggie (Captain) (HS), S. Kenny (MH), A Hewitt (HS), T. Onyia (FH), R. Adams (Sc), H. Clarke (OH), O. Hastie (CH), G. Jobber (SH), G. Thomas (CH), J. Van der Spuy (FH), E. Lee (SH), C. Hayward (MH), P. Staunton (OH), A. Heslop (MH), C. Howard-Sneyd (FH), D. Fagbemi (FH), H. O’Leary (PS) Also played: M. Barry (JH), F Jobber (SH), G. Wilson (SH), R. Walsh (CH), A. Wareing (HS), A. Stonor (JH)

Fourth XI Football

arry had done everything right to obey the new RFU tackle laws that dictated that a player must tackle below the sternum. Harrow’s forward had burst through the line and it was up to Harry to stop him. He caught him low around the waist; shoulder contact was good; weight on the balls of his feet. Forcing his opponent to the ground, Harry adopted the perfect “jackal” position. The referee blew for a penalty. The problem was that Harry was not playing rugby, Harry was playing football. Harry French (PH5) was promptly, and unfortunately correctly, red-carded for this challenge. However, while misplaced on this occasion, this incident epitomises his style of leadership: all-ornothing; Keanesque. The 4th XI, or ‘Dixon’s Diamonds’ as they are called by some, may lack the polish, the finesse, the adroitness or the ability to kick the ball with both feet that you might find on the Stadio, but what they do have is a fine disregard for the conventions of play – creatives, freethinkers, those with a certain je ne sais quoi; mercurial, the 4ths could often go from awful to awe-inspiring in the same half. The first match against Brighton was disappointing. Apart from Dan Domanski’s (OH) beautiful free-kick, Tonbridge barely fired a shot. However, despite Monsieur French’s indiscretions, the following week’s fightback against Harrow was truly magnificent and epitomised the team’s never say die attitude. In particular, the Harrow game witnessed the late call-up of Caspian Howard-Sneyd (FH) who was a revelation at

FOOTBALL fullback throughout the season. His calmness under pressure and Beckham-like ability to play a longball through to the forwards was crucial for the team’s success throughout the better part of the season. It was inevitable that Mr Day would pinch him for the 3rds eventually; he was one of the stars of the season. The next match against Dulwich saw a return to vintage Diamonds with a comprehensive 7-1 win. George Thomas (CH) and Ollie Hastie (CH) playing down from the 3rds added a competitive edge to the team that elevated the standard for the rest of the season. Indeed, the midfield combination of George, Ollie, Dara Fagbemi (FH) and Matthew Barry (JH) was sublime and simply outclassed their Dulwich counterparts. This match also produced the unlikely, but welcome, event of Ollie Deen (Sc) stepping out of the gym and in between the posts following a shortage in Tonbridge keepers that week. Unfortunately, I was ill for the Radley match but thankfully Mr Katz was at hand to take the fixture. Having not witnessed the match, I will recount it via my text exchange with Mr Katz:

Following on from that epic battle, the Diamonds next faced Judd in the El Classico. Many from this Judd side had played in the previous season’s match that saw them ruin the Diamond’s unbeaten record, adding a distinct flavour of revenge to the match. After an incredibly physical encounter, with several members of the Sevenoaks U18s rugby team playing in opposing sides, the 4ths emerged victorious. Archie Wareing (HS) was outstanding, putting in a man-of-the-match performance. His pace down the wing and delivery was top drawer and proved the difference between the two sides. With several injuries, the match against Berkhamsted school was an opportunity to bleed some youth in the form of several lower sixth players. Bobby Jiang (MH) and Alexander Schreurs (FH) were particularly outstanding, having discovered form and confidence following injury. The first goal was magnificent, with every member of the team touching the ball. Unfortunately, Radleyitis developed a new variant in the form of Abingdonitis, with several boys disappearing on the Friday before the trip up to deepest, darkest Oxfordshire. The pitch having been used for grazing livestock did not help either. Nevertheless, the duo of Fagbemi and Schreurs were outstanding in attack. Dara’s shot from around 30 metres out, embarrassing the goalkeeper (a former prep schoolmate), will be sung about for centuries in Ferox Hall. The star of the show, however, was Ollie Morgan (PH) who made three spectacular saves of which any Premier League keeper would have been proud. Indeed, I was rather embarrassed as the opposition coach thought I had played the First XI keeper! The final match against Epsom was a true epic. It had everything: big challenges; deft skill; controversial refereeing; spectacular goals; even Olly Deen (Sc) at left-back. Like two elephant seals on a hyperborean beech, Deen and the Epsom ‘big lad’ smashed into each

SPORT other on several occasions with such ferocity that I am surprised that Sir David Attenborough did not appear to narrate the first half. Some skill was shown, however, across the pitch. Archie and Bobby were outstanding, but the “old-stager” Sam Kemp (WW) stole the show with his winning goal in injury time. As always, it was an honour to coach the side this year; I only wished the season was a bit longer. The quality of young players such as Connor Nolan (CH) and Charlie Palmer (HS) shows that the team and the club are in an excellent place for next year. However, it is with sadness that I say a fond farewell to Harry French, Dan Domanski, Ollie Deen; Archie Wareing, George Wilson (SH), Ben McClinton (OH) and Sam Kemp. These lads were such a crucial part of the last two seasons. Their enthusiasm and joie de vivre epitomised everything that made that makes the Diamonds such a fun and special team. I wish to thank them and their parents for being the heart of the football club! Diamonds are forever!

J M T Dixon

Fourth XI Football Results Played: 8

Won: 6

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

v Brighton Lost v St Paul’s Cancelled v Harrow Draw v Dulwich Won v Radley Won v Judd U18C Won v Berkhamsted Won v Abingdon Won V Epsom College Won

1–3 2–2 7–1 2–1 4–3 3–1 2–0 5–4

Squad H. French (PH) (Capt.), S. Kemp (WW), D. Domanski (OH), M. Barry (JH), O. Deen (Sc), D. Fagbemi (FH), D. Fulton (WH), O. Hastie (CH), C. Howard-Sneyd (FH), S. Iqbal (WH), B. Jiang (MH), T. Laurencin (Sc), B. McClinton (OH), O. Morgan (PH), C. Nolan (CH), H. O’Leary (PS), C. Palmer (HS), Z. Schaeffer (SH), A. Schreurs (FH), G. Thomas (CH), A. Wareing (HS), G. Wilson (SH)

Fifth XI Football

he 5th XI remains in good health even if the unbeaten season eluded the boys this time out. It is testament to the quality of footballer in the heart of the club these days that only half the fixtures were with other 5th XI teams, against whom we remain unbeaten since January 2019.

should have been winning comfortably by half time. As it was, we had conceded an equalizer following an opening penalty from Charlie Palmer (HS), won, not for the last time in the season, by the elusive dribbling of Tim Laurencin (Sc) in the opposition box. We held our nerve and pulled ahead to win comfortably by the end.

The opening game of the season was against the toughest opponents of the previous year: Sevenoaks 3rd XI away. However, they were despatched with ease. Despite blustery conditions, we quickly dominated and

Following the cancellation of the fixture against St Paul’s, the next match was Harrow away. Again, we were better than the scoreline of 3-1 suggested. The character and metal of the group was seen in recovering from a very early goal conceded to Dulwich in the next game. Dominic Fulton (WH) and Zac Schaeffer (SH) were impressive at the heart of the defence. The 5-0 victory over Radley was probably the best performance of the season. Defensive errors – the prime source of opposition goals hitherto– were eliminated, while the link-up between Oshi Hamilton (OH) and Thomas Higgins (OH) on opposite wings was deadly, fed by the strong midfield work of Tim Laurencin, Dexter Little (WH) and Sonny Louca (SH). After the Half Term, we lost our mojo somewhat. The chances were still being created but the ball refused to nestle in the back of the net. Haileybury’s 4th XI should have been beaten comfortably yet the

FOOTBALL game was also very nearly lost. We were under pressure from Eastbourne U16A’s skilful play and it was thanks to some excellent saves from William Evans (PS) that we stopped them getting a foothold in the game. Defeat came against Cranleigh’s 4th XI. Mistakes returned and chances were missed and we were down 0-1 at half time. We were outmuscled in midfield and missed Dom Fulton and Charlie Tuffield (SH). The team was slightly weakened by the reluctance of boys further up the club to travel away to Abingdon but the recruits from lower down stepped up impressively, notably Tom Bleakley (WH), Joao Horta-Machado (PS) and Toby Bright (FH). The second half performance was much improved. Oshi Hamilton - nicknamed Haaland by the opposition – scored twice and we were pressing hard for the equaliser right to the end… but it did not come. The final game against Epsom had a celebratory feel. Freddie Evans (PS), Noah Durling (SH) and Oshi Hamilton were all on the score-sheet and this was a fitting end to two excellent years with the 5th XI. Will Harris (FH) did not join them, but that does not detract from his excellence at right-back over successive seasons for the 5th XI. The quiet authority of regular L6 players such as Freddie Rosin (WH) and Max Tye (WH) across the term, alongside others already mentioned, mean that the future for the 5th XI is bright. C D Thompson

Fifth XI Football Results Played: 8

Won: 6

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

v Sevenoaks 3rd XI (A) Won (Palmer (2), Laurencin, Howard-Sneyd)

4–1

v Harrow (A) (Little, Tye)

Won

3–1

v Dulwich (H) (Tuffield, Tye, Hamilton, Evans)

Won

4–2

v Radley College (H) (Higgins, Hamilton (3), Little)

Won

5–0

v Haileybury 4th XI (H) (Laurencin)

Draw

1–1

v Eastbourne College U16A (A) (Tye, Hamilton)

Won

3–0

v Cranleigh 4th XI (A) (Hamilton (2)

Lost

2–3

v Epsom College (A) Won (Horrell, Hamilton (2), Evans, Durling, Little)

7–2

Squad N. Durling (Captain) (SH), T. Bleakley (WH), T. Bright (FH), J. Clark (WH), F. Evans (PS), W. Evans (PS), D. Fulton (WH), W. Harris (FH), O. Hamilton (OH), T. Higgins (OH), H. Hilleard-Rees (CH), W. Horrell (OH), J. Horta-Machado (PS), C. HowardSneyd (FH), S. Iqbal (WH), B. Jiang (MH), T. Laurencin (MVP) (Sc), D. Little (WH), S. Louca (SH), A. Morcombe (JH), O. Onokpasa (FH), C. Palmer (HS), F. Rosin (WH), Z. Schaeffer (SH), O. Scott (CH), C. Tuffield (SH), M. Tye (WH), R. Walsh (CH), F. Wright (PH)

Sixth XI Football

n incredible season for the 6th XI was evident from the start. Comparing the team to my limited single appearance for the 6th XI many years ago, it was obvious that the quality had quite drastically improved since then. Thomas Higgins (OH) played the role of the pressing forward to perfection early on in the season, scoring 9 goals in his first two games, including 7 against Brighton in a 10-2 demolition. It’s unusual for someone on a hat-trick to be so outscored by someone of their own team, but that unfortunately happened to Max Tye (WH) who was robbed of the match ball. Needless to say, the vultures above quickly acted and we lost both to the 5th XI. However, our hunger remained. Jack Hall (PS) was immense at the back against Harrow, making some

incredible cross-pitch recovery runs to get several lastditch efforts in. Joe Clark (WH) converted from centreback to goalkeeper, and after 5 minutes of training before the Harrow match, proceeded to demonstrate a masterclass in reflexes. Never has the 6th XI had a goalkeeper kick the ball past the halfway line, let alone one as good as Joe, and it was a testament to his character to dig in and play the role of unsung hero. Harry Leach (OH) and Callum Porritt (Sc) ran rings around the Harrow defence as we put seven past them, with Harry unlucky not to get a hat-trick after a lovely header brushed the side of the post. Hugo-BrummittEvans (WW) ran the show from midfield with his athleticism and dribbling ability. Ollie Scott (CH) started a run of 4 goals from left-back, including a brace against a plucky Dulwich side with a well drilled low volley

SPORT Arthur, two games later ‘Mr. Reliable’ Seth Goldhill-Watts (WH) had also proceeded to score an identical goal direct from the corner against Abingdon. With nothing to tell these goals apart, Xavier Nagberi (CH) proceeded to finish off a fine rotational movement, being fed through and then proceeding to lash a half-volley with his left foot into the side netting of the goal. A well-deserved goal of the season and team effort to put us at ease.

you’d quite frankly only expect on the Stadio. Eventually the conversion was made to striker in honour of Paul Sturrock and Kenwyne Jones. Without our two stalwarts at the back, Alex Morcombe (JH) and Teilo Williams (JH), the game against Dulwich, and the whole season, would have certainly been nervier. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to suggest that these two 6th XI veterans would have easily been 4th XI centre-backs back in my day; perhaps a testament to how far the football club has come in general. Our midfield and forward line outshone in every department, both physically, technically and creatively. Ovie Onokpasa (FH) scored a whirlwind of goals against Radley and Berkhamsted. Toby Bright (FH) formed a good partnership with him, in particular scoring a lovely goal after a deft first touch put the ball past the Radley goalkeeper from a long ball. Arthur Loveland (OH) led the side magnificently and scored a contender for goal of the season directly from a corner against Radley. Normally these are caused by a goalkeeping blunder, but it was simply just a luscious curling strike that the poor Radley keeper could do nothing about. Unfortunately for

Sixth XI Football Results Played: 8

Won: 7

v Brighton College 4th XI v Harrow School v Dulwich College v Radley College v Berkhamsted School 5th XI v Abingdon School 5th XI v Sevenoaks School 3rd XI v Epsom College

Drawn: 0

Lost: 1

Won Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won

10 – 2 7–1 2–0 6–1 6–1 4–1 0–2 4–1

Many members from the 7th XI should be congratulated for their efforts in taking a late call up for Abingdon away with aplomb. Monty Nicholls (JH) was well deserving of the nickname ‘Mason Mont’ operating superbly as a False 9. In anticipating an outbreak of Abingdonitis, scouts were sent out far and wide, with Chris Robertson (PH) earning a double promotion from the mighty heights of the 8th XI. He didn’t put a foot wrong all game at left back, and then proceeded to score a drilled finish after a mazy run against Epsom. An additional friendly was put on against Sevenoaks 3rd XI, who would be by some distance our most difficult fixture to date, having beaten teams who had beaten our 4th XI. A few call-ups from the 5th XI to boost our strength was unfortunately not enough. We went down 1-0 early, and despite a flurry of chances were 1-0 down at half time. A tactical change to a 4-2-4 to more easily press their back line and bypass their midfield who were clearly very good looked like it would pay off, as we completely outplayed them for 20 minutes. We forced several fantastic saves from their goalkeeper as a result, however, a vital goal and momentum shift eluded us, and with ten minutes to go, Sevenoaks saw us off on the counter to win 2-0. A valiant, unlucky performance that demonstrated just how far the 6th XI had progressed. We finished the season with aplomb, beating Epsom 4-1, the highlight being Jack Hall forgetting his boots, playing a game of slip and slide in trainers for 45 minutes before kindly being asked by the referee to leave the field as he was a danger to himself. Rhys Stevenson (WW) who had been a fine, aggressive utility player all season ran Epsom off the park before Nathan Kahl (OH), whose technical ability would warrant a sixth star for skill moves on FIFA, proceeded to score two well worked goals to cap of a successful season, once again proving that False 9’s really are the pinnacle for schoolboy football. A final massive thank you to all the parents that braved some truly horrendous conditions (and pitches) this season, your support was massively appreciated by the team. L Masters

FOOTBALL Squad J. Clark (WH), J. Hall (PS), R. Stevenson (WW), A. Morcombe (JH) (Vice Captain), T. Williams (JH), S. Goldhill-Watts (WH), A. Loveland (OH) (Captain), X. Nagberi (CH), H. Leach (OH), O. Onokpasa (FH), C. Porritt (Sc), T. Bright (FH), N. Kahl (OH), H. Brummitt-Evans (WW), O. Scott (CH) Also played: H. Hilleard-Rees (CH), M. Tye (WH), T. Higgins (OH), B. Fountain-Barber (WH), T. Bleakley (WH), T. Launder (Sc), R. Froggatt (WH), A. Yusifli (FH), I. Malovanyi (Sc), W. Evans (PS), M. Wilkinson (WW), J. Nix (SH), M. Nicholls (JH), L. Murton (JH), C. Robertson (PH), F. Rosin (WH), T. Laurencin (Sc),

Seventh XI Football

t was quite a challenging term for the 7th XI, as with several cancellations we eventually played only one match against an equivalent team. However, a mostly lower sixth team played very well and showed some excellent progression over the season.

Seventh XI Football Results Played: 6

Won: 2

v Sevenoaks 4th XI (Mussavian)

Drawn: 0 Lost

Lost: 4 2-1

v Radley Won 7-0 (Spedding 3, Horta Machado 2, Chalmers, Murton) v Haileybury (Walker, Horta Machado)

Lost

6-2

v Eastbourne 4th XI

Lost

1-0

v Cranleigh 5th XI (Walker 3, Lam, Stormont)

Won

5-2

v Sevenoaks 4th XI (Nicholls)

Lost

3-1

We started with a fixture against Sevenoaks 4th XI on a pitch which was very much an early season mud bath. We found it hard to keep our passing going but built in confidence over the game. We equalised through Max Mussavian (WW) and were denied two late equalisers after hitting the post twice, in a 2-1 defeat. Sam Collins (FH) and Max Avery (OH) impressed in a strong defensive performance.

The next week was a combined 7th, 8th XI and U16D match against Cranleigh, with a brilliant 5-2 win. Max Bandler (OH), Freddie Hill (CH) and Martin Xu (MH) all stepped up from the U16s and did a fine job. The match ball was taken by Alex Walker (SH) who having impressed in goal the week before, stepped outfield to score a fine hattrick.

Our next match was against Radley and this proved one of the most enjoyable days of the season. The sun shone and we were reinforced by new signings Tom Bleakley (WH) and Tom Launder (Sc). With good performances from Joao Horta-Machado (PS), Max Wilkinson (WW), Will Spedding (PS) and James Nix (SH) amongst others we ran out comfortable 7-0 winners.

We went into our final match against Sevenoaks knowing that a win would give us parity over the season but sadly it wasn’t to be. Despite a bright opening where we took the lead through an excellent Monty Nicholls (JH) penalty, Sevenoaks’ greater strength eventually told as we took a 3-1 defeat in a hard-fought game. Tom Bleakley and James Nix impressed with some excellent passing from the back.

The Haileybury 5th XI proved our next encounter and they were a tough challenge. We went 1-0 up early in the game after an excellent combination from Tom Bleakley and Alex Walker (SH), but eventually greater power told and we were rewarded with a late consolation from Horta Machado. The following match was against Eastbourne and in a tight fought encounter, we eventually went down 1-0. Playing on their famous “half pipe” pitches where chances are at a premium at either end, one scrambled goal proved the difference and we couldn’t force our way back into the game despite some good efforts.

SPORT Overall then this was a very enjoyable season for a very good group of players. Although it was a slight disappointment not to get quite as many wins as we might have hoped it is interesting to note we scored more goals than we conceded. I do hope all those lower sixth return for another go next year when with a little more confidence and strength some further wins will certainly be secured. S J Seldon

Squad M. Wilkinson (WW) (Capt.), M. Nicholls (JH), T. Launder (Sc), T. Bleakley (WH), M. Avery (OH), A. Walker (SH), J. Nix (SH), I. Malovanyi (Sc), C. Lam (JH), W. Spedding (PS), W. Evans (PS), S. Collins (FH), J. Nix (SH), J. Horta Machado (PS), L. Murton (JH)

Eighth XI Football

he 8th XI enjoyed a mixed season, winning two of its games and losing three. The season kicked off with a close and entertaining game against Radley. In the first half, neither team had an advantage until Radley scored just before halftime. Tonbridge came back strongly in the second half, scoring a great equalizer, before Radley squeezed a late winner past our goalkeeper David Hudson (CH). The next match, against Berkhamsted, followed a similar pattern. Having conceded three goals in the first half, we nearly forced a draw, helped by the spectacular goal from Finlay Horner (MH) from a free kick. We then played Cranleigh, who had quickly scored 2 goals within the first ten minutes, however, this did not phase us, and with a change in personnel and tactics, we were able to score five, courtesy of a hattrick from Alex Walker (SH) and goals from Jack Stormont (OH) and Chung Ho Lam (JH). The next match we played was one of the highlights of our season against Sevenoaks. Despite the poor condition of the pitch, we managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw at halftime. Unfortunately, we were not able to continue this momentum into the second half and ended up losing

Eighth XI Football Results Played: 5

Won: 2

v Radley U16C v Berkhamsted U16C v Cranleigh 5th XI v Sevenoaks 5th XI v Epsom U16D

Drawn: 0

Lost: 3

Lost Lost Won Lost Won

1–3 2–3 5–1 1–3 7–0

3-1. This took us to our final game of the season against Epsom College, with spirits high we were able to score seven past them, without conceding which brought a close to this mixed season. Ciaran Tansley (CH) Squad C. Tansley (CH) (Capt.), C. Lam (JH), Q. Li (JH), T. Overton-Edwards (HS), A. Popov (HS), A. Lander (PS), J. Bentley (MH), F. Horner (MH), F. Williams (MH), V. Kapur (MH), J. Cook (SH), D. Hudson (CH), J. Stormont (OH)

Ninth XI Football No Report Available

FOOTBALL

Under 16A Football

he boys got off to an excellent start to the season after a comfortable win against Brighton, followed by a huge victory against a St Paul’s side that the side had suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to the previous year. After a very back and forth game, the second successive 3-1 victory was secured with star performances coming from the defence and Zac Smith (WH) in goal. Despite this form, a tough game in icy conditions against a strong Harrow side, led to the first loss of the season. A last-minute defeat to Dulwich followed, with any good fortune enjoyed in the St Paul’s game well and truly repaid. Throughout these early games, a particular highlight was the goalscoring form of Jude Ogunkoya-Howland (SH), who netted with regularity. His form was underlined by his man-of-the match performance in a comfortable 2-0 away day at Radley where the opposition defenders never got to grips with the Tonbridge centre-forward who scored the first and won the penalty for the second. The second half of term started with two reverses; a midweek 3-1 defeat to a strong Judd side was followed by the 5th successive Saturday away trip to Haileybury where a controversial penalty decision sealed a close 2-1 defeat, despite a standout performance from Bertie Deen (Sc) at centre back, not missing a tackle all game, keeping us in the game throughout. The week after was a debut appearance on the Stadio, a mere nine weeks into the season, against Berkhamstead who had beaten us 6-0 the year before. Despite the history against the side, an outstanding team performance was put on display from the first to last minute, ending in an immense 2-1 victory. This performance distinctly displayed the improvements made throughout the season with the difference in levels of football between the first game of the season and then, being extensive. The penultimate game of the season, saw the boys take on Sevenoaks in the U16 B245 derby. With almost half the squad missing due to exams and first experiences of A team football for two, the game was always going to be a challenge. All the same, Tonbridge dominated the game and were unfortunate not to capitalise on the chances created, and so the game ended a 0-0 draw; an impressive result considering the circumstances handed to us. The final game of the season, the scene set to play a physical Epsom side on the Stadio, with a win needed to secure a top 5 league finish. A strong first half performance and some generous goalkeeping from the opposition meant a 2-0 half-time lead was secured. The team were well aware that the next goal would be important, despite this after a slow second half start we

found ourselves 2-1 up and on the back foot. However the team kept their discipline and this was rewarded around 15 minutes to go, when the ball dropped on the edge of the box to Freddie Mulder (JH) who rocketed a half volley into the bottom corner. Shortly after, another quick goal guided us to a 4-2 victory to end the season on a high. Zac Moore (WW) D P Robinson

Squad Z. Moore (Captain) (WW), B. Deen (Sc), H. Hargeaves (SH), G. Holder (Sc), J. Lai (JH), N. Lane (FH), J. Mannion (JH), F. Mulder (JH), J. Ogunkoya-Howland (SH), T. Peters (MH), F. Skarbek (MH), Z. Smith (WH), F. Warren (OH) Also played: N. Agble (OH), A. Cliff (MH), N. Draper (FH), E. Horn (PH), E. Lam (PS), A. Lane (HS)

Under 16A Football Results Played: 11

Won: 5

Goals For: 17

Goals Against: 18

v Brighton College v St Paul’s School v Harrow School v Dulwich College v Radley College v The Judd School v Haileybury v Berkhamsted School v Abingdon School v Sevenoaks School v Epsom College

Drawn: 1

Won Won Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Won Lost Draw Won

Lost: 5

3–1 3–1 0–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 1–2 2–1 0–3 0–0 4–2

SPORT

Under 16B Football

n the whole the boys can reflect on what was a solid and at times impressive season. In the first couple of games with a full strength eleven it looked like we could beat most teams in the league and in friendlies. However, on hard pitches (some of them rugby!) and in some physical encounters injuries began to take their toll both in the B’s and in the team above. On a very sticky Harrow pitch Ethan Lam (PS) was outstanding out wide and Gavin Siebert’s (Sc) high press was difficult to defend but both would succumb to broken shoulders during the next couple of weeks and not play football for the rest of the season. Rohan Brown (SH) showed good leadership skills throughout the term but was particularly strong at the centre of midfield in this fixture and scored a superb long-range effort. The game against Dulwich was transferred at the last minute onto their enormous new Astro pitch which the squad found as difficult to play on as a full-sized Wembley and with 15 minutes to go were seriously hanging on and if it were not for the stunning string of saves by goalkeeper Austin Lane (HS) we would certainly have succumbed to defeat (an amazing away point!). An away game on another Astro pitch which was rearranged against the league leaders would have been tough enough with a full-strength side, however with six first choice players absent it was going to be even tougher. The St Paul’s Futsal masterclass followed and the B/C’s did well to limit the damage to five in a very one-sided encounter. The second half of the term saw the arrival of a very confident Downsend U16A team who were telling us to go and get our A’s as they were serious footballers. After one minute when their captain dribbled round the team and scored in the top corner in a Maradona-esque style goal, even the most positive were thinking it would be a mismatch. However, this game began to see where the most improvement in team development emerged in

the season. Physicality at challenges, more robust in the air and a sprinkling of the dark arts got Tonbridge back into the game and as the opposition got frustrated, injured and lost their discipline, good passing football and honest finishing resulted with a superb 3-2 win. Noah Agble (OH) was beginning to emerge as a talented finisher and was top scorer for the season. Alex Cliff (MH) also began to show the passion required to win many 50/50 midfield challenges and impressed enough to be called up for the A’s on one occasion. A feisty local derby with Judd served up a thrilling 2-2 draw and then followed the worst league performance away at Haileybury which probably cost the team a chance of finishing runners up in the league. Jake Mandich (HS) scored an excellent consolation goal but the team were out hustled and fought in midfield and learnt some of the lessons they would need to step up to senior football against a very physical team. An excellent team performance at home against Berkhamsted was followed by a disappointing one all draw at home to Abingdon where the Tonbridge XP goals tally was at least 4.25 – 0.25 but the opposition led going into the final five, only for Brown’s head to finally connect with an excellent Edgar Horn (PH) delivery from a corner to even the game up. Without a first-choice goalkeeper at home to Sevenoaks U16A, the team was always going to be struggling and they took their two chances well as Tonbridge struggled once again to get shots on target. The final game was a pleasing 1-0 win against an agricultural and undisciplined Epsom side and resulted in the team finishing 4th on goal difference in the league. I would like to thank the ever present players George Lang (OH), Lane, Brown, Daniel Levett (CH), Agble, Cliff

Under 16B Football Results Played: 11

Won: 5

v Brighton v Harrow v Dulwich v St Paul’s v Downsend U16A v Judd v Haileybury v Berkhamsted v Abingdon v Sevenoaks U16A v Epsom College

Drawn: 3

Lost: 3

Won Won Draw Lost Won Draw Lost Won Draw Lost Won

4–0 3–1 0–0 0–5 3–2 2–2 1–4 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–0

FOOTBALL for their hard work both on the pitch and in training and hope the whole squad has begun to realise how they need to step up in terms of the physical hustle they will need to employ in senior football next year and I look forward to seeing as many of them as possible on S1 next year. G C Fisher

Squad R. Brown (SH), A. Cliff (MH), G. Siebert (Sc), J. Lai (JH), E. Horn (PH), J. Mandich (HS), Max Robinson Long (WH), C. Little (WH), H. Taylor (SH), D. Levett (CH), N. Agble (OH), G. Lang (OH), E. Lam (PS), A. Lane (HS) Also played: N. Draper (FH), M. Bentley (MH), O. McDonald (SH), F. Warren (OH)

Under 16C Football

he U16C team started the football season with a home fixture against Brighton College. Despite it being a blustery day, the boys, led by Corey Little (WH), got off to a good start, dominating the opening minutes of play. The first two goals, scored by Jamie Bhatnagar (WH), put the team into a good position at half-time. However, Brighton fought back hard during the second half, scoring goals at regular intervals. With approximately ten minutes left on the clock, Tonbridge were two goals behind. The boys managed to get a goal back but it was not enough, meaning that the goal-fest finished in Brighton’s favour. The following fixture saw the boys travel to Harrow to face a very physical opposition. The game was a challenge from the get-go as the Harrow players were both skilful and fast, which allowed them to make several good runs and have regular shots on goal

(including one exceptional long-range goal during the first half). Though we managed to score twice, we were outplayed for most of the match and were defeated 6-2. The next game was also an away fixture, this time to Dulwich College. Dulwich produced some even bigger and more skilful players – their centre backs were what one could only describe as ‘units’ – and so the team knew it would be a tough fixture. We did not, however, expect the onslaught that came our way. It’s fair to say that the result was tough to take. Our penultimate away fixture took the team to Radley. A few injuries across the U16 squads saw Alexander Rayment (WW) and Max Bandler (OH) enter the team for the first time. Though all of the boys tried their best, the challenge of playing a B team was too much. A special mention goes out to Heston Symonds (OH) for (largely) making well-judged tackles throughout the match. The next fixture, against The Judd School, proved to be an annoying one as we were unable to get shots away. I believe, however, that this loss was something of a turning point for the team, made most evident by our next performance against Haileybury. Our opposition in this fixture were, by far, the most physical we came across. In spite of this, the team stood up to the task and showed no fear in competing with the Haileybury team. Highlights included Sacha Gibson’s (HS) penalty save, Corey and Samuel Ayankogbe’s (MH) excellent partnership in the midfield, and Jamie’s “disagreement” with the referee. The next fixture was played against Berkhamsted at home. The two sides were evenly matched, which resulted in a very competitive game. Henry Trickey (WH) scored our two goals; however, they were not enough to get us over the line as the Berkhamsted striker scored a good hattrick. We did, nevertheless, secure our first win of the season in our next fixture against Abingdon. The team, this time led by Bong-Ra Ndzi (OH), played some fearless football, with both Sam Williams (CH) and Jake Mandich (HS) scoring excellent goals. The following fixture saw us suffer a heavy defeat to Sevenoaks, largely because of players missing the game for a GCSE Art exam. Despite the end result against Sevenoaks, it was good to see some fresh faces in the team. The final game of the season was a positive result against Epsom. Max Bentley (MH) led the side well before he had to run over to the U16B fixture. Goals were scored at regular intervals – a particularly good one was scored by Terry Kachecha (OH) – and the defensive effort was excellent. Archie Ramskill (MH) put in some very good tackles in this fixture (as he did throughout the season).

SPORT All in all, despite not having the success we may have wanted, the season was an enjoyable one. Thanks to the team for the enthusiasm and dedication shown throughout the season! R H Sheemar Squad Sacha Gibson (HS), Martin Xu (MH), Bong-Ra Ndzi (OH), Max Bentley (MH), Jamie Bhatnagar (WH), Corey Little (WH), Heston Symonds (OH), Henry Trickey (WH), Terry Kachecha (OH), Archie Ramskill (MH), Lucas Chu (MH), Charlie Percival (WH), Sam Williams (CH), Sam Ayankogbe (MH), Also Played: Lewie Macpherson (SH), Alexander Rayment (WW), Max Bandler (OH), Will Hunt (HS), Jake Mandich (HS), Hamish Taylor (SH), Alfie Rose (PS), Freddie Hill (CH), Marco Calcagnini (SH)

Under 16C Football Results Played: 10

Won: 2

v Brighton College v Harrow School v Dulwich College v Radley College B v The Judd School v Haileybury v Berkhamsted School v Abingdon School v Sevenoaks School v Epsom College

Drawn: 7

Lost: 1

Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Draw Lost Won Lost Won

3–4 2–6 0–11 0–4 0–2 0–0 2–3 3–0 0–6 3–1

Under 16D Football

his season was full of excitement. We didn’t play many matches as a U16D but the individual players were selected in other teams like the U16C or the 8th Senior. Against Harrow U16D: we had 4 injuries and needed to take 2 more players, thanks to Andrey Popov (HS) and Illia Malovanyi (Sc), we were able to play. The field was tough as it was on a hill, but we managed to keep the score 0:0 until the last 5 minutes of the end of the first half. They scored a beautiful goal, but Andrey kept it a draw at half time. The second half was easier as we were going downhill and we score 2 in rapid succession: Lewie Macpherson (SH) with a great lob and Andrey to seal the deal. They scored and were left with 8 minutes to spare. Lots of pressure and great saves from our goalie, Marco Calcagnini (SH), and we held on to a winning score of 3-2. Against Dulwich U16D: we were more depleted as 3 Lower VIth players were with us. The first half was excellent, with a goal by Chung Ho Lam (JH) in a kerfuffle and very good spirit. They scored one too but we felt confident. The second half, they had replacements and we didn’t so, they were much fresher and managed to outnumber us in many situations. We scored a goal but it was denied as an offside by the referee and we started to lose: we ended up losing 6-1. Against Haileybury U16D: back from half term, our squad was back to a good level. We had 10 players and they gave us 1 player to form an 11-a-side. This worked magnificently and we dominated the attacks. Our team has clearly got some good things right and our defence managed to clear the ball most of the time. 0-2 at half time for us, with goals from Sam Williams (CH) and William Hunt (HS). The second half, they came much

stronger and managed to score a goal rapidly. A lot of pressure on us but we held strong and finished 1-3 (last goal by Max Bandler (OH) on a great counter attack). B D M Katz Squad L. Chu (Capt) (MH), S. Williams (Vice-Capt) (CH), A. Rayment (WW), A. Rose (PS), F. Hill (CH), K. Rampersad (CH), L. Macpherson (SH), M. Calcagnini (SH), M. Bandler (OH), S. Gibson (HS) W. Hunt (HS), M. Xu (MH) Also played: A. Popov (HS), I. Malovanyi (Sc), J. Stormont (OH) and C. Lam (JH).

Under 16D Football Results Played: 3

Won: 2

v Harrow U16D v Dulwich U16D v Haileybury U16D

Drawn: 0

Lost: 1

Won Lost Won

2–3 1–6 1–3

FOOTBALL

Under 15A Football

hilst on first viewing this might look like a difficult season for the U15A’s it was evident that they were building the foundations to go on and learn. As so often happens at this level, we are the only school not to be playing any organised football in the Novi and it is evident. All other sides have a level of cohesion and understanding at the start of the season that we have to work to. And very much to the credit of the boys in the squad, work hard they did. It was evident watching the patterns of play in the final game of the season that they had developed both their technical and tactical understanding of the game a great deal and with a bit more luck with injuries and availability they could become a very good side indeed. As ever we started against Brighton College with precisely one and a half training sessions to work out a squad and formation. Having gone down early twice it was great to see the resolve and fight present from the outset and a 2-2 draw was well deserved. We then had a weekend off due to some inclement weather before facing a Harrow side who were in the national quarter finals of the independent schools and went on to win the league. We worked hard without looking overly threatening but did well to limit the chances created and 3-0 was a good showing. Then came the biggest disappointment of the season; we simply failed to show up for a midweek match against local rivals Judd who outplayed us in all areas. This was the only time in the entire season I had to have stern words about standards and expectations. A heavy defeat to Dulwich followed but they did go on to win the national cup competition so there is no shame to be had here. Another tough defeat followed to St Paul’s where most of the goals were selfinflicted but I was encouraged that the boys stuck to the principles and accepted they would make mistakes to

Under 15A Football Results Played: 11

Won: 2

Drawn: 2

Lost: 7

v Brighton College (Barnes, Walsh)

Draw

2–2

v Harrow School

Lost

0–3

v The Judd School

Lost

0–4

v Dulwich College (Barnes)

Lost

1–6

v St Paul’s School (Carmona-Selfin)

Lost

1–5

v Downsend School (Barnes, Walsh 2)

Won

3–2

v Haileybury

Lost

0–5

v Berkhamsted School (Barnes)

Lost

1–3

v Sevenoaks School (Carmona-Selfin, Barnes)

Draw

2–2

v Abingdon School Won (Carmona-Selfin 2, Cox, Ayodele)

4–1

v Epsom College (Barnes, Cox)

2–4

Lost

learn from them. The final game of the half-term was against Downsend School who were also national quarter finalists. We went 3-0 up in the first ten minutes having played some scintillating football but then had to cling on for the rest of the match as Downsend, littered with academy footballers, got into a good passing groove. Excellent skill and character was shown and an indicator of potentially what this side can achieve.. It was a shame to start the second half of the term with another tough fixture and the boys were disappointed with their performance. Much better came against Berkhamsted and for the rub of the green the result could easily have gone the other way as Tonbridge spurned some excellent chances. This was swiftly followed by an away

SPORT trip to Sevenoaks on a difficult pitch and Tonbridge came away extremely frustrated. Two individual errors allowed their excellent centre-forward to score two simple goals in a match that we otherwise completely dominated and should have won by a convincing margin. Certainly one to avenge next season. In the penultimate game of the season Tonbridge produced an outstanding display against Abingdon, having gone 1-0 down after a tough season it would have been easy to fold as Abingdon started superbly. We stuck in there and three quick goals just before half time, each of high quality built from the gameplan showed this side’s capabilities. One more in the second half secured a good win. Before the final game of the season I warned the boys about effort and concentration and to back up the excellent performance. Sadly we struggled against the high energy, if somewhat chaotic, Epsom press and conceded some very poor goals. Again, the two goals we scored were by

far the best goals in the game and built from excellent execution of the plan. In the end it was a fitting finish to the season - passages of excellent football but spells of poor concentration and individual errors. But that is the point of our U15’s season, the boys who have just gone on to win the 1st XI competition and national cup were in the exact same space when they were this age group. Without wishing to sound too Mikel… we trust the process. C W Eades Squad J. Ferry (SH), T. Wild (HS), S. Valentine (WW), M. Davidson (OH), M. Blincoe (OH), J. Henderson (CH), S. Blackburn (Sc), E. Klutse (Sc), X. Prongué (JH), R. Foulkes (SH), H. Jancic (HS), D. Carmona Selfin (PS), T. Barnes (MH), S. Cox (PH), W. Beazleigh (OH), J. Ayodele (CH), F. Walsh (WW)

Under 15B Football

t is the blessing and curse of any B Team that it is largely an extended reserve bench for the As. There is no shame in that, of course. But the U15B Boars this Lent Term certainly had the team turnover to show for it, and the attendant unsteadiness that resulted in very mixed performances. A quick look at the lists of players fielded illustrates the point: almost the entire A team played on the B squad at least once, and evidently so did most 2nd Years in Oakeshott House. The season began with a series of losses, as the core team slowly coalesced. The first game of the season at home against Brighton College saw self-disciplined play by the U15B Boars in the first half (0-0) but a complete collapse in the second (1-4). This was owed not a little to two conceded penalties by the then-temperamental back line Barnaby Grant (PS), Samuel Pearl (Sc), Billy Brooks (FH), and Archie Denny (WH), and by one unconverted penalty of our own by striker Zikora Udensi (MH). The Brighton game also initiated the mixed blessing of a magnificent late goal by Pearl, who henceforth made it his determined mission to abandon post at centre back for an unnecessary foray as centre forward in the last minutes of every single U15B Boars game. While this admittedly would lead to additional goals for Pearl, it also inevitably contributed to conceded goals after last-minute turnovers, which a back line missing a centre back could not prevent. At home against Harrow, the Boars were an even match for an aggressive opposition until the end of the first half (0-1). The Boars in fact dominated much of the second half, only giving up a chance at victory through two unconcentrated concessions at the very end (0-3). Of

note was the addition of key players who would shine during the remainder of the season: eventual captain Rufus Foulkes (SH) at right back replacing long-term injury Denny; the occasional A team stand-in Eto Klutse (Sc) in the defence and midfield; future team stalwarts William Jenkins (SH) and William Crosby (OH) in the midfield alongside the ever-diligent William Morrison (FH); and technical marvel Will Beazleigh (OH) on the right wing. Also now joining the team was Sam Valentine (WW) in goal, switching places with Tom Wild (HS) in the A team. The midfield – in particular Morrison, Crosby, and Jenkins – would often prove the backbone of the team for the remaining season, especially when connecting with Foulkes in the back and the wingers in the front. Despite a high score loss (1-4), the next U15B game against Judd finally did see the 4-3-3 ‘click’, leaving the score unrepresentative of the quality of play. The back line now saw Paolo Bertorelli (WH) next to Pearl, Foulkes, and Brooks, a line that would prove increasingly solid. Also joining the side was left-wing speedster Hamish Cowling (OH), who scored the Boars’ only goal and would play in that position for the rest of the term. The next game against Dulwich was significantly more rotten in the first half, with the Boars going down 0-2 by the break. The Boars proved unable to recover in the second half, despite much valorous clamour, increasingly physical play, breathless performances by Beazleigh and Cowling, and some frustrating near misses. The first away game, against St Paul’s, finally brought a well-deserved victory. Assigned to a short field in which any long pass up front was almost immediately inside

FOOTBALL

Under 15B Football Results Played: 11

Won: 3

v Brighton College v Harrow School v Judd School v Dulwich College v St Paul’s School v Haileybury School v Judd School U14 v Berkhamsted School v Sevenoaks School v Abingdon School v Epsom College

Drawn: 2

Lost: 6

Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Draw Draw Won Lost Won

1–4 0–3 1–4 0–2 3–2 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–3 1–3 4–3

the keeper’s box for a quick gather-and-punt, the U15B Boars faced an opposition that had played futsal for the first few weeks of training, and it showed, leading to a 1-2 score at halftime. However, self-discipline, some position adjustments, great leadership from Foulkes and Bertorelli, and a more physical approach to play worked to the Boars’ advantage in the end. Making his first appearance was Oscar Sinclair (SH), who added technical ability to the midfield and right wing and would become a strong option to relieve the hardworking Jenkins, Crosby, Morrison, and the tireless Beazleigh whenever necessary. The game also marked the highpoint of Pearl’s scoring career: all three goals were his, including a final breakaway that was aided by a very generous reading of the off-side rule by a referee visibly and increasingly peeved with St Paul’s verbal contributions, both on the field and from the side lines. Nevertheless, a marvellous performance by the Boars. The away game against Haileybury was well-contested and balanced. The 0-2 score line at the half was not truly reflective of the performance, and lighting striker Max Clark’s (WH) sole contribution was well-earned by the entire team (1-2). This game was followed by a home draw (0-0) against the Judd School U14A, an exercise in which nearly the whole A Team spent some time on the field. The next game, home against Berkhamsted (1-1), marked a final team readjustment. With Foulkes reassigned to the A team, Xavier Prongué (JH) took over as captain variously in defence and in the midfield, and a roaring Udensi re-joined the U15B Boars at striker. Udensi’s goal capped a performance by the team that promised more in terms of skill and play than it delivered in terms of conversions. However, the Boars were now consistently confident, well-tempered, and clearly having fun on the pitch. The final three games solidified the growth each team member had demonstrated throughout the season. The

away game against Sevenoaks on an oddly slanted playing field saw a blazing fast and always committed Denny return at right back and ought to have ended in a rout for the Boars. Beazleigh played his game of the season, Pearl and Udensi each scored one, and Cowling two. Two late concessions made the 4-3 end result seem more flattering to Sevenoaks that the game appeared. The following 1-3 at home against Abingdon was an anomaly, owing largely to moments when the back line blinked thrice. The final home game against Epsom College felt the most “right”: a strong team effort resulted in a convincing victory. This time, Cowling, Udensi, Crosby, and Prongué each saw their shots through to the back of the net, while an otherwise strong Bertorelli significantly padded the Epsom College scoresheet by conceding two hand penalties (4-3). The Boars had finally come into their well-skilled, goodhumoured, resilient, and just ever-so-shambolic own. Overall, these Boars were a highly entertaining crew to watch. I expect to see a high number of them seriously compete for the U16As and the 1st XI in future years. J G Reinhardt Squad R. Foulkes (SH, capt.), W. Beazleigh (OH), P. Bertorelli (WH), B. Brooks (FH), H. Cowling (OH), W. Crosby (OH), A. Denny (WH), W. Jenkins (SH), W. Morrison (OH), S. Pearl (Sc), X. Prongué (JH), S. Valentine (WW), Z. Udensi (MH) Also played: J. Ayodele (CH), T. Barnes (MH), S. Blackburn (Sc), M. Blincoe (OH), D. Carmona Selfin (PS), M. Clark (WH), S. Cox (PH), M. Davidson (OH), J. Ferry (SH), B. Grant (PS), S. Heale (OH), J. Henderson (CH), H. Jancic (HS), E. Klutse (Sc), A. Newman (WW), A. Rawlings (WW), H. Shu (HS), O. Sinclair (SH), F. Walsh (WW), T. Wild (HS), A. Wong (Sc)

Under 15C Football

t was definitely a season of two halves for the 15Cs this year. From the outset, we set out our stall to play attractive passing football, reinforced by a disciplined defensive structure. The plan was to base this around Sam Brant (PS), one of those players who looks composed on the ball and ruthless in the tackle. Unfortunately, he broke his wrist on the way back from Sunday chapel on the first weekend and plans were in tatters. Early season fixtures saw us develop a good team spirit and growing cohesion in midfield, based around our player of the season, Hiroki Shu (HS). With quick feet and no sense of needing to beat a man before passing, he was the beating heart of the side. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite convert our intricate build up play into goals, losing in slightly frustrating

SPORT The last day of the season saw heavy rain in the morning to leave K5 unplayable, resulting in a move to the OT football pitch, widely regarded as the best surface in the school. It suited the 15Cs very well as we cut Epsom to pieces to finish our season on a real high and with plenty of bright footballing futures to look forward to. Goalkeeper Sam Heale (OH) was most improved player of the season – it is a very exposed position as an U15, with full-size goals and Sam bounced back from a couple of difficult games to be a real confidence boosting presence in the team. J A Fisher fashion to Brighton, Judd and Dulwich. A mismatch against Radley, where we were sacrificial lambs to their U15A team, was the watershed moment. We recruited new talent – Zikora Udensi (MH), Will Crosby (OH) and Alex Newman (WW) were dragged down from the B team and immediately added cutting edge up front. Soon others begged to join us – Archie Denny (WH), Max Clark (WH) and Barny Grant (PS) securing demotion to join the now rampant C team charge. Comfortable wins over Haileybury and Judd set us on our way, although the latter also robbed us of our talismanic centre back James Larkin (FH), who suffered a nasty broken ankle following an awkward landing nowhere near any other players. It turned out that our brightest moment would come against Berkhamsted, unbeaten for two years and a terrific side. We conceded after 3 minutes and I thought we were in trouble. However, we dug deep, battled hard and were rewarded with an excellent equaliser and a winner with 3 minutes to go. Redemption for those early season defeats.

Under 15C Football Results Played: 12

Won: 5

v Brighton College v Harrow School v The Judd School v Dulwich College v Radley College U15A v Downsend v Haileybury v The Judd School U14B v Berkhamsted School v Sevenoaks School v Abingdon School v Epsom College

Drawn: 2

Lost: 5

Lost Draw Lost Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Draw Won

1–2 2–2 0–1 0–5 0–9 4–1 3–0 4–2 2–1 0–1 2–2 2–0

Squad L. Hofmann (captain) (OH), D. Kieu (JH), O. Butcher (PS), H. Shu (HS, A. Wong (Sc), A. Downs (WH), A. Rawlings (WW), S. Heale (OH), A. Newman (WW), J. Larkin (FH), R. Iqbal (WH), O. Sinclair (SH), A. Denny (WH), D. Akande (FH), B. Grant (PS), Z. Udensi (MH) Also played: M. Eluwah (JH), R. Kaliuta (JH), W. Crosby (OH), J. Rodgers (WW), B. Warburton (WH), M. Clark (WH), H. Cowling (OH), S. Brant (PS)

Under 15D Football

he U15D team developed into a tight-knit group over the course of the season. They were ably captained by Harry Attenborough (PH), their marauding left-back. After his enforced absence due to injury, leadership duties switched to midfield general Zachary Hill (FH), whose all-action tackling displays and ‘silky’ skills earned him the Player of the Season award. The Welldon trio of Alex Downs (WH), Rafi Iqbal (WH) and Ben Warbuton (WH) brought great creativity to the team’s play, while the pace of Daniel Akande (FH)

RUGBY SEVENS

Under 16C Football Results Played: 9

Won: 3

v Brighton College v Harrow School v The Judd School v Dulwich College v Radley College U15B v Haileybury v Berkhamsted School v Abingdon School v Epsom College

Drawn: 7

Lost: 6

Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Won

3–0 1–8 0–2 0–5 1–3 2–1 2–7 0–3 1–0

and the tireless running of Teddy Hamilton (SH) meant the opposition could never relax. Jason Rodgers (WW) was a key player, scoring a number of goals and also harassing opponents for the duration of every game. Mikel Eluwah (JH) weighed in with a great run and strike against Brighton, but a late and highly accomplished switch to centre back suggested that his future could lie in the defence alongside Raymond Kaliuta (JH), Seva Pospelov (JH) and Ptolomy Worth (FH), who themselves were never short of competitive spirit. Takeru Yamaguchi (HS), Matty Shubrook (WW) and Jayden Young (PS) made tremendous progress over the term, developing into highly reliable members of the squad, and the latter was named the Most Improved Player. While a

number of highlights spring to mind, such as a lovely team goal against Harrow and a dominant 1-0 win over Epsom in the final game, the pinnacle was probably the hard-fought 2-1 away win at Haileybury: grit and determination were on display in spades. It has been a pleasure to coach this group this season, and I wish them all the best for their future careers in the football club. A A Reid Squad D. Akande (FH), H. Attenborough (PH), M. Eluwah (JH), A. Downs (WH), T. Hamilton (SH), Z. Hill (FH), R. Iqbal (WH), R. Kaliuta (JH), S. Pospelov (JH), J. Rodgers (WW), M. Shubrook (WW), B. Warburton (WH), P. Worth (FH), T. Yamaguchi (HS), J. Young (PS) Also played: A. Brooks (Sc), T. Burnett (WW), O. Butcher (PS), D. Kieu (JH), J. Larkin (FH)

RUGBY SEVENS Season Review 2023

n the Schools Rugby Sevens circuit, Tonbridge School are renowned for their tenacity and ability to ‘punch above their weight’, and this season was one to be remembered for just that. The U14s and 15s sevens teams both had respectable seasons, learning some valuable lessons along the way with the U14s giving a good account of themselves at Rosslyn Park National School 7s, being very unlucky not to qualify from their Day 1 group. The U16s got their season off to a great start in later February, winning the Gordon’s School 7s Cup, beating Wellington College, Ipswich School, and Brighton College 15-5 in the final. The team then backed up their early form, beating Wellington once again 24-7 to win the Worth 7s Cup. Next up at QE Barnet 7s, the boys once again continued their excellent form, beating

Hurstpierpoint College and Whitgift School on their way to the final, again taking home the silverware following a thrilling 21-14 victory over Dulwich College. Heading into Rosslyn Park the U16s were ranked number one in the country and were the side to beat. The boys qualified for day 2 with relative ease. Having won their other day 2 cup group games, the U16s once again drew Dulwich College. In what could have been the Cup final, the U16s boys narrowly lost out 21-28, meaning they found their way into the plate competition. After 9 games of sevens over 2 days, the boys played their 10th in the Plate Final against Epsom College. The U16s finished their season on a high, winning their fourth trophy in four tournaments, taking the National School 7s Plate, 21-17. Having won 22 out of 23 sevens fixtures throughout the season is unheard of and the future of this group is very bright as they now transition from red and white to black and white.

SPORT The Great British weather wasn’t on the side if the Tonbridge U18s 1st VII side, with two out of four tournaments cancelled due to awful conditions. However, the 1st VII were able to make up for this with some excellent intensity and a good turnout at training each week. In their one competitive tournament ahead of Rosslyn Park, the boys made the Cup Final of Worth 7s, narrowly losing out in the last play of the game to old foes Wellington College. At Rosslyn Park, the boys had an excellent first day, and comfortably qualified for day two – aptly tipped as ‘The Group of Death’. In the opening game of day two the 1st VII faced Stowe School (previous winners) ending with an emphatic 19-0 victory. They then faced Nelson College from New Zealand

(tipped as the day 1 favourites), a thrilling game drew in a large crowd and finished with Tonbridge stealing victory at death, 15-14. The boys then went on to beat St Paul’s School, but injuries over the two days took their toll and their sevens journey came to an end in the Vase Quarter Final, losing out to JESS School from Dubai, 17-26. All of the sevens squads can be extremely proud of their efforts throughout the term, making memories that will live long in the memory for all involved. Cumulatively they have put Tonbridge School Sevens firmly back on the map. The future looks very bright in the coming years, and we are extremely excited to see how much these groups can develop. R Crane

First VII Rugby Squad Inigo Pullen (Captain, PH), Alex Stonor (JH), Archie Heslop (MH), Ben Pearl (Sc), Charlie Thompson (HS), Dominic Hopley (MH), Ed Lee (SH), Freddie Jobber (SH), Harry French (PH), James Wildblood (PH), Jean Van der Spuy (FH), Oliver Bamford (JH), Patrick Hughes (HS), Tom Birch (MH), Zachary Johnson (CH). Coaches: R Crane, S J Farmer.

First VII Rugby Results v Shiplake College v St Paul’s School v Brighton College Boys U18B v Hurstpierpoint College v Worth School v Wellington College v Kuflink Kent Schools’ U18 VII v Ysgol Y Preseli v Reed’s School v Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School v The Perse School v Stowe School v Nelson College v St Paul’s School v Jumeirah English Speaking School

Cancelled Won 12 – 0 Won 26 – 14 Lost 24 – 28 Won 45 – 7 Lost 20 – 24 Cancelled Won 19 – 0 Won 29 – 12 Won 45 – 0 Won 14 – 7 Won 19 – 0 Won 15 – 14 Won 15 – 12 Lost 17 – 26

7s Tournament Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match 7s Tournament RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase – Elimination Round Final 64 RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase – Group Match RPNS7s Vase - Vase Quarter Final

RUGBY SEVENS

Under 16 VII Rugby Squad Henry Hargreaves (Capt., SH), Alexander Bullock (FH), Bertie Deen (Sc), Ewen Hector (FH), Freddie Mulder (JH), Freddie Skarbek (MH), Hamish Taylor (SH), JC Vermeulen (CH), Max Eichmüller de Souza (PH), Nicholas Draper (FH), Oliver Woolf (MH), Rohan Brown (SH), Subomi Kolaojo (PS), Tiger Bussey (SH), Toby James (WH), Zuriel Nwogwugwu (HS). Coaches: C D Morgan, J M T Dixon.

Under 16 VII Rugby Results v Wellington College v Gordon’s School v The Portsmouth Grammar School v Ipswich School v Brighton College v Reigate Grammar School v St Benedict’s School v Sevenoaks School v Wellington College v Hurstpierpoint College v Campion School, Essex v Watford Grammar School for Boys v Gowerton School v Whitgift School v Dulwich College v Westcliff High School For Boys v Orleans Park School v RGS, Newcastle v Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg v The Oratory School v Dulwich College v St Peter’s School, York v RGS, Guildford v Woodhouse Grove School v Epsom College

Won 15 – 10 Won 29 – 12 Won 22 – 14 Won 36 – 28 Won 15 – 5 Won 38 – 0 Won 24 – 0 Won 50 – 0 Won 24 – 7 Won 19 – 7 Won 57 – 0 Cancelled Won 52 – 0 Won 35 – 26 Won 21 – 14 Cancelled Won 52 – 7 Won 48 – 5 Won 49 – 12 Won 35 – 21 Lost 21 – 28 Won 33 – 22 Won 14 – 12 Won 12 – 0 Won 21 – 17

Gordon’s 7s – Group Match Gordon’s 7s – Group Match Gordon’s 7s – Group Match Gordon’s 7s – Cup Semi Final Gordon’s 7s – Cup Final Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Group Match Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Cup Semi Final Gilbert Rugby Worth 7s – Cup Final QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Cup Quarter Final QE Barnet 7s – Cup Semi Final QE Barnet 7s – Cup Final RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Elimination Round Final 64 RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts – Group Match RPNS7s Colts - Plate Final

SPORT

Under 15 VII Rugby Squad Archie Denny (WH), Barnaby Grant (PS), Etornam Klutse (Sc), Harry Slade (PS), Hector MacGregor (CH), Jack Bourne (MH), Luke Coll (OH), Mani Tomazos (Sc), Rufus Foulkes (SH), Sam Blackburn (Sc), Samuel Pearl (Sc), Sebastian Cox (PH), Tom Wild (HS), Zikora Udensi (MH). Coaches: C S Sale, R J M Stephen.

Under 15 VII Rugby Results v St John’s School, Leatherhead v University College School (UCS) v Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood v Mill Hill & Belmont Schools v Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools v Epsom College v St Joseph’s College, Ipswich v Whitgift School v Emanuel School

Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost

7 – 26 7 – 24 7 – 24 14 – 24 31 – 10 0 – 48 10 – 35 12 – 52 17 – 38

MTS – 7s – Group Match MTS – 7s – Group Match MTS – 7s – Group Match MTS – 7s – Bowl Semi Final MTS – 7s – Bowl 3rd / 4th Play Off Final Wimbledon 7s – Group Match Wimbledon 7s – Group Match Wimbledon 7s – Group Match Wimbledon 7s - Group Match

Under 14 VII Rugby Squad Bruno Santaolalla (PS), Charlie Skarbek (FH), Dalen Kurmanbayev (Sc), Douglas Barr (Sc), Ferdi Haywood (JH), George Hughes (PS), George Vassilev (WH), Guy Gilbey (OH), Harry Haigh (SH), Joshua Dyckhoff (CH), Kether Nwaki (PH), Luke Hague (WH), Max Stuttard (JH), Oli Richards (MH), Pablo Zurita (Sc), Thomas Baker (FH). Coaches: CD Morgan, C S Sale, R Crane, S J Farmer

Under 14 VII Rugby Results v Coopers’ Company & Coborn School v Campion School, Essex v Finchley RFC v Brighton College v Trinity School, Croydon v John Fisher School v Seaford College v Whitgift School v Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg v Wimbledon College v Torquay Boys’ Grammar School

Lost Won Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won Won Lost

10 – 19 19 – 14 33 – 7 5 – 12 31 – 0 14 – 19 12 – 7 0 – 31 21 – 12 17 – 14 5 – 12

QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Group Match QE Barnet 7s – Plate Quarter Final Reigate 7s – Group Match Reigate 7s – Group Match Reigate 7s – Group Match Reigate 7s – Cup Quarter Final RPNS7s U14 – Group Match RPNS7s U14 – Group Match RPNS7s U14 – Group Match

FIVES

FIVES Fives Club Report

he season started early for captain Max Freudenheim (MH) and Greg Slater (SH) who took part in the Schools’ Winchester Fives tournament in November 2022. In a round robin format they narrowly failed to make the final, just losing out to Winchester 2. This was the best ever for Tonbridge in that competition. They continued that good form in the New Year tournament at Winchester. Max reached the semi-finals of the singles and took a game off the number two seed before finally losing 11-7 in the third game. He and Greg very nearly made the final of the doubles when they had match points at 10-6 up in the third and deciding game against the old rivals, Winchester 2. Sadly, they were not converted, but both performances were the best ever from Tonbridge in that tournament. The term was as busy as usual with over 60 boys in the club, of whom nearly 50 were able to represent the school in a match.There was the usual good standard of competition at all levels in the leagues. The internal tournaments were well-supported. The Novi Singles had a strong favourite in Edward Richards (WH) with competition to see who his opponent in the final would be, and Bruno Santaolalla (PS) came through in a slightly depleted lower half of the draw, but did not have the consistency to match Ed in the final, losing 11-1, 11-1. Had Ed been a few weeks younger he would have been a strong contender for the U14 singles and, with a decent left-hander, a very strong contender for the U14 doubles at the Nationals. Having played 1st IV all season, Oliver Woolf (MH) was a strong favourite for the U16 singles, and he did win easily beating Lucas Saunders- Aroma (PS) 11-4, 11-4 in the final. Max was favourite for the senior singles, remaining comfortably unbeaten over the term and he was clinical against Greg in the final winning 11-7, 11-3. The House matches produced some good games, but the top two seeds reached the final in each case. In the U16s Manor (Oliver Woolf and Oliver Wilson) had too many shots for the determined defence of Parkside (Lucas Saunders- Aroma and Freddie Caton) winning 115, 11-5. The best final, on past form, and in reality, was the Senior doubles with a lot resting on the consistency of the second string for each house. In the end Archie MacPherson for Smythe withstood the pressure better and he and Greg Slater defeated the Manor pair of Max Freudenheim and Alex Woolf slightly more comfortably than expected after a very tight first game, 11-9, 11-3. This was a great result for Greg after being the runner-up so often.

With good results so far, it was hoped this would continue at the Nationals. Max again made the semifinal of the singles, losing to the eventual winner. This, it is believed, is a first for Tonbridge at the Nationals for at least fifty years. The doubles did not go quite so well and once again Max and Greg lost in a close three game match, this time in the quarter-finals to Edinburgh Academy. Real highlights were four out of six entrants in the U16 making the last 16; Oliver Woolf, Lucas Saunders-Aroma, Jack Bourne (MH) and Freddie Caton. Oliver and Lucas made the semi-final of the doubles winning a good quarter-final against Stamford 1. Sadly, only two of the very strong group of under fourteens could make the tournament but both George Hughes (PS) and Joseph Morrison (PS) made the last 16 of the singles and the quarter-finals of the doubles where they managed to take a game off the number three seeds. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the support from CEW, HJMS and JDS who have been very willing to assist as needed and we finally managed to the first two onto a court this year. Martin Wilkinson remains very popular as our coach and the younger players wonder at how someone over sixty years their senior can still beat them. Ian Jackson

Senior Fives

his year was another successful season for the fives club, particularly for the 1st IV who recorded some big wins and almost went undefeated against schools only to fall short at the final hurdle. The 1st IV this year was made up of veteran 1st IV players Max Freudenheim (MH) and Greg Slater (SH), as well as newcomers Edd Perry (JH) and Oliver Woolf (MH), Ollie being chosen ahead of his older brother Alex (much to his chagrin!). The first match of the season was played against the Rugby Fives Association, an adult team featuring Dr Jackson’s schoolboy doubles partner (much to everyone’s excitement). The RFA had put out a stronger team than the previous year to ensure Tonbridge wouldn’t win for a second successive year. There were some strong performances in the singles, particularly from the top two seeds, Max managing to edge his match against Morgan Spillane, a former Irish handball champion, and Greg coming incredibly close to becoming only the second Tonbridgian to beat Tony Hamilton (he unfortunately lost 11-9). Ollie Woolf was

SPORT

Greg Slater and Max Freudenheim: Winners of the Senior Doubles at South-East Regional 2023

disappointed to lose 11-2 to a 73-year-old, but S. Beal’s experience and incredibly intimidating gloveless playing style make this nothing to be ashamed of. Eventually after some competitive doubles matches, the RFA triumphed in what was an enjoyable start to the season. Only a couple days afterwards, the 2nd IV had their first fixture against the 1st IV of Radley. Unfortunately, due to the courts sweating they were only able to play doubles as it was too dangerous to play singles. Archie Macpherson (SH) and Gaby Saleh (SH) put on a particularly strong performance, winning their first two matches 15-0. All in all, Radley found themselves thoroughly outclassed and were on the receiving end of an impressive drubbing by the 2nd IV. The 1st IV’s next fixture was St Paul’s away, and it came with the appealing prospect of a first win against them for 20 years. In contrast to the first fixture, it was the second pair that excelled at singles winning both their games. Perry put in a particularly strong performance with a gutsy comeback to win his match 12-10. However, after the singles we were trailing 35-39 which put what was previously thought to be a comfortable win very

much in doubt. In the doubles, we mixed up the pairings from the previous match to good effect with Slater & Woolf and Freudenheim & Perry forming the pairs. Both comfortably beat the Paul’s second pair, and although Slater & Woolf put in a strong performance against the first pair in their first game, they were unable to back it up in the second. There was some concern after Freudenheim & Perry lost their first game 11-3, nevertheless they roared back with an 11-8 win which sealed the match. A great win for the 1st IV and an incredibly rare one against St Paul’s, though closer than expected at 106-95. Next up was Alleyn’s who are always tough opponents. The 1st IV with Thomas Gardner (CH) capably filling in for the absent Perry as well as two members of the 2nd IV and two U16s taking on their U16As were involved in the match. In the 1st IV there were some good singles matches the highlight being a tight affair between Slater and their 2nd seed Laurie Milner with Greg sadly losing 11-9. Their top seed Theo Vernacchio tragically bruised his hand during his 11-4 loss to Freudenheim who was a bit too strong for him. This left Milner to play in both doubles’ pairs with a reduced number of games. Despite

FIVES this unexpected turn of events, we were still able to play some great doubles’ matches with Gardner putting in an especially impressive performance alongside Freudenheim against Milner and their 3rd seed, allowing us to comfortably complete the win. For the other team there were also some great performances, while Alex Woolf (MH) narrowly lost his singles, Felix Edelman (MH) (who I know will be an excellent successor when he takes over my mantle as captain of fives next year) destroyed his opponent 11-1. In the doubles, neither pair was able to take a game off their top pair although both weren’t far way with 12-10 and 11-9 defeats for Saunders-Aroma & Edelman and Wilson & Woolf respectively, but they didn’t drop a game to the second pair. Thus, they won the match 113-94. The South-East Regionals was a great chance for the Tonbridge seniors to get our hands on some silverware, but alas the Senior singles was going to be a tough ask due to the presence of Genesis Nsenga from St. Olave’s. Genesis swept aside Greg in the semi-final and although Max retrieved epically in the final, Genesis was simply too powerful for him beating him 11-3 11-5 to claim the trophy. Thankfully, Genesis hadn’t brought his doubles partner Caleb (with whom he won the National Schools Doubles title with later this year), so Greg and Max were able to win the trophy comfortably with Alex and Tom coming 3rd. The best match of the day was the Singles Plate final between Tom & Alex which has been an incredibly fiercely fought rivalry throughout season. On this occasion, Alex was able to come up trumps in an entertaining all-Tonbridge battle, winning it 11-9. After some time to rest, recover and revise over the half term the 1st IV was back in action against Christ’s Hospital while the 3rd IV played their only fixture of the season against the Christ’s Hospital 2nd IV. In the 1st IV the top 3 seeds all recorded big wins in the singles, with Freudenheim upsetting the hope of the Christ’s Hospital players that Charlie Lacewing (the Christ’s Hospital 1st seed and an U16) could beat him by ruthlessly destroying him 11-2. In the doubles Christ’s Hospital didn’t manage to win a game although the first pair came close twice losing 12-11 to Slater & Woolf and 12-10 to Freudenheim & Perry. In contrast to the destruction the 1st IV bestowed on their opposition, the 3rd IV’s match was considerably closer and more competitive. Gaby Saleh and James Tam (MH) both contested incredibly tight singles games with Gaby edging his 12-11 while James fell agonisingly short, losing 12-10. In the doubles, the pair of Macpherson & Saleh was dominant, dropping only 9 points across their 4 games. While the 2nd pair of Felix Burnett (CH) & Tam struggled, they did enough to allow Tonbridge to record an impressive victory against a 2nd team of 101-82.

It was a bit of a weird fixture for the 1st IV against Winchester away who we knew would be formidable opponents. I must thank and give great credit to Mr Swales for his superb driving and even more impressive patience and calm when faced with an angry local. After the dramatic and lengthy journey, we were raring to go when we arrived at Winchester, and we had brought reinforcements in the form of Alex Woolf. Only two singles matches were played, the most notable one being a brilliant 11-8 victory for Freudenheim over Chris Lee, revenge for his narrow defeat in three games at the West of England tournament. A couple of great doubles matches were played with Freudenheim & Slater failing to take match points against the Winchester second pair and devastatingly losing an epic battle 16-15. Ollie Woolf was recruited for a game after Slater who’d slightly injured his arm made the decision to rest it for Nationals. Ollie played possibly his best fives of the season in this game, and we got their very competitive coach worried as we narrowly lost 16-14 against their superstar 1st seed and more than capable 4th. Perry, Gardner, and Woolf who mixed around the pairings all fought valiantly against one of the top U16s pairs in the country, but they were unable to record a victory. A couple days later, the 1st IV played the traditional yearly match against the OTs. Special thanks should go to Archie Macpherson who was asked and agreed to play at very late notice. The 1st IV consisted of a leavers’ team with Freudenheim, Perry, Alex Woolf and Macpherson taking to the court. Unfortunately, no-one was able to win a singles match with Perry getting the closest, losing 11-8. In the doubles it looked like no games might be won again, however Perry and Freudenheim spectacularly came from behind to win a tight and entertaining game 12-11. Although, the match wasn’t particularly close, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening, particularly the subsequent dinner at Alishan where we got the chance to hear what Tonbridge was like in their time (let’s just say I’m glad I’m here now!). All in all, it’s been a wonderful final season with the fives club, and I have to admit that I’m saddened knowing I will never see another year of fives at Tonbridge. Huge thanks must go to Dr Jackson, Martin, Dr Shafer, Mr Swales, and Mr Wright who have helped and supported us throughout the season, ensuring that the fives club runs smoothly and that we could achieve all that we have. Max Freudenheim (MH), Captain

SPORT First IV Squad Max Freudenheim (MH), Greg Slater (CH), Oliver Woolf (MH), Edd Perry (JH) Also played: Thomas Gardner (CH), Alex Woolf (MH), Archie Macpherson (SH)

First IV Fives Results Played: 6

Won: 3

v RFA v St Paul’s v Alleyn’s v Christ’s Hospital v Winchester v Old Tonbridgians

Lost: 3 Lost Won Won Won Lost Lost

86 – 126 106 – 95 83 – 67 128 – 47 49 – 96 64 – 132

Second IV Squad Alex Woolf (MH), Archie MacPherson (SH), Gaby Saleh (SH), Felix Edelman (MH)

Second IV Fives Results Played: 2

Won: 2

V Radley 1st IV v Alleyn’s U16A

Lost: 0 Won Won

82 – 41 113 – 94

Third IV Squad Archie MacPherson (SH), Gaby Saleh (SH), Felix Burnett (CH), James Tam (MH)

Third IV Fives Results Played: 1

Won: 1

V Christ’s Hospital 2nd IV

Lost: 0 Won

101 – 82

Under 16 Fives

t has been another good season for Fives, particularly in the U16s. All players were eager to get back on the courts for a fresh season, and with a few changes of personnel here and there from last year’s composition, the teams were looking very strong from the offset. The season consisted of 4 interschool matches alongside the South-East Regional Tournament, throughout which fluidity in the team’s makeup saw Oliver Carroll (CH) and Jack Bourne (MH) make consistent appearances in the team, despite their respective ages.

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Oliver Wilson & Oliver Woolf: Winners of the Under 16 Doubles at South-East Regional 2023

The term kicked off with a sad postponement of the Berkhamsted game, which saw the team even hungrier to get playing competitively again, naturally adding to the excitement of the St Paul’s game. The U16s were still in the match, fighting to win, following the singles, with Carroll and Bourne playing well to win their games, however the top pair for St Paul’s were too strong and, having gone on to win three out of their four games, paved the way for a comfortable St Paul’s victory, in what was a highly competitive match. Although a loss, spirits were high, and the team looked forward to the Alleyn’s game. A combined U16/U15 team of differing abilities faced off against the Alleyn’s U15A team yet, sadly, after fierce competition, Tonbridge couldn’t come back to take the game. The South-East Regionals came around shortly after, and following an absolute storming from Tonbridge last year, there was a lot to defend, particularly on home turf. The singles brought about close competition between Oliver Woolf (MH) and Christ Hospital’s Charlie Lacewing, with Woolf having won their encounter last year. Sadly, after a tight two games Lacewing took the tournament in the final. Oliver Wilson (MH) won the singles plate. The doubles were as exciting and saw the top pair of Woolf and Wilson winning the cup following

FIVES another tense final match with Christ Hospitals first pair, and successfully defending Tonbridge’s title. Overall, it was a great success, and the team thoroughly enjoyed the day. The season swiftly moved on, returning to the muchanticipated Berkhamsted game. A solid win for Tonbridge who were facing off against strong Eton fives players, and although their top pair took the game in the doubles, everything else went Tonbridge’s way. Sadly the Bs were not quite strong enough for the Eastbourne A team but made a good, competitive game. The last game of the season was Winchester away, and although it was a slightly dreaded journey, the team were looking forward to finishing off the season well, which they certainly did. The singles were stormed by Tonbridge, not losing a game, and with only one loss in the doubles, it was an exceptional finish to the term. Overall, it has been another incredible season of fives for this year, and it could have happened without Dr Jackson’s guidance, Martin’s training, and Mr Swales’ generosity in trekking us all over the place, so a huge thanks goes out to them! I know this group is already looking forward to the next season. Oliver Wilson (MH)

Under 16A Squad Oliver Woolf (MH), Lucas Saunders-Aroma (PS), Oliver Wilson (MH), Freddie Caton (PS)

Under 16A Fives Results Played: 4

Won: 2

v St Paul’s v Alleyns v Berkhamsted v Winchester

Lost: 2 Lost Lost Won Won

75 – 103 90 – 121 129 – 61 98 – 60

Under 16B Squad Luke Tippin (CH), Ethan Hudson (OH), Edward Scott (OH), Ryan Fortune (PS)

Under 16B Fives Results Played: 3 v Alleyns v Berkhamsted v Eastbourne A

Won: 2

Lost: 1 Won Won Lost

138 – 120 101 – 85 67 – 111

Under 15 Fives

his proved to be a tough season for the U15s, with only 7 players we struggled to put out a fully U15 team, and so often had to borrow some U16 players to make a better game. At the start of term, we had a couple of weeks to warm up to where we were at the end of last season, before our first match, away at St. Paul’s. We knew that this would be a tough first game for both the mixed U15/16 A and B teams, and so it proved to be. In the A game, although Tonbridge were still in contention after the singles, a strong first pair from St Paul’s meant that it was not to be for Tonbridge. Similarly, St Paul’s B team also proved too strong for us. Only Freddie Caton (PS) won his singles, and despite him and Luke Tippin (CH) taking a game off their top pair in the doubles, Tonbridge’s heads dropped a bit, meaning that St Paul’s won by a bit more than they should have. Next up was Alleyn’s, in what we knew would be another hard match for another mixed year group A/B team squad. The A team faced a tough Alleyn’s side, whose strong number 1 player won all of his games. Although Tonbridge mostly did well against the lower players, there was no way back, leading to a comfortable Alleyn’s

victory. However, the B team were in for a superb match. Having taken the lead after the singles, Tonbridge won 6 of the next 8 doubles matches, seeing them home for the only win in the U15 season. A mix of U14/15 players then travelled to Bradfield to play their A team. Having dropped behind after the singles, Tonbridge couldn’t find a way back into the match, due to a strong Bradfield 1st pair, leading to a Bradfield victory. The final match of the season was the full U15A side against Winchester. Leading by 9 after the singles, it looked like it would be a match Tonbridge would win, but a very strong performance from Winchester, particularly their 2nd pair, in the doubles changed the match’s outcome. Overall, it has been a challenging but fun season for the U15s, and we are all looking forward to next year. Oliver Carroll (CH)

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SPORT Under 15A Squad Oliver Carroll (CH); Jack Bourne (MH); Alex Collins (FH); Daniel Armes (WH)

Under 15A Fives Results Played: 3

Won: 0

v St. Paul’s v Alleyn’s v Winchester

Lost: 3 Lost Lost Lost

75 – 103 90 – 121 88 – 94

Under 15B Squad Ouge Liu (CH); Lucas Flint (PH); Mani Tomazos (Sc)

Under 15B Fives Results Played: 3

Won: 1

v St. Paul’s v Alleyn’s v Bradfield

Lost: 2 Lost Won Lost

57 – 125 138 – 123 79 – 100

Under 14 Fives

55 with one loss in the whole match. The Cs came out the best though with a win of 180-35. The Cs were not pushed at any point in this match. To complete the clean sweep, the D team also won comfortably. A week later, the D team were up against Radley. After having won all of the singles matches, and then winning all of their doubles the D team won 118 to 17 despite efforts to make the match a competitive one. For the final match of the season, The As played Winchester who are traditionally the best team on the calendar. The Bs, Cs and Ds took on St Pauls As, Bs and Cs respectively on the same day. To take on two of the three strongest schools on the Fives circuit on the same day has never been attempted before. Even more extraordinary though was that all four teams won. In the As it was clear that Tonbridge were the stronger team. Two sub matches were played with Tonbridge winning the top pair 49-45 and the lower four more comfortably 78-34. In the Bs the score was 122 - 86. The closest match of the season for this good group of players. Tonbridge gradually pulled away in the doubles after the singles had been quite tight and Huw Thomas (OH) had had a very long game at number 1, eventually winning 11-6. A great victory to round off a great season. The Cs also had a competitive match but Tonbridge’s strength in depth became clear with a very convincing win at D level.

n the first half of the Lent Term, the U14s – all of whom were pretty much new to fives – spent their training sessions improving their technique as well as learning the rules for both singles and doubles. All of the coaches helped us with this, as well as developing our understanding of the mechanics of the game. During this half term, we all enjoyed leagues.

Even though Fives was a new sport to all of us, we have all improved an incredible amount in a very short term. This is thanks to all our amazing coaches, particularly Martin and Dr Jackson. For all the teams, this has been a great season, unbeaten at all levels, and we are all looking forward to next year.

The first external match for the U14s came just before half term, against Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted play a different type of fives compared to Tonbridge. Tonbridge play Rugby and Winchester fives, whilst Berkhamsted play Eton fives. Tonbridge spent a while being taught the game before they played a match. With multiple teams beating Berkhamsted at their own game Tonbridge comfortably won.

Under 14A Squad Edward Richards (WH), Huw Thomas (OH), Harry Rogerson (OH), George Hughes (PS)

Next up, the U14Ds had a fixture against Bradfield A team. This was a thrilling match to watch. After the singles Tonbridge were winning and it didn’t stop after the doubles. Without anyone losing a game Tonbridge went on to win comfortably. The next match was against Alleyns who we played at A, B, C and D level. After the singles matches, all teams were ahead. The As ended up winning 172-80 so won comfortably. The Bs won even more comfortably 172-

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Edward Richards (WH)

Under 14A Fives Results Played: 3

Won: 3

v Berkhamsted v Alleyn’s v Winchester

Lost: 0 Won Won Won

22 – 2 172 – 80 127 – 79

Under 14B Squad Max Stuttard (JH), Bruno Santaolalla (PS), Harry Ejje (CH), George Vassilev (WH)

RACKETS

Under14B Fives Results Played: 3

Won: 3

v Berkhamsted v Alleyns v St. Paul’s

Lost: 0 Won Won Won

16 – 14 172 – 55 122 – 88

Under 14D Squad Elliot Barnes (MH), William Cruttenden (PH), Oliver Campbell-Lambert (PH), Finn Stanford (WW) Also played: Alex Tsukanov (SH), Gabriel Li (FH), Kevin Fernando (CH), Benjamin Cook (SH), Sam Butcher (PS), Sammy Al Bayaa (FH) Under 14D Fives Results

Under 14C Squad Joseph Morrison (PS), Oli Richards (MH), Harry Haigh (SH), Harry Bull (WW)

Under 14C Fives Results Played: 4

Won: 4

v Berkhamsted v Alleyns v Eastbourne v St. Paul’s

Played: 4

Won: 4

v Bradfield College v Alleyns v Radley v St. Paul’s

Lost: 0 Won Won Won Won

127 – 61 164 – 55 118 – 17 134 – 50

Lost: 0 Won Won Won Won

24 – 4 180 – 35 108 – 63 123 – 81

RACKETS National Schools Rackets Championships 2023

he National Schools Rackets Doubles Championships at Queen’s took place in March. Going into the last day, after seven days of continuous matches at all levels, Tonbridge just needed to win the 2nd pair final in order to retain the Mark Faber Cup (awarded to the top school in the country) for a second consecutive year. Sadly, we lost that 2nd pair final to Harrow by three games to two. Our 1st pair Alex MacPherson (FH) and Sam Seecharan (OH), had lost in the semi-final of the main event. The U15A pair lost in the first round to the 2nd seeds on day one, but our U16A pair of Hugh Jacobs (FH) and Freddie Mulder (JH) reached the Colts Final, where they were beaten by 1st seeds Haileybury. The accumulative points won in all competitions at Queen’s, in the singles in December and doubles in March, count towards the Mark Faber Cup. While it was, in the end, a case of narrowly missing out, the tournament still represented a fantastic week for Tonbridge Rackets.

Ollie Sykes (HS) and Jake Hazari-Webb (OH), the Tonbridge Rackets Second pair and the first seeds at Queen’s

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SPORT

SQUASH Squash Club Report

he Squash Club is now a three-term sport, though there are no competitive fixtures in the summer. In this context, with the internal leagues after school sessions and house matches, over 100 boys have been on court at some point during the year. The fixture list has been in flux post Covid-19, with a number of schools no longer being able to field a team despite our ethos being to try to match the strength of the opposition, rather than fielding the strongest possible side for every fixture. We are aiming to travel to as many fixtures as possible by public transport in the future and are rebuilding the fixture list accordingly.

a lot of talent coming through in the lower school and whilst next season the 1st V may struggle a little for lack of experience, the prospects for the year after are very strong indeed.

We had a full-strength 1st X for the opening match of the season versus Charterhouse, and were well on track to achieve a draw overall when Abhay Menon (Sc) unfortunately suffered a knee injury which put him out for the whole season. He is working hard to get back and we hope will be able to feature next year. Even without Abhay, the 1st V has been particularly strong this year as the first three of Alex MacPherson (FH), Christopher Sneddon (OH) and Matthew Bull (MH) were all seasoned U6th players. The boys performed well at the Epsom Inter-School Competition, but their most pleasing result was to earn promotion to Division 1 of the Roehampton Competition for next season. There is

Squash Colours Awarded 2022/23

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Finally, I want to end by thanking Cliff Herridge for his continuous efforts to help the boys improve during official session and with one-on-one coaching. He has also organized Monday night sessions for non-club players, and two trips to watch the professionals play at the Canary Wharf Open. C M Batterbee

Full Colours: Matthew Bull (MH) Alex MacPherson (FH) Christopher Sneddon (OH) Alastair Wu (MH) Half Colours: Maxwell Barton (Sc) Charlie Skarbek (FH) Freddie Skarbek (MH)

CROSS COUNTRY

CROSS COUNTRY Cross Country Report

n early January the cross country club once again gathered to rack up the miles, splash through the mud and race the trails of the southeast. The season, as always, started with a big test. The Knole run on the second weekend back representing the longest and toughest course on the circuit. The first VIII of Zach Gibbon (Sc), Jacob Hargreaves (SH), Freddie Nicholson (WH), Matt Smith (JH), Lucas Mulley (CH), Adrian Shum (PH), Ben Millett (WW) and Farlie Willett (Sc) equipping themselves well in a high quality race. Next was on to the Kent championships with Farlie Willett, Ben Millett and Nico Swainson (SH) representing the Tonbridge district which ran out third in the Junior section and victorious in the inters. All boys again ran strongly in a high quality race on a flat and fast course. At this stage the club could start to build training with a gap in the racing schedule. As with all endurance sport the battle is ultimately with yourself and some committed training from groups two and three showed with some great times posted in our first Saturday 5km time trial. The racing focus at this time was the CRAS where cross country club members get to measure themselves against those competing in other sports. The boys ran

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with great pride and commitment, many showing high up in these fast, competitive races on the pan flat course. There are too many excellent performances to mention individually but worth particular note was Nico Swainson winning the Novi race and Ben Millett doing likewise in the inters. After a break week over half term the club were back to training with the prospect of races at Wellington and Harrow in the second half of the season. Tuesday interval sessions and Thursday long runs were completed in great spirit despite climate change failing to result in the milder conditions we would have liked. The 12km hilly mud run completed in sleety conditions, having to up the pace to get back for the Argo rehearsal was a particular highlight. Wellington relays were a great success. The Novi finished in 5th pace, the inters made it on to the podium in third and the senior team of Zach Gibbon, Jacob Hargreaves, Lucas Mulley, Freddie Nicholson, and Tom Horrell (OH) were victorious by 35 seconds. This race was followed by strong runs at Harrow to round off a very successful season. Thanks to all boys and staff for their commitment to the club and with the strength of the junior ranks I look forward to many more successful years in the future. T G Fewster

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FENCING

FENCING Fencing Club Report

his term has been one of the most highly subscribed terms for fencing, and the success in numbers has been reflected in the success of the teams. The foil, sabre and épée teams, captained by Sebastian Chamberlain (HS), Conor Coogan (PS) joint with Laifu Fan (PH) and Abraham Chan (MH) respectively, enjoyed numerous successes: of 24 total matches, 19 were won, including a second place achieved in a triangular fixture with Harrow and Westminster. Fencers also attended the Public Schools Fencing Competition this term, where they competed with other fencers from independent schools across the country in their respective blades. Special commendation goes to Abraham Chan (affectionately known to his close friends as ‘Abham Kebabham’, due to his talent with the blade), who ranked 12th in foil and 10th in épée. Additionally, the 1st sabre team won Bronze in the British school championships this term. To add to further successes, fifteen pupils qualified at the British Youth Championship Qualifiers in February, some of whom will go on to the Nationals Competition this summer The fencing club also held the Master at Arms competition this term, in which fencers duel against each other for the title of Master at Arms. There are five different categories, one for each blade as well as the beginner foil category and the overall Master at Arms. Under 18 Squad Épée Abraham Chan (MH), Miles Raymond (CH) Foil Sebastian Chamberlain (HS), Abraham Chan (MH), Marcus Cheung (PS), Stanley Southgate (MH Sabre Conor Coogan (PS), Solar Choi (HS)

Under 16 Squad Épée Jaden Jin (PH), James Parr (SH), Carlos Han (PS) Foil Antonio de Vivo (HS) Sabre Laifu Fan (PH), Freddie Barry (Sc), Stephen Cheung (MH) Épée

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Fencing Results Played: 24 v Brentwood

Foil

Sabre

Master at Arms Competition Beginner Foil: Foil: Épée: Sabre: Master at Arms:

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William Hall (Sc) Sebastian Chamberlain (HS) Sebastian Chamberlain (HS) Conor Coogan (PS) Abraham Chan (MH)

Won: 19

Lost: 5

Sabre Won 45 – 41 Foil Won 45 – 43 Épée Won 45 – 30 v Westminster Foil Won 43 – 39 Sabre Won 45 – 35 Épée Won 45 – 35 Triangular v Harrow and Westminster Fencing 10 Épée 9 Sabre 13 v Benenden Beginner Foil Won 45 – 36 Épée Lost 42 – 45 Foil Lost 32 – 45 v Whitgift Sabre Lost 33 – 45 Épée A Lost 38 – 45 Épée B Lost 42 – 45 Foil Won 45 – 37 v Charterhouse Foil Won 45 – 9 Sabre Won 45 – 20 Épée Won 45 – 17 v Worth Épée Won 45 – 33 Foil Won 45 – 28 Beginner Foil Won 45 – 29 Sabre Won 45 – 30 v Ardingly Sabre Won 45 – 28 Épée Won 45 – 33 Foil Won 45 – 38

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL Under 19A Basketball

jam-packed season for the senior basketball team, with 14 fixtures in only 12 weeks. This season also saw the team enter the Kent County league, providing much stiffer competition. This was a highly skilled and fluid team, with a lot of talent across the court. First weekend of term saw a tight-fought competition against Cranbrook school, very narrowly missing out on the win in the dying seconds of the game. The team regrouped and worked hard on their plays in offence, however, they still saw losses against basketball academy Northfleet Technology College (NTC) U17 team and Royal Hospital School. Then the tide turned, and the squad racked up a run of 3 wins, all in the Kent County league. Captain Aidan

Chow (PH) played a key role in controlling the offence in these matches with Matthew Tao (Sc), Jeffrey Sze (Sc) and Adrian Lam (JH) showing ingenuity in their creative drives to basket, racking up high point takes in the matches. Sasha Duda (PH) and Alex Titchener (WH) were central to the defence, setting up for some fantastic block shots and effectively controlling the recycling of the ball off a rebound. Then came time to face off against NTC’s U19 team, a formidable opponent from the dedicated basketball academy. Though Tonbridge took the loss, this was a hard fought and very evenly matched game, keeping the coaching staff on the edge of their seats for all 4 periods. Ethan Glucina (PS) displayed his deft ability

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SPORT to both attract and dish out fouls, scoring several very skilled baskets before getting fouled out himself. Nicholas Laidlaw (WW) played a stormer in defence, denying many opposition baskets. Next came a tough loss against a strong Charterhouse team. However, the team maintained the resilience they had shown throughout the season to bounce back from this loss with a run of three wins in friendlies against Sevenoaks, Wellington and Eton. These matches saw Fred Munn (MH) assert his 3-point shot, Dylan Huang (FH) control the offence and Hayden Lam (FH) make a stunning number of steals against an increasingly frustrated Eton team. This string of success set the team up well for the rematch against NTC U17s. Only after the team had won this strongly contested match did anyone (including this MiC) realise that this was in fact the Kent Cup quarter final. This set the team up for the semi-final fixture against Beth’s Grammar School. A subsequent loss in a preparatory friendly against Sevenoaks threatened to set the team on edge, however they went into the semi-final focused and calm. It was another strongly contested match, with Beth’s able to edge out Tonbridge to take the win. However, for Coach Adi this was in his opinion the best match of the season for the team, who played as one unit seamlessly in the match. Though the team were disappointed to miss out on a chance for the cup, this season the U18 basketball team displayed remarkable resilience in the face of tough

Under 19A Basketball Results Played: 14

Won: 8

Drawn: 0

v Cranbrook School v Northfleet Technology Coll. U17 v Royal Hospital School v The North School v The King’s School, Canterbury v Folkestone Academy v Northfleet Technology Coll. U19 v Charterhouse v Sevenoaks School v Wellington College v Eton College v Northfleet Technology Coll. U17 v Sevenoaks School v Beths Grammar School

Lost Lost Lost Won Won Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Lost

Lost: 6 45 – 47 45 – 62 69 – 80 66 – 51 76 – 47 73 – 40 53 – 62 44 – 70 53 – 44 63 – 43 80 – 34 80 – 69 51 – 58 50 – 62

opposition and their performance in the county league and cup cemented themselves as a formidable presence in Kent basketball. A R Cooper Squad A.Chow (captain) (PH), M. Tao (Sc), J. Sze (Sc), A. Titchener (WH), S. Duda (PH), D. Huang (FH), V. Patricot (WW), A. Lam (JH), H. Lam (FH), N. Laidlaw (WW), F. Munn (MH), E. Glucina (PS) Also played: K. Nawal (JH), A. Pope-Saffer (SH)

Under 16A Basketball

superb season from the U16 basketball team. This year saw players from a spread of year groups participate in some hard fought yet enjoyable matches, with some excellent basketball on display. The season started strong with a run of three wins against Cranbrook, Maidstone Warriors and Sevenoaks. The Cranbrook and Sevenoaks matches were evenly matched, with the team counting on the amazing agility of Ethan Glucina (PS) in offence to secure the wins, along with Alex Titchener (WH), who was proving impassable in defence. Throughout these initial matches, Max Teh (HS) was the crucial linking agent, controlling the passage of play. This season saw many new players take to the court for Tonbridge. After an impressive showing in House Basketball, Timothy Dong (FH) settled into the team seamlessly, and could be counted on to provide some

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much-needed threes at crucial times in games. Additionally, Novi Finn Eastwood (Sc) cemented his spot on the team early on by showing tenacity and accuracy in his drives to basket. As the season progressed past the first three games, the U16s saw their only loss of the season to Charterhouse, where they were pipped by only 5 points. Yet the U16s took this in their stride, and as they went on to face Eton, Wellington, and Sevenoaks Suns they returned to their winning ways. New squad members particularly found their groove in these later matches, displaying impressive ingenuity in their varied drives to basket and tight defence. This was a successful season for the U16s and the players impressed with their dedication and commitment to furthering their skills on court. A R Cooper Mat Parker (Coach)

SWIMMING

Squad M. Teh (captain) (HS), Ethan Glucina (PS), Jaden Ayodele (CH), James Beveridge (Sc), Timothy Dong (FH), Adrian Pan (JH), Maximilian St. Matthew-Daniel (JH), Alexander Fu (PH), Alex Titchener (WH), Fred Wilkes (WH) Also played: Max Robinson-Long (WH)

Under 16A Basketball Results Played: 7

Won: 6

v Cranbrook School v Maidstone Warriors v Sevenoaks School v Charterhouse v Wellington College v Eton College v Sevenoaks Suns

Drawn: 0

Lost: 1

Won Won Won Lost Won Won Won

51 – 41 84 – 24 55 – 37 51 – 56 45 – 40 62 – 47 50 – 34

SWIMMING Swimming Club Report

he Swimming Club continues to go from strength to strength with well over fifty boys training in the pool this term. It has been fantastic to see the depth and talent from the Novi, but equally their commitment to improve.

medals were won by Alexander Tollit (HS3), Timothy Dong (FH2) and Evan Norris (WW). The highlight of the meet goes to James Fry (PH) who swam the 100m freestyle in 56.40, knocking 5 seconds of his previous PB. A feat that just doesn’t happen in swimming!

To start the term the swim team took part in the Kent Schools Individual Championships in Tunbridge Wells. 2023 saw our best ever result, with Tonbridge being placed 2nd in the overall rankings, despite us having no swimmers in year 7 or 8. In the seniors Denys Mialkovskyi (OH) blew the rest of the field away with his backstroke and he won another gold in the 200m IM. Max El-Mokadem (WW) took home first place in the Inters 100m freestyle and silver in the 100m fly. Further

Following on from last year’s inaugural event we continued to host the Tonbridge Triangular against Judd and Skinners’. Tonbridge swam well across the age ranges, with some excellent swims from the Novi in their first race representing the school, with a particularly impressive swim from Odin Holdom (PH) and Aaron Green (OH). Tonbridge won the meet, with a good number of personal best times.

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Shortly after the triangular Tonbridge hosted the Weald and Downland trophies. Building on our success of last year we retained all three shields. Largely these were won on the relay races, displaying the depth and quality of the squad across the year groups. The Tonbridge Trophy followed the Weald and Downland, hosted at Tonbridge the trophy sees twelve schools from across the South East competing. A very talented squad of national swimmers from Harrow won the trophy, coached by exMiC David Pinker. House swimming saw some impressive swims from swimmers both in the club and outside. Every house

fielded a full team and the atmosphere on the poolside was excellent. OH came away victorious much to Mr Barnes delight, with the talent in their younger years they will be a force to be reckoned with for the next few years. It is also important to thank the boys who have not made the squad this term, but who have helped with the organisation and running of all our home fixtures. The boys have been crucial in making sure the spreadsheet works, timing, and it has been wonderful to see them get behind the swimmers when it matters. I would also like to thank Jeanette Dymond (swim coach) for her expertise, patience and humour in her coaching. J H McNeil

SAILING RYA Day Skipper Course

ast term marked the first time the school ran an RYA Day Skipper Course, based out of Sovereign Harbour Marina (Eastbourne). Over a period of five Sundays, a group of six boys learnt and practiced the wide variety of skills needed to gain the qualification. Over this time, the boys went from learning about how weather and tides can massively affect passage planning, and prepping the boat for sail, to more technical pilotage skills and drills. These included MOBs (man overboard), picking up moorings and anchoring. Personally, my favourite aspect of all of this was learning how to tackle MOB situations under intense and unexpected circumstances, like an engine failure. It was an amazing opportunity to explore and further my skills

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in all aspects of sailing, but I particularly enjoyed having wider and more challenging experiences out at sea. I would greatly encourage any aspiring Tonbridge sailors to grasp this opportunity when it next arises. The RYA Day Skipper qualification not only provides sailors with the ability and freedom of chartering yachts, but also opens up opportunities such as offshore competency, and keelboat endorsement for those who also have their Dinghy Instructor qualification. This July, following this course, some of the boys will also be participating in the renowned ‘Round the Island Race’, one of the largest yacht races in the world, with over 1,200 boats attending.

SAILING Finally, on behalf of all the boys who attended, I wanted to say a huge thank you to Craig and Olly from ‘Bourne to Sail’, for all of the insightful teaching and coaching, as well as to Jonny Moss and Mrs Burnett who very generously gave up their Sundays to make it all happen. Richard Millett (MH) Squad Richard Millett (MH), Toby Lumb (Sc), Theodore Bourgeay (WW), Alexander Craughan (MH), Nicholas Coxon (WH) Staff Mr J Moss, Mrs J Burnett

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The Tonbridgian has a new editor – Ben Barber hands over the reins to Lucy Clubb