Page 26 - OO_2018

CRICKET
THE CRICKETER CUP
By Tim Elliott (St A 77)
Oundle Rovers were faced with another very tough Cricketer Cup draw. For the second year running they faced the previous year's runners-up in the first round with very challenging away fixtures to follow.
The campaign yielded two outstanding victories and a truly high-quality and very tight game of cricket at Malvern, with several first-class cricketers on display.
The successful set of games saw the Rovers strengthen their position as the third most successful side in the competition, ahead of all of the schools on Oundle's regular circuit.
1st rd: Oundle Rovers 219-5, Old Eastbournians 190
By Mikey Outar (L 06)
Oundle Rovers produced an outstanding performance in the first round of The Cricketer Cup at Eastbourne on 17th June to win by 29 runs.
Having won the toss and chosen to bat on what proved to be a slow wicket, Oundle's innings was built around Greg Smith's (St A 07) patient and excellent 85.
Ben Graves (F 15) supported with a fluent 26, but the key partnership was with Tom Bishop (F 10) (46), who made batting look easier than pretty much everybody else on the day.
Mikey Outar (20 not out) and Stephen Lowe (G 99) (10 not out) took the total through to 219.
In reply, Eastbourne raced to 27 off only three overs, so
SPORT
Weather setback for Multisports Weekend
By Al Gordon (C 69)
2018 has been a mixed one for OO Sport as the pressures and demands of modern life have their effect on availability and selection for the hard-working sports secretaries. Added to this, the Multisports Weekend was cancelled at the last minute due to the weather – a disappointment given all the work put in by our OO secretaries, the OO Office, and the School.
Oundle Rovers have continued to build on their new impetus, both in the highly competitive Cricketer Cup (where we remain the third most successful side after 50 years) and on the alternative match-managed fixtures. We had a fine run to the quarter-finals of the Cup, narrowly losing to our bête noire, Old Malvernians. The Eastbourne Festival is also proving very popular and was superbly masterminded by Simon Hicks (F 07).
The OO Golf Society could not repeat their exploits of 2017 in the Halford Hewitt but have continued to add to both their fixture list and membership. This allows OOs from 18 to 80 to enjoy golf both around London and regionally on some great courses.
OO Tennis has continued its strong mixture of competitive alumni events and hard-fought social tennis, the latter in the hallowed surroundings of Lincoln’s Inn Fields being the highlight of the social side.
The Troubleshooters came second in the Veterans’ Cup at Bisley but with an individual winner in Steve Postins (Ldr 86).
The cross-country squad continues to grow in strength and age range, and finished a very creditable sixth out of 35 in the Thames Hare and Hounds Alumni Race.
Rugby and football have had difficult years as they worked to regroup after decisions to withdraw from their respective leagues. Without formal leagues, reliance on friendlies is a bit hit and miss, so both clubs are looking to rebuild and youth is very much encouraged.
Sport is one of the key offerings of the OO Club, but this can only be maintained if we all support our sports secretaries and I would encourage everyone to look to contact the relevant secretary and find out what is available and/or offer your undoubted sporting services. The website is also a good source of upcoming fixtures and results.
General interest in sport remains high – as denoted by another excellent turnout at the annual Sports Lunch in April at Queen’s Club in London. We focused on a Q&A session with four OOs, all successful in their chosen sporting fields – Tom Harrison (G 89) (CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board), Anna Turney (K 97) (two times a Winter Paralympian), Kristina Cowley (L 13) (GB rower and coach) and Tom Stallard (N 97) (Olympic rower). This lunch is an excellent opportunity to catch up with OO sporting friends and I would encourage everyone to come along.
Your Club has also been active in supporting, and challenging, the School in the establishment of the Sports MasterPlan. This seeks to provide a platform for sport to be a major pillar of the School curriculum and as well as letting the stars shine and develop, allows all pupils to find a sporting measure.
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