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report she was still on her way home (!) and therefore would not be able to make it. Spencer Coates and Alistair Sherwin from the staff therefore joined Andrew, Jason Burgess, Richard Owen (Sc 70), Angus Piper, Arthur Marment and Andrew Tobin on the combined team. As we had a spare player and the School were one short, I valiantly agreed to play for them.
The pairing of Smith/Sherwin were unstoppable, closely followed by Burgess/Coates. Marment/Owen were a combination everyone struggled against, but a very fine effort was put in by Richard, appearing 50 years after he first played for the School 1st VI (whom he went on to captain a mere 49 years ago). Piper/Tobin seemed to enjoy a huge number of long and at times loud rallies, but ultimately were undone by the wind. I am particularly glad that I was able, in the words of the School captain, to “sabotage” their team effort by playing for them, even if it meant having to chuck the game against Arthur in order to ensure an honourable draw!
The final outing of the year was an evening of tennis at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London on 9th July. The weather
was kind, the sun shone and we had a great turnout of 16 OOs, a number of whom had not made any of the previous events. Those present were Oscar, Jacky Yu (C 08), Harry Evett (B 16), Angus, Thomas Lambton (B 16), Ed Ibrahim (Lx 00), Henry Johnstone (C 07), Al Goldingham (Ldr 99), Rudy Parker (C 87), Will Crone (C 07), Catherine Pelton (K 07), James Chapple (L 07), Sophie, Bella Rieck, Bella Ellis and me. We had two hours of 30-minute sessions, with everyone playing at least three sessions. The standard was incredibly high and watching even Sophie having to guess which way Ed’s serve was going to kick made me feel not quite as stupid as I usually do when facing it! The session was accompanied by drinks at the Fields café, before those of us who were not having to get up too early retired to the Seven Stars afterwards to carry on with a few more pints. Despite an age range from early 20s to mid-50s, everyone got on well, enjoying each other’s company, discovering what they each did and possibly how the older ones might be able to assist the younger ones. All in all, a good demonstration of what makes OOs so great.
SPORT
The OOs who took part in the evening of tennis at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London in July (left to right): Oscar Marshall (S 15), Jacky Yu (C 08), Harry Evett (B 16), Angus Piper (B 85), Thomas Lambton (B 16), Ed Ibrahim (Lx 00), Henry Johnstone (C 07), Lance Ashworth (G 82), Al Goldingham (Ldr 99), Rudy Parker (C 87), Will Crone (C 07), Catherine Pelton (K 07), James Chapple (L 07), Sophie Walker (L 10), Bella Rieck (K 05) and Bella Ellis (Sn 14)
OO SPORTS LUNCH
Over 100 OOs gathered together for the annual Sports Lunch in the very pleasant surroundings of the Queen’s Club in London in April.
Superbly organised by Guy Simmonds (St A 95) and Al Gordon (C 69), everyone enjoyed reconnecting with each other over drinks in the bar, followed by a delicious lunch.
There were tables representing the 1994 cricket tour of the West Indies and rugby players from 1991/2, while several former staff members were present, including John Wake, Vic Northwood, Tony Cowley and Terry Cobner.
The Head, Sarah Kerr-Dineen, updated everyone on the progress of the Sports MasterPlan and on sport in the School generally.
Jules Mountain (S 84) then gave a gripping account, together with slides and video, of his attempt on
Seven members of the 1969 School 1st XV, 50 years on, at the OO Sports Lunch at Queen’s Club, London, in April along with fellow OOs Tony Mather (St A 69) and Charles Bennett-Baggs (St A 71). Back row (left to right): Martin Jenkins (Sc 70), David Gunner (Sc 69), Andy Lees (St A 69), Alastair Gordon (C 69), Jonathan Dickins (Sc 70). Front row: Chris Nicholls (G 69), Tony, Simon Constant (St A 69), Maurice Monk (Sc 69)
Everest, which took place at the time of the devastating earthquake in 2015. It was both a sobering and enthralling presentation, and guests were captivated by Jules’ story.
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