Last week saw the return of the Old Bloxhamist rugby and hockey fixtures with an enjoyable and memorable day had by all.
Under glorious blue skies, Bloxham’s All Saints’ Tide 2022 got off to a wonderful start with a Eucharist Service in Chapel. Led by Father Alex, Old Bloxhamists and their families enjoyed a meaningful time of prayers and reflection in Chapel. Special attention was paid to the recently dedicated cross of Harry Ayres. Harry was employed at the school before the war and enlisted, aged 17, in August 1914. He was wounded at Ypres and died of his wounds in Norfolk War Hospital on 7 July 1915. He is buried in Bloxham churchyard.
The 200 Club, arranged by Chairman Ian Charles (Wf 70-75), enjoyed a delicious lunch and catching up with one another.
The spotlight then shone on Old Bloxhamist sport for the remainder of the day. First to kick off was Old Bloxhamist Rugby, making a triumphant return after a 15-year absence with a game between the OBs and Banbury. The fixture was made possible because of the hard work of Matt Goode at Banbury Rugby Club and Alex Stevenson (‘Pickle’) (Sy 04-08), who assembled a powerful squad of OBs young and old, including the evergreen Will Deeley (Ry 83-88) from the 1988 1st XV and his son Stan (Sy 17-22), last year’s 1st XV captain. With strong representation from the 2008 generation (Chris Grayston (Wn 05-09), Jason Warren (Eg 04-09), Dougie Westwood (Wn 05-09) and Walter Hudson-Evans (Sy 04-09) and the cup-winning 2018 team, including captain Toby Staveley Parker (LS/ Cr 11-19), Harri Barnden (SH 17-19) and Henry Hopkins (LS/Eg 11-19), as well as a Premiership winner in the shape of Tom Stephenson, (Sy 07-10) it was not surprising that the Old Bloxhamist XV proved too strong for their spirited opponents.
It was wonderful to see a good crowd for an entertaining game played in a great spirit and fitting that the OBs’ side contained such familiar Bloxham names as Fellingham, Gurney, Deeley and Sawbridge, with Jack Sawbridge (Cr 06-08) being awarded ‘Players’ Player’ for the OBs and Harrison Foster for Banbury.
Our thanks go to all the players and spectators, to Matt Goode who refereed the fixture, and above all to Alex Stevenson, who did a wonderful job of organisation, as well as supplying smart new shirts for the Old Bloxhamists. He even provided commentary on his megaphone throughout the game.
Following the first half of the rugby, the ladies’ hockey between the School’s 1st XI and the Old Bloxhamist Ladies’ XI got underway at The Dewey with a large crowd of parents, staff and students gathered to cheer on both sides.
OB Captain Annie Cowperthwaite (Ry 20-22) had assembled a powerful side, with Lyndsey White (Wf 09-16) and Mae Welch (Ry 07-14) providing the skills and experience and Lottie Rymer (Ry 16-21) and Emily Cavender (Wf 15-20) the keenness of youth, while Muqaddas Ahmed (Mn 19-21) was a dominating presence in goal.
It was a fast-paced game with end-to-end excitement and a huge number of attempts on goal. At half time, OBs had set the pace and were leading 2-0. A slightly shorter second half saw OB dominance continue and they scored three more goals. The School side clawed back one goal – a brilliant piece of play from Martha S. As the final whistle blew the score was 5-1 to the Old Bloxhamists.
Following the match, Old Bloxhamist Mae was awarded “Players’ Player” by the School team while goalkeeper Emma B, who was outstanding in goal for the School, received the award from the OBs.
Bloxham 1st XI captain Elspeth B admitted that her team found the strength and pace of the Old Bloxhamist team intimidating but felt that the girls had played well and that the experience had been a valuable one.
It was especially great to see record numbers of supporters both at the rugby and the hockey – many familiar faces who had not been back to Bloxham in a few years, some to play and others to cheer on the sides.
At the end of the day, with a packed Dewey studio, Old Bloxhamist Resident Secretary Simon Batten led a presentation giving thanks to all the teams, the players, the umpires, the catering team, first aid support and everyone else involved in the day. Awards were given and cheers of support were echoed as the day came to an end. Players and supporters enjoyed catching up with friends old and new, before carrying on the victorious celebrations in The Elephant & Castle, well into the evening.
To see photos from the event, please click here.