A busy Old Bloxhamist Day opened with the OB Society’s Annual General Meeting in the Egerton Library and an excellent lunch for the members of the 200 Club. Attention then shifted to the Fives Courts where five Old Bloxhamists contested the OBs tournament. This was ultimately won by Charlie Gulliver, who beat Jonny Stirrup in a high-quality final. He and Charlie Tredwell then beat Oli Haynes and Sam Manning in a doubles match which brought back memories of the 1st IV of 2014.
A great afternoon of netball with OBs from the last 8 years returning to catch up with old friends and staff. We talked about the netball tours to South Africa, hours spent in the gym on a Monday afternoon, netball mascots of old, and all admired the new shiny scoreboard in the Dewey! A really well-contested game ended 29 – 23 to School. Sadie Towell proved she had not lost any of her shooting prowess, earning herself POM from the School team. At the other end, Zoe B was also on target for the school and was awarded POM from the Old Bloxhamists.
Finally, the school’s 1st XI hockey side took on an Old Bloxhamist Men’s XI which included three of last year’s leavers as well as players from the last two decades of Bloxham hockey. The OBs, who could call on a current member of staff in Lyndsey White, proved too strong in the end, running out 4-1 winners, but the game was a
very competitive one. Steve O’Connor was awarded Players’ Player by the school XI while his opposite number Will L-J was adjudged Players’ Player by the OBs.
We are very grateful to all those coaches, officials and players who enabled the fixtures to happen, and above all to Sophie Tredwell, Olivia Finch, Sam Manning and Steve O’Connor for organising the Old Bloxhamist teams. As in the past, the hockey fixture was played in memory of Paddy Kellett (Wn 05-10), and it was great to see members of the Kellett family and their friends among a sizeable crowd. Above all, it was wonderful to be able to welcome people back to the school following the long hiatus imposed by COVID.
For photos from the matches, please click here
