The Bursar: turning visions into reality - Radley College

Lusimus . THE RADLEY NEWSLETTER
Galleons’ Day – 50 years on
Galleons’ Day 2008 dawned
grey, cold and wet, suitably
reminiscent of Folkestone at
its worst, yet also at its best.
Memories of those halcyon days
flood back: victories celebrated,
defeats nobly borne, deeds of
valour untold, the Beach, the
strains of Alouette deep into the
night. Cut back to the present.
Fortunately for much of the day
the rain held off; hypothermia
was the real danger. However,
the stalwart band of spectators,
wives, girlfriends, parents and
friends were at least able to take
refuge in the wonderful New
Pavilion.
Of the fifteen Galleons carded,
thirteen arrived in good time
with only one missed flight
and one injury. Perhaps even
more surprisingly two further
Galleons appeared unexpectedly
to swell the ranks and allow for
judicious and much-needed
substitutions. The college 1st
XI had lost only one match
during the term and with a
strong Galleons team taking to
the field a good match was in
prospect. And so it proved to
be. The spectators were treated
to one of the finest Galleons’
games that your correspondent
can remember. A young, fit and
skilful boys’ team faced ORs
who made up for any lack of
fitness with skill and experience.
In a closely fought contest in
which brother squared up to
brother, maturity confronted
inexperience and nascent
embonpoint faced youthful
physique, the old heads won
the day with a 2-1 victory. A
new generation of heroes was
born that day. Ashworth, the
left-handed wizard, scored both
goals, even if deserted by pace
these days. Barker P. bestrode
the midfield like a latterday
Colossus and only marginally
more mobile following the
previous evening’s celebrations.
Duffell and Campbell still so
swift and deadly led the younger
brigade. And in front of the last
line of defence, the redoubtable
Crisp in goal, Sewell, the old
retainer at the back, whose
motto goes back to Verdun and
who will score his first goal for
the Galleons in the afternoon.
One may single out these few yet
all fifteen played their part.
Following the match,
spectators and players repaired
to the New Pavilion for a
champagne reception. On
behalf of the College Charlie
Barker welcomed all present,
particularly those original
Galleons who were able to
attend, John Fuller-Sessions,
Tom Morkill and Blair Sessions.
Unfortunately Michael Wigley
to whom the Galleon epithet
was originally applied was
abroad but the various myths
about where the name came
from were finally put to rest. On
Monday June 25th 1956 a report
on the 1st XI cricket match
between Radley and Bradfield
appeared in The Times. In the
second innings Radley only
needed 99 runs to win, surely
an easy road to victory. Yet
that too was a dark day. As the
dying minutes ticked away, a
final lbw appeal was upheld and,
according to the staff reporter,
Wigley, of Radley, made his way
back to the pavilion like some
stately galleon condemned to
dry dock. Our predecessors had
scored only 73 runs. Following a
few words, John Fuller-Sessions
was good enough to award
the Wyld Cup for the most
improved player of the year to
Henry Carr. The entire Davies
family were also present and
kindly donated a trophy for the
player of the year, which Tom
Davies presented to the Captain
of the College XI, Charlie
Wood. After a brief word from
Graham King, Director of
Hockey, all transferred to Hall
for the now legendary roast beef
lunch.
With a second game between
the Galleons and CRB’s boys’
and dons’ team looming in the
afternoon, sabotage was the
name of the game and every
attempt was made to render the
might of the Galleons impotent.
The half-time score, 4 -1 to the
Galleons suggested that this
stratagem had failed, but the
second half proved otherwise
as the home team came
through strongly to lead 5 – 4.
One final valiant effort by the
ORs resulted in a magnificent
5 – 5 draw. There could have
been no better way to end a
most entertaining day and to
celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the Radley Galleons.
Galleons: Bill Ashworth, Charlie
Barker, Paul Barker, Ollie
Campbell, James Crisp,
Simon Dalrymple, David
Dancy, Charlie Davies, Tom
Davies, Charlie Duffell, George
Foxall, Will Goodwin, Andy
Sewell, Nick Stoop, Paul
Weatherby.
Withdrawn: Rupert Barker.
Pulled up: Rupert Lowe
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