Versa: Issue One

19
THE OA
FOOTBALL CLUB
returns
by Nick Jackson (OA 2005)
After several years of dormancy, OA Football has returned
and in a big way. After dipping their toes in a few competitive
Old Boys games earlier this year in a cup run that saw them
reach the quarter finals of The David Willcott Trophy. The
Old Albanian Football Club have now begun their crusade for
league silverware as they embark on their 2017/18 campaign
in Division Five of the Arthurian League.
The Arthurian League, an English association football league
for teams of independent school alumni, has existed since
1961 and currently consists of 57 teams representing 36
separate clubs. Driven by former students Alex Addison (OA
2005) and Nick Jackson (OA 2005), St Albans School is now
being represented by its alumni with a vision to field both
Second and Third XIs in future years.
The Club, featuring exclusively Old Albanians from the School,
has been proactive with their recruitment drive, leading to
talent being represented across decades of Old Boys.
‘’I felt a warm welcome joining and despite age differences,
the St Albans School unity that has been bred into all of us
still holds strong no matter of current careers or stages of life’’
– Bryn Edwards, OAFC member.
With an ever growing talent pool available, it is an excellent
opportunity to reconnect with old friends and establish new
ones through competitive sport. For all those interested in
finding out more or to receive the latest Club match reports
and latest updates please email oldalbaniansfc@gmail.com
The Old Albanian Football Club are currently first in Division
Five of the Arthurian League.
Latest Results:
POS P W D L F A GD PTS
1 Old Albanians 8 4 2 2 18 18 0 14
2 Old Columbans 5 4 1 0 21 5 16 13
3 Old Brentwoods III 5 3 1 1 18 10 8 10
4 Old Brentwoods II 6 2 4 0 17 9 8 10
5 Old Cholmeleians II 5 1 1 3 11 14 -3 4
6 Old Foresters III 6 1 1 4 9 17 -8 4
7 Old Chigwellians III 7 0 2 5 8 29 -21 2
SAINTS FAIL
to fire
by Kate Barnes
Hampstead has always been a tough away fixture and the
match on 8th October was no different. We are slightly
feared in this League due to our strong reputation.
Hampstead had no reservations that beating us was the
only option by any means necessary!
Saints spent the first 20 minutes pinning Hampstead
in their own 22. The question was; who would score
first? To the Saints’ dismay, the home side prevailed. 5–0
Hampstead. Saints upped a gear, creating some good link
play between forwards and backs. Robertson crossed the
line and converted her own efforts, 7-5 Saints half-time.
The second half began at a fierce pace, until Saints lost
front-rower Cook to a broken fibula, causing a reshuffle,
leading to a loss in focus. Suddenly Saints started to chase
the game, making some uncharacteristic errors. The home
side capitalised on this scoring further tries to finish the
game 22-7 victors.
Two weeks later, Saints are taking on Lewes. An unknown
entity to the League and the team had no intention of
underestimating the newly promoted side.
Saints score the first try through rapid winger McKenna,
extras by Robertson, 7-0 Saints. It didn’t take long for
Lewes to respond, firing back after some slick hands,
producing a score 7-5 Saints. Both sides were producing
attacking rugby and strong defence, Saints had a player
in the bin but put on another score as King raced over
converted by Robertson, followed by another to make it
19-5 Saints. Just on half-time Lewes snatched a converted
score, 19-12 Saints.
Concentration after the break lapsed and Lewes scored
within five minutes to level. Players started to feel the
weight of extra work and Lewes scored another try and
conversion to lead 26-19. Knowing the end of the match
was approaching, Saints found some energy to score again
through McKenna, 26-24 Lewes. Despite several attempts,
Saints found no way through and were held up twice
over the line. The home side eventually cleared their line,
finding themselves in the Saints’ 22. Fast hands and using
the overlap, they scored in the corner. Final score 31-24.
Head Coach Brown said; “To come away with a bonus
point was a credit to the players. Given the personnel
changes, injuries being carried and positional switches,
I could not ask for more from each player. A couple of
better decisions could have swung the result, but that’s
history now”.