Versa: Issue Three

20
OA Sports
21
Four hours is the
average time
taken for a four
ball round of golf, plus
an additional hour for
preparation, practise,
administration and
scoreboard verification.
The weather, therefore, is
JOHN COX
always a major factor in
the undertaking of fixtures
and matches. In common with the farming community, there
always appears to be a problem or reason for golfers to consider
the climatic conditions as not being quite appropriate for one’s
particular game, akin to the farmers’ harvesting excuses.
The OAs have enjoyed some happy occasions this year
commencing with the Spring Meeting at Sandy Lodge. A
draw for partners, and a three-ball stableford event won by
Mike Crowston (OA 1966), Tony Walters and Peter Dredge in
a close finish with Pete Redford (OA 1963), Tony Clarke (OA
1961) and Brian Bysouth.
Our first match versus Mid-Herts GC ended in a tie with OAs
retaining the trophy, having won the corresponding match in
2017. Our winning pairs being Graham Tate (OA 1960) and
Kevin O’Donoghue (OA 1959), and John Curtis (OA 1957)
and John Cash (OA 1963).
The main competition is for the OA Cup and this year we
were pleased to hold the event at the prestigious Gog Magog
golf course, Cambridge, courtesy of our esteemed former
Captain John Smith. On an exceptionally hot afternoon, the
victor was John Cox (OA 1974) with 38 stableford points
from a five handicap. Good performances from the runnersup
Rod Allsopp (OA 1969), Brian Hyrden-Smith and Mike
Thorp (OA 1955). The winner of the Dockree Tankard, for
the Antelope competition, was Tony Walters with an excellent
round, scoring 36 points.
This victory was the third in a row for John Cox following
previous successes at Sandy Lodge and Berkhamsted – John
now has nine OA Cup wins since his first success in 1975– a
magnificent performance and one which called for some
research on previous results and records. It can be disclosed
that Maurice Wiggs (OA 1929) (also an OA cricketing legend)
won the OA Cup in 1962, 63, 64 and 65 – a four timer, so
John has a target for next year. Maurice also won the trophy
in 1952 and 1954.
OA CUP HAT-TRICK
for John Cox
OA Golf Club
by Peter Dredge (OA 1961)
The first winner of the OA Cup in 1932 was Ronnie George (a
former Governor of the School) also winning it in 1967 – an
impressive span of thirty-five years!
The OAGS suffered an unexpected reverse in the match
against Old Berkhamstedians. Probably the unseasonably
hot weather affected our ageing players although, thankfully,
medical assistance not required. The Aldwickbury Park GC
looked after us very well with excellent food and rations. No
excuses for the defeat as the course was in good condition
so, in a way, it was good to see the Old Berks in an excellent
mood and relieved to learn, subsequently, they all arrived
home safe and sound.
There was an excellent turn-out for Graham Tate’s Captains
Day at Dunstable Downs on 19 July. Weather warm and dry,
course and conditions favourable and Graham ensured that the
hospitality afforded us was first class. The individual stableford
competition for both the Captain’s Prize and for the Pop Rush
trophy was won with a magnificent forty-one points by Tony
Walters. Mike Lamprell (OA 1960), Brian Hayden-Smith and
Mike Crowston (OA 1966) featured in the subsequent places.
A great performance by Tony who has played top-class golf all
season and now qualifies for an OAGS handicap reduction!
At the time of writing, we have forthcoming matches versus
Haberdashers and Highgate, a 3-day trip to Lakeside Lodge
and the competition for the Briggs Goblets. OAs of all
handicaps are most welcome to attend any of our events.
Please find contact details on page 2.
TRAWLING
All Over the Plaice
OA Fishing Club by Geoff Cannon (OA 1945)
The OA Fishing Club members are all getting older so
we don’t organise Club trips anymore. However, we
do continue with small groups who fish on convenient
dates. We also fish the Verulam Fishing Club local water
as individual members. Our President, Brian Ward (OA
1950), passed away in the summer and will be sorely
missed. He had been an active member of the club since
its formation. Obituary on page 16.
This summer, small groups have fished in Ireland, the
Derbyshire Wye, the Herefordshire Wye and the Norfolk
Boards. We would welcome any prospective members.
Please contact me using the details on page 2.
DAVID &
GOLIATH
Play to the Whistle
OA Football Club
by Nick Jackson (OA 2005)
Whilst to the veteran Versa reader this may be
old news, the Old Albanians, consisting solely
of St Albans School alumni, are now playing
regular 11-a-side football and are firmly rooted in the
Arthurian League.
The breadth within the members of the squad ranges
from ‘veteran’ to some so fresh you can still hear the faint
whispers of A-Level celebrations. However, after narrowly
missing promotion during the 2017/18 season, the Old
Albanian scouts have been working tirelessly to inject
new blood to build on an impressive first season, with the
squad being put to an early test during the annual ‘OAs vs
OAs’ pre-season tournament.
Hertfordshire’s amateur equivalent of the Inter-Toto Cup
sees the Old Albanians pitted against multiple teams from
local rivals Aldenham. On paper, Old Aldenhamians, who
play their football in the dizzy heights of divisions 2 and 3
and have been within Arthurian circulation for nearing two
decades, were very much the giants in this David & Goliath
tussle. However, as is often the case from the Woollams’
faithful, where there is a will there is an OA way…with the
A’s marching to an astonishing tournament victory and
righting wrongs from the previous year’s fixture.
Whilst the team at Amazon Prime may not be covering the
OA’s successes just yet, with new players seamlessly slotting
in and with other newcomers on the cusp of debuts, the
Club and all within are looking bright as we work towards
the opening game of the season at Woollams.
For those looking to support, join or keep up-to-date with
progress throughout the season please feel free to get in
touch at oldalbaniansfc@gmail.com.
OA SQUAD NURSING WAR WOUNDS FOLLOWING A GRUELLING
PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT AGAINST OLD ALDENHAIMS
ARNOLD CUP
in Our Sights
OA Rifle Club
by Andrew Wilkie (OA 1965)
What a summer for outdoor shooting. When I wrote in spring,
we were poised awaiting the last round results for the Herts
Winter Rifle League, Division 2. I’m pleased to report that
the OAs won by a single point. However, the divisional shoot
off where each divisional winner shoots against their season’s
average, went pear shaped and we came last. I could say that
having peaked at the end of the season we failed to maintain
momentum. In truth, none of the team shot particularly well.
It was also apparent that the winter averages had changed
significantly. The net result was that each member of the team
ended the season with a straight average around ninety-five
point something. Our success over the winter promoted us to
Division 1 for the summer where we are currently lying last.
Little doubt our history in Division 1 will be a brief one but at
least we got there.
Due to the temporary closure of the School range, a number
of OAs have decanted to local shooting clubs. It was at East
Barnet Club that I spotted Priscilla Simmons had come second
in the 2017-18 Jubilee Shield Competition. Yours truly managed
second in the Veterans Competition, where by a good margin,
I was successful in meeting the entry criteria – old age! The
School featured prominently in the Winter Special Competitions
having no less than fifteen entrants. Anna Pathmanathan (OA
2018) won The Winter Handicap Competition, The LE Killick
Cup, The Cheshunt Rifle League Cup and The Colonel Metcalf
Cup. Members of St Albans School took all but one of the
trophies/medals in the Winter Handicap and the Championship.
I can imagine Major LG Walker and Regimental Sergeant
Major Sam Kilpatrick grinning from ear to ear at the news.
Congratulations to all. Thank heavens they’re too young for the
Veterans Competition!
In April, we were parachuted unprepared into the full-bore
season with the Short Q Match. Scores held up pretty well
considering and we ended up fourth with a team total of 371.29.
The winners were Old Framlinghams with 382.38. The match
against the Old Lawrentians followed – one we regularly lose
because we are up against international shots. They think of it as
a warm up to the Short Q season opener. This year it followed
the Short Q and for the first time anyone can remember, we
won! 388.45 to 386.37. The Long Q Match followed. The good
news – we ended up second at 1000yds, the bad news – overall,
we were fifth.
The Coles Trophy shoot took place at the Vauxhall small-bore
range in Luton – we won 400.324 to 400.235. Our season
finale will be against the Old Alleynians for the Arnold Cup.
Can we win the Arnold Cup for the 33rd time? All will be
revealed in the Spring…