2024 OB Sport Weekend
22 March 2024
The annual OB Sport Weekend which took place in March, was a huge success this year, with more than 85 members of the Blundell's community returning to either compete in the matches against pupils or support those that played. Included in the weekend was the usual boys’ and girls’ hockey, football, target rifle shooting with the addition of touch rugby v parents, which was much enjoyed. Fives took place in April due to a clash with the National finals and soon we hope to include girls’ football within the programme. For those who were unable to make this weekend of sport, please do consider coming next year, it was such fun and a wonderful way for all to get together, catch up and reminisce, with the addition of some excellent complimentary food prepared by the catering department and locally sourced drinks from the Beale Centre bar. Some members of the Blundell's community hadn't been back or even played the sport they participated in for years! Janet (OB Club Secretary) even managed to celebrate her 60th birthday that day, as the photos demonstrate! Please do let Janet know if you would like to be involved next year and we would particularly like to hear from ladies as it is the 50th anniversary of girls at Blundells in 2025!The comments below from the community say it all!“Just a quick message to say, thank you very much for organising - it was great to play at Blundell’s again and see some familiar faces with both students and teachers!” “It has been a real joy moving back to Blundell's & living close by ….We will support the OB club as always and help to grow it with your team....onwards and upwards ?? !”“Thanks again for organising yet another great weekend!! Marvelous”Magpie Shooting Report:‘The following Magpies of Tim Courtney (OH 1954-59), Peter Ward (FH 1959-54), Alex Brooke (nee Brownlow GH 1981-83), Jess Lampard (GH 1981-83), Morwenna Morrison nee Pugsley NC 1985-87), Anna Crosse (NC 1996-2003), Toby Peyton-Jones (OH 2016-21) and Mark Wooff (M 1977-82) gathered at the 25m range and were hosted by Barry Dawe. The school had shot in the morning and Barry kept their scores a guarded secret but on the day, some fine scores in particular by Alex, Jess and Toby contributed to a win by the Magpies of 394 to the schools 376. Following the presentation of trophies by Tim and Peter, we all retired to the Beale Centre for a splendid afternoon tea and catch up. Huge thanks to Barry for once again accommodating us and for all he does with his team to encourage and coach shooting at the school.’ Mark Wooff OB Shooting CaptainGirls’ Hockey “For the first time in several years, after dusting off cobwebs from a few sticks, we managed to assemble a full OB squad back onto the Blundell’s hockey pitch. It was a superb effort from the OB’s having never played together. A lovely collegiate evening of hockey with a lot of laughter and team spirit. We may have lost score wise, but there’s always next year….! “The final score for the football - was 2-0 to the OBs. The touch rugby group had a good run around and ultimately the OBs won!OB’S FIVES MATCH REPORT VERSUS SCHOOL 20 APRIL 2024This year’s OB’s Fives Annual Match was played on a lovely sunny April afternoon, with players on court for 1pm as planned and finished at 4pm in the Squash court area with a social drink of tea/coffee and Catherine’s wonderful cakes.Angus, Captain of School Fives, had a mixed Squad of 7 players and the OB’s equalled that over the course of the afternoon. It was decided to initially have the usual Competitive Doubles games to warm us all up and for OB’s to ensure no injuries! Both teams did mix up the partnerships, again to add to the Social feel of the event. In between the doubles some of the more energetic players chose to have a game of singles. After a great deal of energy expended the total points for all the games played produced a victory to the OB’s team, winning by 31 points. After the tension of competitive play we decided to mix partners between School and OB’ players for a more fun session to finish the afternoon, and most of us off physically. The refreshments were certainly well earned by all players.Special mention should go to School pair, Jemima and Natalia who won their opening first two matches, they did lose to Catherine Rackham and Harry narrowly in their final match, however, this was a great warm up for the trip to Oundle School on Sunday 21 April where Jemima became the first Blundell’s School Fives player to win the prestigious U18’s National Girls Singles Championship, after which with Natalia they went on to win the U18’s Doubles Championship, being Year 12 they have the opportunity to repeat this next year, no pressure!! History made and a proud moment for Fives at Blundell’s and School’s best ever Season of Fives at the National School Championships. The next challenge is to repeat the OB’s National Championship win of Alexandra Steel and Maddy Raynor, wonderful history.Wayne Enstone.