The First XV kicked off the season with a trip to Stamford. In torrential rain Stamford gained the upper hand scoring the first try before Will Richardson (S) crashed over the try line before half time to get Oundle back in the game. Following a successful Stamford penalty at the beginning of the second half, Oundle kept piling on the pressure on the opposition with Alex Efford (L) making some crucial turnovers at the lineout, but unfortunately it was to no avail and Stamford emerged victorious by a score of 10-5.
The U16B clashed horns against their rivals from Stamford in a match in which they set a superb example in showing how to defend under pressure. The team withstood a succession of strong attacks from the opposition, and tries from Finn Peyton (C) and Nathan Hoffman (G) ensured the result went in Oundle’s favour with a 10-0 triumph.
The girls hockey 1st XI spent their Saturday at a tournament in Canterbury. After a somewhat sluggish goaless draw against Framlingham, the team shifted up a few gears against the King’s School, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Frannie Aldridge (K) and Grace Easterbrook (Sn). After lunch, a match against Queenswood beckoned, and Oundle emerged victorious thanks to an accurate finish from Lily Craven (Sn) in the last five minutes. A semi-final clash against the King’s School proved to be a fiercely contested encounter, but goals from Izzy Myers and Ella Johnsrund (both Sn) secured Oundle’s place in the final for the sixth year running, where they faced familiar foes Framlingham.
Having lost to them in the final last year, the Oundelians were keen to set the record straight. Roisin Emmerson (D) did a great job at protecting the goal from the opposition’s notoriously pacey flicks, but unfortunately, a change of tactics allowed Framlingham to open the score. Despite relentless pressure, Oundle weren’t able to find an equaliser and the game finished 1-0. Whilst it was a disappointing end to the day there were many admirable performances, most notably Boo Baker-Munton (D) who played terrifically throughout the competition.
The 3rd XI also faced Framlingham on the same day, with a much more positive outcome. It took a few minutes for Oundle to gel as a team and get into the groove, but a clinical strike from Lilla Powell (D) was nothing less than the team deserved thanks to their superb link-up play. Thalia Garnett (D) doubled Oundle’s lead soon after halftime, and a devastating counter-attack soon after that underlined an emphatic 3-0 victory for Oundle. Not to be outdone though, the 4th XI stole the show on the hockey pitch, beating Framlingham 10-0. Credit should go to Jemima Bostrom (N) for her efficiency in front of goal, and to the outstanding Lucy Scott (K), running the game from the middle of the park.
The sailing team faced off against Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford in a round robin tournament. While evident rust could be seen in the first two matches against Uppingham and Stamford, the team seemed to have got their mojo back against Oakham, traditionally the strongest team of the quartet, winning dominantly with all three boats finishing ahead of their counterparts. Such a convincing victory shows that the club is very much heading in the right direction as the season begins.
Sam Herring (L)