OC SPORTS

BY RORY TAYLOR (2003-2014) - OC 1ST XI CAPTAIN

Back Row: Tom Fellowes, Ryan Farrant, William Sibley, Joffe Bradley, Daniel Whitehead, Matthew Rutherford, Rory Taylor (c), Joseph Chappell, Jack Good, Ed Sibley (cc) Front Row: Joshua Banfield, Matt Koczan, Max Salador, Ben Alexander, Liam Farrant, Nadim Kala, Russell Goldstein, William Taylor

The season began strongly with 19 goals, 4 wins and a draw in the first 5 games. Wins in the first round fixtures of the AFA and Arthur

Dunn cups followed. And, although momentum was lost following back to back losses in the league, inspirational rallying by Edward Sibley (in his final year as OC Club Captain), soon restored the balance with the team winning 10 out of our next 11 games scoring an average of 4 goals per game.

In the Arthur Dunn Cup, the second round delivered a cracking 4-3 away win over premier division side Old Alleynians. Seven goals, two red cards and some muscular tackling made for a season-highlight match which was followed up by another away win at Old Salopians of Shrewsbury where a 5-star strike from schoolboy Jordan Erratt led to victory and a semi-final spot against a strong Repton side. Sadly, at that point, things began to unravel and defeats against promotion chasing rival sides in the league meant a drop in the table. In the semi-final of the Arthur Dunn, the team began strongly, going 1-0 up inside the first 15 minutes but then conceded two quick goals which, after Repton added a late 3rd goal, ended the run in the competition.

The high of chasing a double in what could have been Chigwell 1st XI’s best season in a while, turned to disappointment and was hard to take especially as late season defeats meant a thirdplace finish, not quite enough for promotion.

That said, disappointment at a third-place finish and a cup semi-final shows commitment and ambition and, on behalf of the entire OC club, we must give a massive thank you to Edward Sibley for his efforts this season and his tenure as Club Captain.

BY ANTHONY KOCZAN (2006-2011)

Back Row (L-R): Will Taylor, Alex Titmarsh, Chris Kay, Matt Rutherford, Josh Coppeard, Tom Standen, Jordan Grace, Sonal Ohrie Front Row (L-R): Nad Kala, Anthony Koczan, George Stroud, Ali Taylor, Jack Kelly

Despite two covid-disrupted seasons, an exciting preseason restored feelings of normality. Although many clubs saw player numbers drop, we gladly kept our usual force through preseason, keeping and building our core team from past years.

Our season started with Old Sennockians home match. We lost 3-1 despite strong performances and plenty learnt from the game.

Our lads performed fantastically against Old Allyenians II’s – a strong team ultimately ending up 3rd – and walked away with 2.0 win. The season was up and running.

Our biggest test and season highlight happened against Eton. They travelled confidently across London after starting with two wins and +23 goal difference (yes, after two games!). Seasoned Chigs Nad Kala, Will Taylor, and club captain Ed Sibley ensured everyone knew their jobs. Sticking to the game plan, they performed one of the best matches I’ve seen for a long-time keeping Eton’s fierce attack relatively quiet while creating plenty of chances. Final score was a deserved 3.2 win rounding up the day with a well-earned squad social.

Seasonal ebbs and flows had mixed results with a loss to Brentwood II’s on penalties in JLC second round. Fantastic effort let us finish 4th in league thanks to 4 wins and 2 draws in final 6 games, including, remarkably, 5-4 wins both home and away against Charterhouse II’s (a team who walked this league for many many years).

3-3 draw at home to Harrow ended the season. This was the final game for Josh Coppeard as 2nd XI captain and Ed Sibley as club captain. I’d like to personally thank them for the unbelievable amount of work they’ve done behind the scenes these last two years. They will be missed!

Rory Taylor will be club captain, and Tom Standen and me are joint 2nd XI captains. I am excited to work alongside them both and can’t wait to see 2nd XI’s next chapter!

BY MICHAEL RUTHERFORD (1966-1976) - OCGS CAPTAIN

Halford Hewitt team 2022 Sam Pinching, Sam Oxley, Charlie Biss, Mark Flack, Alan Carpenter, Richard Gull, Daniel Goddard, Jon Bint, James Houghton (Capt) & Buster Oxley

Ifind myself writing this mid-term, with so much of the year still to look forward to. Under James Houghton’s captaincy we once again produced a great effort at the Halford Hewitt, going down 2-3 to a very good St. Bee’s team in exceptionally windy conditions.

The past captains at Royal Worlington were well attended and played in glorious sunshine. The singles in the morning were won by Ashley Whitby with 38 points. As some may know the current captain cannot win a prize in the morning singles but I was delighted to come in with the ever-reliable Buster Oxley in the afternoon foursomes.

So far, our scheduled friendly matches have not materialised, which is a great shame. This is because of the oppositions inability to raise a team. Let’s hope next year will be better supported.

Mike Woods rallied the troops for a serious tilt at Essex Public Schools GS. We lost painfully by a point to the old enemy, Forest. Well played to them! However, on a more positive note, we excelled in the Grafton Morrish winning our group with 95 points. The finals will be played at the beginning of October at Brancaster where we will face Stamford in the opening round.

As this goes to press, we look forward to the captain’s day and the Autumn meeting, both in September, and of course yuletide where we hope we will be joined by the new headmaster.

Captains’ day took place at Chigwell on 7th September with Gerald Coleman as the day’s worthy winner.

The following week, Old Chigs convened at Deal for the Autumn meeting. Royal Cinque Ports GC provided its usual test whilst club’s hospitality was as good as ever.

Other notable victories for David Oxley in President’s Cup, Stuart Harding in Scratch competition with the best overall performance - the Veterans Jug, going to Neill Ballard.

Finally, as always, a special thank you to Miles Taylor, our secretary, for all his hard work over the years. We are all very grateful to him!

BY VANESSA JAMES NÉE BARNES (1989-1991)

On Saturday 5th March 2022 several OCs gathered to play netball against the school. It was a great morning with some fantastic netball played. Unfortunately, the school were unable to put out their strongest teams due to mocks, but all who played had fun, nonetheless. In the end, the 1st VII lost 19-24.

Further excitement ensued with a thrilling 2nd team match ending with a 13-12 final score.

The matches were followed by a delicious tea courtesy of Chigwell School’s caterers, Chartwells. It was a lovely occasion and something to build on in the future. OCs wish to continue this momentum with other netball and hockey competitions. Please contact the Department of Philanthropy to learn more.

BY HOWARD BERNDES (1967-1974)

South West Essex Men’s Doubles League Division 4 fixtures resumed normal format with 8 local teams competing home and away, with 3 pairs playing 4 sets 2 against 2 opposing pairs. That dropped to 7 teams with Theydon Bois sadly withdrawing. Only 3 teams played all 12 matches, affecting all the final team positions.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed competing against familiar old foes with tea and refreshments.

Holidays, cancellations, illness, and injuries affected final league standing despite a versatile squad including OC dads (Mike Bond and Jon Benjamin); OC sons and friends; and Shak Chaudhary, a teacher continuing Dave Morrison and Kevin Farrant’s honorary OC tradition.

A loss against Epping (captained by OC Andrew Larkin) started the season followed by a win over old adversaries Friary, and a crushing defeat by Walthamstow.

Connaught matches carried added spice since captain Ross Berndes’s son, Matthew, captains and plays Connaught B team. A healthy crowd of OC’s, wives and girlfriends watched; Will Taylor and Max Berndes boosted play, resulting in a 13-13 draw. We lost against Epping and Friary before winning against Whitehall on the year’s hottest day. The season finished losing against eventual champions Connaught ‘B’.

Thanks to Ross Berndes, affectionately known as El Captain, for providing fabulous refreshments, organising the team, and his legendary WhatsApp match report summary of outstanding ‘champagne moments’. More thanks to Ross’s refurbishment of two courtside tables memorialising Jim Tribe and Bob Kilby, 2 club greats no longer with us.

We are blessed with excellent facilities and Chigwell’s invaluable grounds and clubhouse maintenance contribution. This League formed as an arena for competitive tennis in South West Essex and is open to all clubs affiliated to LTA.