The Arthur Dunn Cup - ORFC take home the trophy!

The Old Reptonian Football Club (ORFC) recorded their 12th Arthur Dunn Cup triumph since the competition began in the 1902/03 season, making them the fourth most successful club behind Old Carthusians, Old Malvernians and Old Salopians.

It had been 31 years since we last lifted the cup (1991) and during this barren spell the club had been beaten finalists in 1993, 2002, 2012 and 2017. With a good balance of talented young players and experienced leaders, the squad was arguably the strongest it had been in the past decade, if not longer. Huge credit must go to Matt Carrington and Nigel Kew for their excellent work in creating such well-rounded footballers and encouraging them to push for a place in the squad.

Trips away to traditional “rugby schools” are never easy and it wasn’t until the second half that the ORs took control. This was a warning sign for the squad that any team we come up against will work hard, be physical and do whatever it takes to stop us playing with freedom. Luckily, the players stayed calm, and their quality shone through in the end.

Score: 5-2

Goalscorers: Alex Evans (N’04) x 2, Jack Bull (O’12), Jamie Slack (C’14), Artem Aliev (P’14)

Having played them already in the league, we knew what to expect from Old Berkhamsteadians; a physical side who looked to play on the counter with long balls over the top. However, with Tom Whitwell (P’16) (making an outstanding debut) and Bull at the heart of the defence, this was a tactic that was never going to work. After a tight first half, the ORs again took control after the break to win comfortably.

Score: 6-1

Goalscorers: Mike Watson (P’03), Tom Jones (S’17), Alex Evans (N’04), Jake Raine (C’15) x 2, Jack Bull (O’12)

We didn’t know much about our opposition, who sit a few leagues further down, and to make things harder it was a torrid day with Storm Eugene causing carnage. Though chances were missed a strong end to the game saw the ORs safely through.

Score: 3-1

Goalscorers: Josh Riley (P’11) x 2, Tom Jones (S’17)

This was the club’s sixth semi-final in eight years. Having lost one and won one against Old Chigwellians in the league this season, we knew this would be a tough game, particularly away in Essex with their boisterous fanbase. The slippy pitch made it hard for either team to build any momentum in the first 15 minutes, but a penalty save and then a late first-half goal turned the game in the ORs favour.

Score: 3-1

Goalscorers: Tom Buffin (S’14) x 2, Jake Raine (C’15)

Having watched the Old Etonians in their semi-final replay against (a very technically sound) Old Bradfieldian side with ORFC Chairman, Nick Walford (B’69), we were very confident that our typical style and game plan would work a treat. We knew they would offer a threat at set pieces (having scored from 5 corners in their first clash with Old Bradfieldians) but they were old, slow and technically miles behind our squad.

The final was the club’s 290th match in the Arthur Dunn Cup competition and the seventh time facing Old Etonians, of which we had only lost one - historical statistics courtesy of Ian Payne (L’55).

The game couldn’t have gone much more to plan. We pegged them back in the first 15 minutes with balls over the top, which in turn created space in between the lines for us to exploit. The first goal was a stunning pattern of play including Riley, Will Norcross (S’12) and Jones, before the ball fell to the feet of Buffin who cut inside and finished into the corner. His second goal came shortly after and was a tad less beautiful; a speculative shot that slipped under thekeeper. This two-goal lead gave the players a new lease of life, and the shackles were off. Norcross scored one of the best goals in final history as he played a neat one-two with Riley before dribbling from the halfway line past five Old Etonians and sitting the keeper down before flicking the ball over him.

The backline of Evans, Bull, Tommy Speed (P’14) and Fraser Lane (L’08) were dealing with everything thrown at them with ease, before kickstarting attack after attack as the second half saw more of the same, it was total football at its peak. Buffin bagged his hat-trick with a clever outside of the boot finish from distance as the keeper was in no man’s land and then his fourth, to make it 5-0, after Riley unselfishly squared it across the six-yard box. Grabbing four goals in any game is a huge achievement, let alone a final. Frustratingly (but something we can live with), there was no clean sheet today either. The Old Etonians finally showed a threat when breaking down the left and putting in a low cross to be turned in at the second attempt - very similarly to the goal that booked their spot in the final.

The introduction of Raine and Matty Bowman (S’17) gave us a boost and it didn’t take long for the former to get his name on the scoresheet, as he always does. It was a trademark header from an inviting cross by the trusty left wand of Evans. The scoring was finished, and a new Dunn Final record was set, when Norcross made it 7-1 with a powerful shot into the near post that bamboozled the keeper who had a day to forget.

The final was a very special day, not only because of the incredible performance on display, but the monumental support we received from everyone on the side of the pitch and from those who sent messages in advance; it is an occasion that will live long in the memory for everyone connected with the club and School. To top it all off, the honour of handing over the majestic trophy to the winning captain falls with the Chairman of the Arthur Dunn Cup, which just so happens to be Nick Walford (B’69), Chairman of the ORFC. It was a proud and fitting moment for Nick to pass the trophy to skipper Evans , as he has played a huge role in the club’s progression over the last few years through his unwavering support. Hopefully, this talented group can stay together and look to dominate the competition over the coming years.

Score: 7-1

Goalscorers: Tom Buffin (S’14) x 4, Will Norcross (S’12) x 2, Jake Raine (C’15)