The biting wind could have put people off coming to the Old Westbournian Hockey Festival. A good dose of Westbourne spirit and fleeting glances of the sun brought the community out in droves. The arrival of around about fifty-five players and a good hoard of supporters signaled the start of a very good afternoon’s hockey. Inspiration for team names came from our previous school heads and the the teams were evenly matched:
- The Hares
- Shilcock Storm
- The Sharmanators
- Rigby’s Raiders
- The Outlaws
- Morgan’s Marauders
The competition consisted of two pools, with the winner of each going to a final. In Pool 1. The Hares started timidly and found Shilcock Storm worthy adversaries. This was one of the most tightly contested games and it took a lot out of the players; even the spring chickens seemed to have ignored advice that pacing themselves might be the key to success. The Outlaws went on to beat an unlucky Shilcock Storm side which meant that the Hares v Outlaws game decided the table. The result Hares 2 Outlaws 0 meant that the Hares triumphed on top.
In Pool 2 there were goals aplenty; the three teams managed to rack up 21 goals and all games were close. The eventual winners, Morgan’s Marauders certainly had youth on their side and topped Pool 2 with most points. They were unbeaten in their two games. Their goal difference was +6 and the second place Sharmanators had +5 so it was a very close-run contest.
The final was an absolute stormer. Morgan’s Marauders v The Hares. It really was a game of hockey ping pong. At 3-3 Mr P was getting nervous. Not nervous about who was going to win, but how he was going to find a winner... golden goal, shuffles? Fortunately another goal went in, 4-3, a result was assured with a few minutes to go. However, it was sweaty palms again for Mr P as the next goal saw the two sides draw level once more. Surely not a draw … but no, in almost the final move of the game the winner was scored by Morgan's Marauders and we had a winning team. Mrs Morgan, I have been reliably informed, is very pleased and I’m sure this team will all end up in the “Special Book”!
This may reflect a certain cut and thrust of tournament hockey but the afternoon was more about cutting slices of cake and thrusting a beer into a team mate’s hand. The afternoon was strewn with good sportsmanship, bonhomie, and laughter. It was a joy to be playing together and sharing stories. Old friends, absent friends, and all drawn from the WHS community. Everybody played their part either playing, umpiring, organising or simply being there.
"Just wanted to say what a unique, special and fantastic event the OW hockey festival today was. Great format and great hospitality along with some great hockey."
Richard
The captains of each team awarded prizes for one or two players in their team who deserved recognition in some area and they were:
Morgan’s Marauders: Matt Baker and Daisy Timberlake
Rigby’s Raiders: Alex Langmead and Finn Beacham
The Hares: Freddie Gillett and George Baker
Shilcock Storm: Juliette Franks
The Sharmanators: Caitlin Wilmot
The Outlaws: Jack McIntyre
My player of the day was ………. the weather. Well done Morgan’s Marauders and see you all next year!
Mr Pitman
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for such a lovely afternoon on Sunday. Lottie and Alex both thoroughly enjoyed playing and for Lottie, catching up with mates. It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves and to see the old faces again. A big thank you too to Mr Geffen for the bbq, especially on such a freezing afternoon. Most of all it felt like we were finally back to ‘normal’ which was a complete joy!
Kate
