OL Sports Round Up

OL Fives

As the 2022–23 Fives season draws to a close it is worth revisiting some of the achievements of OL Fives players, who, as ever, punch above their weight against alumni clubs of much bigger scale and schools where Fives is close to – or is – a major sport.

Ashley Lumbard (Manor 2002–2007) was nominated as an Eton Fives Association (EFA) Player of the Year. This is how the EFA described her season:

‘A strong finish to the season has shown that Ashley is beginning to get back to her best form having returned from maternity leave. Her performance in the Ladies final, where she and Emily Scoones ran Karen Hird and Charlotta Cooley very close and in the Mixed, where she reached the semifinals with husband Chris, suggest there is even more to come next year.’

Alex Abrahams (Head’s 2011–2014) is now ranked 22nd in the country with 42 ranking points by the EFA. Tom Betts (Head’s 2004–2009) is ranked 30th nationally with 30 ranking points. To have two players in the top 30 is a brilliant achievement for the OLs, especially for Tom and Alex, who have worked tirelessly on their games over the last few years.

Other OLs compete and do well in local and national tournaments such as the Richard Bourne Trophy at Charterhouse along with the Kinnaird Cup and the Legends Tournament at Aldenham.

The EFA continues to be brilliantly led by Richard Black (Second’s 1961–1966); the EFA is the governing body of Eton Fives and it administers, promotes and preserves the game. Richard devotes an enormous amount of time to the EFA and Fives and his ability to get people to do stuff is amazing; an example to us all.

The photograph below shows several generations of the Steele family, who all attended Lancing and who all continue to play Fives (left to right): Brian Steele (Sanderson’s 1951–1956), Michael Steele (Field’s 1981–1986, Henry Steele (Head’s 2012–2017) and Jethro Steele (a current Third Form pupil).

The Tuesday night club still plays regularly at the College so if you would like a game please contact Matthew Beard by phone (07946 113368) or email: matthew.beardsehls1962@gmail.com

Lobfc

The Lancing Old Boys 1st XI finished the 2022–23 season with a hard fought 2-1 win against Old Rugbeians. The result highlighted what the LOBFC is capable of despite the obstacles presented in front of us.

What has been so great to see throughout the 2022–23 campaign was the significant number of talented and youthful footballers who made their debuts for the Club. This bodes well for the future as the LOBFC prepares to return to its former glories.

OL Golf Society

Back row from left to right: Simon Wright, Ryan Maskell, George Holman, Chris Pettie and Ross Gilbert.

Front row from left to right: Harry Brünjes, Jack Cheesman, Ralph Brünjes, Eric Brünjes and Rufus Dennis.

The OLGS Autumn Meeting will take place at West Sussex Golf Club on Wednesday 27 September 2023 – please contact organiser Charles MacKendrick at: charlie@mackendrick.plus.com

The season begins again in September and we hope to have had some pre-season football on 8 July. If you are keen to get involved at any point or would like to know more about LOBFC, please send me an email at 13tudballf@gmail.com

Frankie Tudball (School 2013–2018)

OL Tennis

What a fantastic day was had by all on Founder’s Day – the College vs OLs. All six courts were used and the College even had excess players. Thanks goes to Siobhan Airey for organising such a good turnout. Pimm’s and a big lunch laid on by the Catering Team made it a slow start for the OLs, but they triumphed by beating the College 12 matches to six. The standard of tennis was good and Lancing has a strong tennis team once again. In my view, the best thing about the day is how the pupils here are so friendly and welcoming. I am glad to see the tradition of just being ‘nice’ continues.

Pictured on the left is me, Richard Blackburn with Paul Finnett (Sanderson’s 1978–1983) on Founder’s Day 2023.

Richard Blackburn (Field’s 1989–1994)