CLOSE COMPETITION
OV sportsmen and women timed their return to Warminster perfectly, fitting in fixtures between two weekends of arctic weather, to compete against the current generation of Warminster teams.
We were delighted to welcome over sixty Old Verlucians who competed in two netball and three hockey matches, expanding on last year’s matches.
The commitment of many to play was apparent. Furthest travelled for the second successive year was Tom Davenport OV08, who is based in the UAE. Tom was able to combine OV sport with a business trip! Credit must also go the German OVs Florian Hoffman, Shaline Motiramani, and Thilo and Tim Johannes all OV10 who caught the 7am flight from Hamburg to be part of the event. The quality of their performances was little affected by their early departure.
The common theme of all of the five fixtures was close competition played in a fantastic spirit. Quotes of the day belonged to the OV ladies netball players who clearly feeling the strain of competition commented that “the court looks very big” and “that was the longest 8 minutes of my life”.
The School won the day overall winning the Curtis Cup in netball and the McQueen Cup in the Ist XI mens’ hockey fixture. Consolation for the Old Verlucians was achieved after victory was secured in the Frost Cup for ladies1st XI hockey. These were all excellent matches with the rising standard of the School’s performances in both sports clearly evident.
Over eighty sportsmen, both pupils, staff and OVs then enjoyed a splendid dinner in the TA Hall provided by our wonderful catering team led by Alex Rall. Thanks must also go to OV captains Will Hams and Zoe Symes, both OV10 for organising their teams.
This event is fast becoming a real favourite in the OV and School sporting calendar.
Graeme McQueen, Head of Development & Alumni
To see all photographs captured on the day – Flickr Album