Great Scot September 2019 Great Scot 157_September 2019_ONLINE | Page 88

OSCA OSCA Collegians OSCA COLLEGIANS GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MCG Members of the OSCA Collegians club and their partners enjoyed a behind-the- scenes visit to the MCG on 6 May, ably led by Geoff McCracken (’65), who is a volunteer MCG tour guide – and himself an OSCA Collegians member. The group went into the cricketers’ viewing area, down to the indoor nets, into the change-rooms (one of which was still festooned with Geelong Cats promotional material after the weekend’s match against the Bombers), up to the lofty heights of level four for a great view of the ground, and then on through the Long Room to the Committee Room, where the group enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, looking out onto the sunny expanse of the great ground. Geoff McCracken was a genial and knowledgeable tour guide, fully displaying his considerable knowledge of and love for the MCG, and spicing his spiel with plenty of MCG-related anecdotes. OSCA Collegians is an OSCA affiliated club, formed in 2014 to support OSCA itself. OSCA Collegians believes that a strong OSCA means a strong Scotch College. For more information, please contact the club’s Secretary, John Jeffreys (0417 007 007). JOHN JEFFREYS ('69) 86 Great Scot Number 157 – September 2019 Cricket A NEW SEASON OF HOPE AND EXPECTATION FOR CRICKET CLUB The 2019/20 cricket season was just around the corner at the time of writing, and Old Scotch Cricket Club was preparing for what we hope will be another year of excitement and success for the club. With both the 1st and 2nd XIs qualifying for finals last season – although falling short of going all the way – there was much to be proud of and plenty to build on for the upcoming season. There were many highlights to look back on, with several exciting new players joining the club and five players selected in the MCC Club XI Team of the Season across both divisions. One notable departure from the club has been our former club President and star batsman, Tim Hosking (‘99), who has moved to Darwin. We thank him for his great service to the club, and wish him every success in the Top End. The upcoming season for our club promises to be another one filled with on-field success and plenty of off-field action. Preseason has commenced this month, and the club is on the lookout for new players to get on board. Cricketers of all experience and talent levels are warmly encouraged to join our great club. Get in touch with us via Facebook or email at [email protected] for more information. SAM SHEARER – CAPTAIN-COACH, OLD SCOTCH CRICKET CLUB Rugby LEFT TO RIGHT: RICK BOYKETT (‘81), JUSTIN BOWN (‘88), STEVE HOLT, DARCY BOWN (YEAR 4), DUNCAN FRASER-SMITH (‘83), ANDY BOYKETT (‘12), DAVID ALEXANDER (‘81), PAUL TORCELLO AND ANDERS TORCELLO (‘12). FATHERS AND SONS ENJOY A GALA RUGBY EVENT Old Scotch Rugby Club hosted its inaugural Father-Son Touch 7s Gala on 18 August on the Rugby Oval at Scotch in typical rugby weather. The constant rain and wet conditions made for a slippery ball but the players adapted superbly, playing a fast running game with plenty of switch passes and dummy runs. Justin Bown (‘88) won the award for most bombed tries after dropping the ball for the fifth time with the try line open. The boys played two energetic halves of touch rugby, led by former Scotch 1st XV players Anders Torcello and Andy Boykett (both ‘12), and were still smiling at the end. Darcy Bown (Year 4) scored the winning try. All players shared a welcome barbecue and hot drinks after the match, and the only claimed injury was Duncan Fraser-Smith’s (‘83) hamstring, which responded well to frozen peas and a few good stories. The annual Old Scotch rugby program aims to reconnect former team-mates through their love of the game. To register your interest in attending club events, please contact Rick Boykett (‘81): [email protected]. BEV KNOWLES – OLD SCOTCH RUGBY CLUB