OP SPORT
OP BOXING DAY RUGBY 2024
Boxing Day rugby thriller in the mist
The 2024‘ Town v Gown’ Boxing Day tradition lived up to its billing with a competitive encounter.
The big festive crowd that came from near and far, including a clutch back home from abroad, was treated to an entertaining game on a mild and misty afternoon at Percy Road. The occasion is all about Christmas camaraderie, with former schoolmates on both sides, but the commitment and rivalry were evident from the off. Old Pocklingtonians struck first to open the scoring with an early Tom Sowersby( 05-12) penalty. Pocklington’ s set piece advantage then put them in the driving seat, with No 8 Matty Downes blasting over on the quarter hour, and Harry Matthews( 15-20) adding the extras.
The OPs were on the back foot but suddenly broke out of their own half through Jonty Goddard’ s
( 11-19) deft chip with Sam May( 12-19) winning the race for the touchdown. Pocklington resumed the offensive, going wide for Freddie Peel to dive in on the left; then Will Barrett’ s long run down the opposite flank saw him cross for a 17-8 interval lead.
The OPs grabbed the initiative as play resumed, offloading left for Billy Higgins( 98-07) to tiptoe along the touchline and squeeze in at the flag. It was end-to-end stuff as the unstoppable Downes charged over for his second try; then guest OP prop Dan Elvidge battered and stretched to the line to cut the deficit back to one score at 24-18, the OP conversion coming back off the bar.
Pocklington took over again with Kelby McClaren plunging in from close range; then pulled away as Archie Wilcock surged clear from deep, Matthews supporting to scamper over and convert.
But it was the OPs that finished the stronger. Their pressure gaining a series of penalties and halfback
Danny Prescott( 09-22) took a quick tap to dot down, Sowersby drop-kicking the conversion. And the OPs promptly recovered the restart to send Danny Ratcliffe( 12-21) dashing to the corner before referee Iain Hallam’ s final whistle brought matters to a close and the game concluded 38-30 to Pocklington Town.
PRUFC President, Paul Rhodes( 74-83), handed over the Bottomley Trophy to Pocklington Captain, Will Sayer( 08-15); then presented Matty Downes with the game’ s new Man of the Match Cup in memory of Pocklington RUFC and Pocklington School legend, Tim Clappison( 59- 69) – a leading light of the Boxing Day game for many years.
Thank you to all OPs who played or supported and for Pocklington RUFC for hosting another excellent rugby event.
( Report by Phil Gilbank( 67-74), photos, with permission, by Phil Gilbank, Andy Nelson and Patrick Dare)
OP HOCKEY AND NETBALL 2025
After flash floods led to last year’ s fixtures being called off at the last minute, this year’ s event was highly anticipated! With teams warmed up and ready, and spectators gathered both court- and pitch-side, the rain that had been forecast held off for what turned out to be an action-packed morning of sport. The event featured some excellent matches including an historic first win for the OP Netball team since the fixture’ s inception in 2019.
The OPs got off to a strong start in the first quarter of the Netball, leading comfortably at half-time. With both strength and depth in the team, the OPs maintained their momentum even as the school found their stride during the third and final quarters piling on the pressure. Despite the School’ s increased efforts to make a comeback, the OPs were unrelenting, securing a convincing 40-27 victory over their hosts at the final whistle. OP Captain, Lydia Pike( 95-02) said,“ It was a really enjoyable and competitive match; for OPs to get our first win was an extra bonus!”
In the Hockey, the men’ s team featured a strong core of 2024 leavers, supported by other recent leavers from 2015 to 2022. Two former teammates
22 from the 2000 leavers’ cohort, Mark Robson( 93- 00) and Sam Moore( 89-00), completed the men’ s lineup. Both still active in club hockey for Driffield and York respectively, they had faced each other as opponents the day before. Now, 25 years after playing for the School’ s 1st XI together, they found themselves reunited on the OP team.
Although players were thin on the ground this year for the OP ladies’ team, the side packed a punch. Former 1st XI Captains Jessica Pidgeon( 05- 16) and Grace Beckett( 12-21) were joined by Charlotte Evison( 16-23) in goal, Olivia Martin( 99-08) in midfield, and Evie Hirst( 13-20) in attack. Graduate sports assistants Lauren Wood and
Alexa Knott, along with a handful of players on loan from the School, completed the team.
Both matches were hard-fought with some determined passages of play. In the men’ s match, the players’ experience and physicality showed, with the OPs dominating against a determined School side. Although the School tried to stay within striking distance, the OPs stretched their lead to win the match 5-2. Ben Byas( 08-15) commented:“ The School team played really well, but we managed to stay ahead in the end; it was a brilliant game to be a part of.”
Meanwhile, in the ladies’ match, it was neck and neck throughout in a tense and fast-paced encounter, which saw the School XI edging ahead by one goal to clinch a narrow 6-5 win. Evie Hirst( 13-20) commented:“ It was a tough match; we pushed hard, but the School team played brilliantly to get the win. It was a lot of fun and always a pleasure to come back and play against the School.”
Following the matches, OPs, staff, families and friends, gathered in the cricket pavilion for refreshments and a long overdue catch up to round off an excellent morning. OP President, Charlie Lambert( 01-08) remarked:“ It’ s always wonderful to see everyone come together for these events; the sense of