It ’ s time for Boxing Day Rugby !
OP SPORT
OP HOCKEY AND NETBALL 2023
A fantastic morning of sport took place on Sunday 26 March 2023 for the annual Old Pocklingtonians hockey and netball matches against the School .
With a full contingent of OP teams taking part , the event produced some excellent matches which were both entertaining and competitive .
Now in its third year , the netball proved to be a popular event with the OPs fielding a full side with two reserves . The OPs got off to a strong start , but the school kept pace and by half-time were edging it . Despite an OP surge in the third quarter , scores were not forthcoming for the OPs . The School on the other hand piled on the pressure ; their experience playing together as a team was telling and they soon found their rhythm , dominating play to secure a healthy win over the OPs with the final score at 31-18 .
Next up was OP hockey with an impressive lineup of both OP men and women to take on the school sides . Both matches were hard fought with some superb passages of play which were exciting to watch for the spectators on the side-lines . In the end , in a reversal of fortunes from last year , the School won the ladies match 6-2 ( last year OP ladies won 8-2 ), and the OPs won the men ’ s match 2-4 ( last year OP men lost 6-2 ).
Huge thanks go to the umpires and supporters who gave up their time to help run the event . They were : David Byas ( Current staff , Hockey ), Martin Davies ( Current staff , Hockey ), Peter Horne ( Former staff , 82-18 , Hockey ), Richard Bond ( Former staff , 93-21 , Hockey ), Lucy Hornby ( Current staff and OP 02- 04 , Netball and Hockey ), Beth Rees ( Current staff , Netball )
A big thank you also to everyone who came to play and please do come again next year . The provisional date for next year ’ s event is Sunday 17 March 2024 !
OP NETBALL TEAM 2023 : Annabel Atkinson ( 14-21 ), Izzy Brosenitz ( 17- 21 ), Hayley Harrison ( 08-15 ), Evie Hirst ( 13-20 ), Rebecca Mann ( 10-17 ), Jess McDowell ( 15-22 ), Ruby Remblance ( 10-22 ), Yasmin Remblance ( 02- 15 ), Lottie Simpson ( 13-15 ), Amelia Watson ( 20-22 )
OP LADIES ’ HOCKEY TEAM 2023 : Saffy Adams ( 09-19 ), Millie Barnes ( 09-18 ), Grace Beckett ( 12-21 ), Ellie Broadbent ( 15-22 ), Bella Byass ( 08-20 ), Immy Croston ( 09-19 ), Millie Goode ( 17- 19 ), Evie Hirst ( 13-20 ), Hannah Hornshaw ( 15-22 ), Laura Horne ( 01-08 ), Ellie Stephenson ( 06-14 ), Lily Walster ( 10-21 )
OP MEN ’ S HOCKEY TEAM 2023 : Dylan Barton ( 14-22 ), Callum Braidwood ( Current staff ), Ben Byas ( 08-15 ), Harry Chacksfield ( 15-22 ), Marcus Chacksfield ( 14-20 ), Aaron Clements ( 14- 22 ), Tom Dyson 915-22 ), James Harrison ( 11-18 ), Ollie Kettle ( 14-21 ), Samuel Moore ( 89-00 ), Michael Smith ( 09-20 )
OP TEAM COMPETES IN THE 63RD JOHN SMITHS POCK 7S
A full squad of 12 OP players , formed from recent leavers and a merger between Old Pocklingtonians and OP Dragons played as the Old Pocklingtonians team in this year ’ s Pock 7s on 7 April 2023 .
In the preliminary round , the OPs were drawn against Old Peterites ’ team , York Wild Turkeys , with the match taking place centre stage on the front pitch straight after the opening match between hosts Pocklington and the Pilgrims . After a strong start by the OPs , the opposition pulled way in the second half to take the win , 12-36 , relegating the OPs to the Plate competition .
After their early start , a hiatus followed for the OPs as they waited for the Plate draw at 3.00pm . Their next match was confirmed at 3.40pm against local side , Goole . Unfortunately for the OPs , Goole , having played together more regularly , proved to be the stronger team in a one-sided game that saw the OPs go out of the competition 0-29 . A saving grace was that Goole were the eventual winners of the Plate competition in an all-East Yorkshire Goole versus Driffield finale , with Goole edging it 24-16 .
In the main competition , after nine hours of nonstop rugby , it came down to an all north-east final between Cleveland Cougars and Barnard Castle Old Boys , also dubbed Martin ’ s Minions . It was endto-end in the early stages , but Cleveland pulled away late on to lift the trophy by 24-10 .
In the women ’ s 7s tournament , which was played earlier in the day , eight teams competed for the Amy Hardy Cup . University team Manchester Metrodogs came from behind in the final against local side
Bishop Burton College to lift the trophy 10-5 .
A good day was had by all with the OP team enjoying the rugby and lots of socialising ! Thank you to all who played and hopefully see you back next year !
OLD POCKLINGTONIANS TEAM 2023 : Rob Boddy ( 08-19 ), Jonty Goddard ( 11-19 ), Henry Green ( 10-22 ), Joe Holbrough ( 98-04 ), Joe Laudage ( 04-15 ), Ben Maycock ( 14-21 ), Danny Prescott ( 09-22 ), Danny Ratcliffe ( 12-21 ), Henry Rodmell ( 16-23 ), Louis Sangwin ( 13-20 ), Oliver Scutt ( 09-15 ), Jack Woodhead ( 13-20 ).
It ’ s time for Boxing Day Rugby !
OPs V POCKLINGTON
At Pocklington RUFC , Percy Road From 12 noon for a 1pm kick off
Playing for the Bottomley Trophy Bar open , all welcome !
( Players please contact the OP office )
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