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The Trusty Servant salvage the team ’ s dignity . The OTs were bowled out for 111 in 32.3 overs . Sachak finished with three wickets , Bath three , Essex two and Escott two . I would be interested to know the last time the OTs were bowled out for such a low score in a competitive game at home .
Team : James Irvine-Fortescue ( c ), Sam Cheetham , Dan Escott , Ollie Mills , Sam McArthur , James Essex , James Burridge , Alex Sachak , Henry Portman , Elliot Bath , Ashley Hull .
OWFC
JS Gray ( I , 04-09 ) reports : The OWs returned from Lisbon with their unbeaten European record intact and relations with Portugal strengthened after two fine games of football and three days of merriment in the capital .
There were 13 brave men , led by club captain Peter Fuller and chef de mission Billy Fitton , who flew south from Luton resplendent in Soccer XI and OW ties , and the first fixture saw them pitted against Lisbon Casuals .
The Casuals bore in their ranks an eclectic mix of British expats and local Portuguese talent . The tourists did not lack for half-chances in the opening period but failed to capitalise and found themselves puffing hard in the heat at the break with the score still at 0-0 .
A typically rousing and concise teamtalk from Fuller had an immediate effect as the referee awarded a penalty for handball , which Alex Portz slotted with the aplomb to which we have all become accustomed from the talented Trantite .
However , the lead was short-lived . Keen to play the ball from the back , Tom Bouch gave the ball away in a dangerous area and the Casuals took their only clear-cut chance of the game to equalise .
The OWs were forced to settle for a draw in the baking afternoon sun and retire for beers with the exceptionally hospitable Casuals .
The side then made the trip to Estadio de Luz where , in an electric atmosphere ,
Benfica overcame a spirited Estoril Praia side 2-1 . The noise inside the stadium was something to behold and something few present will forget in a hurry .
After a free day of exploring in the sun , Monday saw the tourists take on a group of exprofessionals who now play regularly together in the over-35s league and whose current counterparts we had watched against Benfica two days previous .
And it was a touch of class that saw Estoril Veteranos slip through the defensive combination of Mercer and Bouch in a fashion that very few have managed this year and take the lead . Trailing at the break , the OWs resolved to exploit their advantage - youth and speed - to ensure that their unbeaten record was not lost and that they did not rack up a defeat they felt would have been undeserved ; Charlie Rowley stepped up and worked desperately to level the game .
Eventually , the persistence paid off and Court produced a smart finish off the post to make it 1-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining .
No winner could be found and a friendly penalty shootout saw OWs take the spoiler . Our opponents took us to a local restaurant , run by one of the players , for an enormous seafood paella accompanied by cold lagers and stories from the old days of Portuguese football . It was a perfect way to end the tour and , indeed , the season .
Those wishing to take part in tours , either of OWFC ’ s Saturday XIs or Tuesday-night Battersea training sessions
( top row ; l-r ) Teddy Golding , Alexander Portz , James Gray , Charlie Rowley , Charlie Court , Rupert Mercer , Ed Chesney
( bottom row ; l-r ) Tristan Wooton , Peter Elphick , Peter Fuller , Tom Bouch , Billy Fitton
should get in touch with Rupert Mercer on 07850 349 847 or find the club on Facebook . New members always welcome !
OWSC
We have had an eventful year . OW sailing started successfully with victory in the Belvidere trophy in early April . Our boat , helmed by Alastair Hall , was crewed by Tom Clementi , James Markby and Ed Knight . The final against Abingdon was won 2-1 .
Our regular Cowes weekend in May ( 6 / 7 ) for boys in the school and OWs with yachts was enjoyed by all and we were joined in Cowes by both Claire Webster , WSC secretary , and husband James ( both Co Ro ). The Cadogan family came in force with Henry ( G , 48-53 ) and Daphne , their son Edward ( F , 83 -88) and grandson Harry in his first year at Win Coll . They sail Aqualeo , an Oyster Heritage . David Anderson brought a chartered Army yacht , Fusilier , Brigadier Nick Nottingham ( father of Tom ) brought Spellbinder and Graham Stott brought Family Affair . Calum Sillars was race officer . Next year will be the tenth anniversary of the Cowes weekend and we will be trying to make it that much more special . It takes place 19 th / 20 th May , 2018 .
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