No. 124
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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