Rhubarb 2017

50 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

Autumn Meeting – Huntercombe GC

Tennis Rep, Simon Talbot-Williams (A, 1974-1979) stepped into the breach. On a cold January Sunday morning Charlie Harris (G, 2006-2011) and STW travelled to the fantastic Peter Luck-Hille Real Tennis Court at Middlesex University. First on court, we would need a fast start, we didn’t get it, as the Eton pair were late so rather than default them, we offered to play the next pair, the Dickensons from Taunton School. This was our first mistake of the day, they were “hot” in all respects and brushed us aside in quick fashion. By this time Eton had arrived, so we stayed on court and performed better in the second match with Charlie finding his range with beautiful returns of serve. In our final and crucial rubber against the Bishops from Marlborough we needed to draw or win to get through to the final stages. It was very close with our handicap difference requiring us to win twice the number of points per game. The match ended 5-5, and we were through (or so we thought….)! As we walked to the net I commiserated with the elder Bishop “always hate draws, your handicap means you should be leading in the last game so very unfortunate”. As we moved off court a cry came from the match marker “I forgot the timer, in fact the match should have ended with Marlborough 5-4 ahead”. My instinctive response was “prescience, the marker is always correct and called the match a draw, but let’s play the last game anyway, much more satisfactory!” Not surprisingly, the Bishops took a while to be moved from their sofa, but after much discussion the Corinthian spirit was contagious and we returned to the court and proceeded to lose the last game! Charlie H vowed never to play again but I think we can persuade him…! For the record Rugby won the competition and as Richard Bray and Oliver Buckley were heard to say “pleased we didn’t have to play that Charlie Harris, he strikes the ball beautifully”! SimonTalbot-Williams (A, 1974-1979) Real Tennis Representative All the various Martyrs clubs are always looking for more players, so whether you’re playing regularly or haven’t picked up a stick, racket, oar, bat or club in years, please do get in touch with the relevant Club Rep directly or via the OSE Office ( martyrs@ stedwardsoxford.org ), as they would be delighted to hear from you!

There was a near record turnout, with 25 OSE and four guests, as the Martyrs returned to Huntercombe for the first time in over 20 years. In beautiful late Autumn weather, the competition was fierce and the scoring very good, but once all the scores were counted it was David Leadbitter who won the Latham Bowl for the best gross stableford score, scoring 38 points (playing off 12), while Tim Smart won the Kitchen Quaich (awarded to the best net stableford score) with 37 points (playing off 5). We were delighted to welcome Society debutant Anthony Marten (E, 1960-65), as well as a number of OSE who, for various reasons, hadn’t attended a meeting for a number of years, including Chris Stevenson (A, 1952- 1957), David Cannon (G, 1969-73), Ed Craven-Smith (B, 1984-89), Jonny Lawes (H, 1984-89), DuncanWethey (E, 1985-90) and BenWay (F, 1990-95). Huntercombe was incredibly good value and I hope we can break the 30 attendee barrier when we return in 2017 on Tuesday 24th October. Peter Neal (K, 1993-1998) Golf Representative

M A R T Y R S

Robin Ellis tees off the 2nd at Huntercombe

beautifully to secure his maiden Society victory and win the Gaudy Cup, with 37 points (playing off 18), from contemporary David Leadbitter (H, 1995-2000) who scored an excellent 36 points (playing off 16). In the afternoon Foursomes, David did manage to get his hands on some silverware winning the Walliker Salvers with playing partner and Society debutant, Charles Searle (F, 1968-1973), with 32 points from Robin Ellis and Charlie Baggs with 30 points. We were delighted to welcome debutant Charles Searle and hope that with the Summer Meeting being pushed back to mid-June (Thursday 22 June), whilst also being combined with the traditional fixture against the School, will result in a greater turnout in 2017! An excellent day’s golf was enjoyed by over 18 OSE in this increasingly popular event. A hot and dry June and early July provided near perfect conditions and thanks to RWGC members Mike Palau (B, 1959-1964) and Robin Catlin (A, 1973-1978), the golf was also very affordable! The indomitable Robin Ellis was once again too good for the rest of us, winning with 37 points (playing off 5), with a brilliant up and down from the deep bunker to the right of the 16th green to save par and a 35 footer for birdie on the 17th, helping him to pip playing partner Pete Neal , who scored 36 points (also playing off 5), by just a single point! Royal Wimbledon is a beautiful course and exceptionally accessible for those OSE living and/or working in London. Certainly worth an afternoon off work when we return this year on Thursday 13th July! London Meeting – Royal Wimbledon GC

Autumn Meeting winners Tim Smart and David Leadbitter

Real Tennis Cattermull Cup 2017

After our top pair of Charlies, Harris and Harries-Jones, had done so well in 2016 we were hoping they could represent the Martyrs again in 2017. However, with CHJ diligently preparing for his accountancy exams, we turned to the rest of the squad. For one reason or another Matt Alden and Ellie Harris were unavailable so your Real