Rhubarb 2019

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

65

Martyrs Reports

Rugby The Martyrs had a great day playing some excellent rugby at the RAF centenary 7s tournament. Their flair, physicality and pace led to them finishing second in their group having lost narrowly to the RAF Spitfires but beating Afghanistan comfortably. In the Plate competition a last-minute try from Captain for the day, Josh Moore, saw the Martyrs victorious in their match with the RAF Hurricanes 24-21. The second game against the Jungle Crows (India) was an intensely physical affair and the Martyrs were made to work hard for their two tries. It took a team effort in the final minutes to secure the 12-10 victory and win the Plate. My thanks to Peter Swainson for all his efforts in team recruitment and to the boys for making the effort. The following day an older generation of Martyrs took on the pride of London in the Rugby Rocks social 7s tournament at Richmond Rugby Club. They played an exciting and attractive brand of rugby sevens and, after some bruising encounters, found themselves in the Plate final which they won in true Martyrs style, running tries in for fun. Overall it was a cracking weekend for the Martyrs Rugby Club. Matt Holyland (C, 2004-2009)

M A R T Y R S

Martyrs ladies - Dean Close 6s Oct 2018

in our third match to secure a 2-1 victory over Bloxham. In the semi-final we defeated Pangbourne 2-1 with goals from Lettie and Grace. In the final against Cheltenham, Lettie scored again and at 1-1 we went to three minutes of sudden death, drew 0-0 and then it went to flicks: Cheltenham went first and scored;Teddies followed and Grace scored; Fran saved the second flick from Cheltenham; Lettie scored for Teddies; Cheltenham again - and Fran did an epic save mid-air with her leg pad. Teddies didn’t need their final flick – we had won the Tournament. What a result! We played some brilliant hockey. Lettie Cary was awarded Player of the Tournament. Gemma and Toulou hadn’t played since school but they were both fantastic and completely held their own. Special mention goes to our goalkeepers: Rachel Bellamy in the first game, Freya Berkin in games two and three, and Fran who went in goal for the semi-final and had a stormer helping us out again in the final. We had a great day out and strung together some really good hockey by passing the ball well and playing for each other. In terms of skills and as individual players we probably weren’t the best out there but we won by working as a team which is fantastic and why we come to these things. Happy days! Special thanks go to Philip Blanchard (A, 1977-1982) for the shirts and all the goodies! Next year’s date for the diary – Sunday 27th October. Let’s make it three in a row!! Grace Gilbert (née Robinson), (K, 2005- 2010)

Ladies’ Hockey Having won the Dean Close Sixes in 2017 we were under pressure to perform again in 2018. Somehow, we managed to scrape, beg and borrow eight players: Alicea Berkin (D, 2003-2008), Freya Berkin (D, 2007-2012), Gemma Berkin (D, 1997-2001), Lettie Cary (J, 2003-2008), Fran Jolley (D, 2004- 2009), Toulou Mbadjian (J, 2004-2008), Rachel Bellamy (MCR) and Grace Gilbert (née Robinson), (K, 2005-2010). The first two games against Rencombe and Cheltenham College were both 0-0 draws but Alicea and Lettie both scored

Martyrs Rugby June 2018