Rhubarb Issue 12: November 2023

O n the 5th of November 2022 the Martyrs played at home but quickly the memories of years gone by came flooding back.With a team drawn from more than a decade of the 1st XV, it’s fair to say we had a good combination of experience and skill. On top of that, three different brother pairings made for a great team atmosphere. Following a quick warm-up, a brief motivational talk from the Atkinson brothers, and an agreement on some basic tactics, we were off. Naturally, the game was a bit scratchy at times but after an early score from Uppingham, the Martyrs took full control. By the end of the second half, we had not only run away with the game but were putting on quite a show, notably a dazzling finish by Luke Brennan! All in all, it was a great day for the Club followed by a very enjoyable social in Oxford. It highlighted the possibilities of old boys' rugby and our fingers are crossed for more days like this back on Upper 1. MARTYRSv s OLD UPPINGHAMIANS 5th November 2022 headed back to the hallowed pitch of Upper 1. It had been many years since the Martyrs had

MARTYRS

Players: Chris Asembo (Kendall, 2008-2013),Alex Knott (Kendall, 2008-2013), Ben Topping (Tilly’s, 2017-2022),Tom Niblett (Apsley, 2017-2022), Harry Woodall (Tilly’s, 2013-2018), Henry Emmott (Kendall, 2013-2018), Hakon Nicholas (Kendall, 2017-2022),Tom Strathdee (Sing’s, 2011-2014),Will Hayes (Sing’s, 2011-2016),Tom Letch (Cowell’s, 2010-2014), Matt Holyland (Field House, 2004-2009), Hamish Atkinson (Field House, 2006-2011), Luke Brennan (Field House, 2004-2009), Charlie Keen (Field House, 2015-2020),Thomas Lotter (Field House, 2010-2015), Gus Knott (Kendall, 2010-2015), Harry Keen (Field House, 2009-2014),Andrew D’Alton (Kendall, 2010-2015),Will Kelley (Cowell’s, 2013-2018), Joe Cairns (Sing’s, 2017-2022), Josh Moore (Cowell’s, 2014-2019),Andrew Rush (Kendall, 2017-2022), Dekoye Coker (Cowell’s, 2013-2018), Fergus Flory (Field House, 2014-2019),Toby MacLachlan (Field House, 2014-2019)

Report by Gus Knott (Kendall, 2010-2015)

MARTYRS 7 s v s OXFORD HARLEQUINS 13th May 2023

A fter a last-minute scramble to get a team together, the OSE Martyrs arrived at Oxford Harlequins 7s tournament in full(ish) force ready for an action-packed day. However, the early start – a 10am kick off - caught us on the hop, and we came out second best to Millfield Old Boys in our first game. A match against the Oxford Barbarians was to follow, and with the

cavalry called in in the form of Will James, the Martyrs put on a much better performance, but again narrowly fell short. Millfield and Oxford Barbarians would ultimately go on to fight it out in the Cup Final.

Harry and Charlie Keen (Field House, 2009-2014 and 2015-2020)

With two losses to our name, and two games to go in our group, the Martyrs needed to turn things around and that’s exactly what we did, with comprehensive wins over the Booby Buckets and Tom Varndell’s Oxford Brookes team. It was onto the Plate Final, where ironically, we were drawn against the Booby Buckets again! Another ‘W’ followed, with notable performances from Charlie Keen, Ben Topping and Andrew D’Alton.

Players: Arthur Friend (SES Staff),Andrew D’Alton (Kendall, 2010-2015) ,Charlie Keen (Field House, 2015-2020),Will James (Cowell’s, 2016-2020), Euan Friend (SES Staff), Harry Keen (Field House, 2009-2014), Ben Topping (Tilly’s, 2017-2022).

The plate was lifted – some would say it was a stroke of genius losing the first two games to avoid the cup draw!

Report by Harry Keen (Field House, 2009-2014)

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