In Memoriam
Memories of Old Leysians and members of our Leysian community who we have lost are published in OL News and on the website.
More InformationOLs vs 1st team Netball 2025 match report
Returning from the Christmas holidays, the girls utilised their preseason training to begin preparing for the competitive fixtures to come. Following on from a successful netball season last year, our connections remained strong with one another and we quickly found our feet as a team. This led to a strong but contested win against the OL side who came out stronger than we had initially expected due to our convincing win the year before. The match was sociable with an underlying competitive nature between some of the girls, and highlighted our fluidity and capability as a netball side. The strength of our rotating circle and our defensive set ups showed confidence and composure leading us to take the win 38-18.
By Maddie Anthony, Fen 2014-19; Resident Games Coach
Back row L-R: Eve A; Polina F; Sofia Biggs, Bisseker/Granta 2017-22; Florence Turner, Dale 2018-23; Alex Bullen, Fen 2019-22; Olivia Bullen, Fen 2016-21; Hermi Rodgers, Bisseker/Granta 2017-22; Lucy Stephen, Barrett/Granta 2017-22; Emma Ball, Moulton/Fen 2015-22; Georgia Dudley, Barrett/Granta 2017-22; Bea Routledge, Moulton/Bisseker 2016-23; Freya H; Izzy Woods, Barrett 2018-23. Front row L-R: Issy F; Emma P; Florence C; Ella C; Charlotte C; Nina J
Old Leysian Cricket Club report
2024 proved to be one of our most challenging seasons yet, with the higher standard of cricket and difficulties around player availability in the first few weeks seeing OLCC off to a shaky start with some heavy early defeats. As we approached the end of May, and with the arrival of the sunshine, both our fortunes and our availability issues improved immeasurably, and we were able to string together a number of impressive victories, inching our way back up the league table. We finished the season having played 18, winning 8, drawing 2 and losing 7, to finish 9th out of 12. Andrew Bramley topped the run scoring, with 612 runs at 55.64, and was well supported by consistent contributions from Tom Cox, Andrew Gale and Richard Bramley. The bowling was led by our St Lucian overseas player Clem St. Rose, who finished with 26 wickets and bowled very quickly all season. Clem was backed up by Andrew Bramley, with 20 wickets, and Joe Gunn-Roberts and Gus Barraclough with 19 and 18 wickets respectively.
The club is always looking for new players to join our ranks, and we can offer regular cricket of a good standard, played at The Leys throughout the summer. To join the club, please contact James Houlder at [email protected].
James did us proud in Paris!
Congratulations to James Albery, West 2009-14, who not only qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and was selected for the GB men’s team – he also scored their winning goal against host nation France, securing a place in the quarter finals. Although the team didn’t make it into the semis, we couldn’t be be more proud of James: in the hockey world the Olympics are the pinnacle of competition, and it was wonderful to see him following in the footsteps of fellow OL Olympians Neil White (London, 1948) and Paul Svehlik (Munich, 1972).
Old Leysian Golfing Society
2024 was a big year for the OLGS, with the Halford Hewitt Centenary. This included a rematch of the original game in 1924 between The Leys and Harrow, where Harrow were the victors.
Halford Hewitt 9-14 April
On the Wednesday evening Centenary celebrations commenced with a champagne cocktail party at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. During the tournament all 64 school flags were in place outside the clubhouse and adjacent car park.
On the Friday we played Malvern in our first round, Malvern proving worthy winners. Tom continued his successive wins of 18 matches, an amazing record. We were pleased to welcome Henry Blunt partnering Liam McKeown, now back from Australia.
Next, in the Princes Plate, we narrowly lost to Aldenham on the 18th green in the first round.
The team: A G T Petrie & D W McClean; T L Williams and C A Holden; S D Cooper & A R J Smethers; C C B Turner & R J Bentley; L J McKeown & H C Blunt
In the Halford Hewitt final, Eton beat Bedford. In the Princes Plate final, Forest beat Epsom.
The OLGS team
Back Row, L-R: D W McClean, F 74-79 T L Williams, W 93-96, H C Blunt, W 12-17, L J McKeown, W 08-13, R J Bentley, B 92-97, N K Dendy, A 83-87, C A Holden, A 85-90, A G T Petrie, B 74-77, S D Cooper, A 93-98, A R J Smethers, A 00-05, C C B Turner, W 80-84
Front Row, L-R: C M Kidman, Fen 68-68, N S Washbourn, W 51-55, T D Page, F 66-71, P M Hockin, A 62-67, P A Quin, Fen 76-81
Spring Meeting, 16 May at Royal Worlington & Newmarket Golf Club
We were made very welcome and enjoyed our day’s golf with some good scores in the morning. The weather was disappointing and due to some flooded greens, the afternoon golf was cancelled.
Ted Morel Trophy (Medal)
M A Elliott, 83-11, 72 Nett
T D Page, 82-8, 74 Nett
C M Kidman, 89-15, 74 Nett
Neil White Trophy
R J Chapman 34 P
Halford Hewitt Centenary match v Harrow, 29 May, St. George’s Hill Golf Club
This was a rematch for the first Halford Hewitt in 1924. Club President Jeremy Lowe, who ran the Halford Hewitt for 22 years, arranged the highly successful day. David Page gave a very fitting speech after lunch and Jamie Warman of Harrow and President of The Halford Hewitt replied. Richard Norris, who is preparing the Centenary book, also joined us. Each school was presented with a framed memento of the two teams.
In the match, we won 3 ½ to 1 ½. In 1924 Harrow won 4-1 so we have improved over the hundred years!
The team: T L Williams & C A Holden; S D Cooper & A R J Smethers; T D Page & C E Newlove; A G T Petrie & N K Dendy; R J Chapman & G A Macalpine
The Centenary teams
Senior Bernard Darwin, over 65s, Woking Golf Club 11-12 June
In the first round we played Harrow, starting at the 15th hole. Harrow were strong and we lost the two vital matches three holes from home. Our third pair played well and were ahead when they took a half.
The team: S J Pattinson & N R Mackay; T D Page & J S Edwards; C M Kidman & R J Chapman
In the final, Malvern beat Tonbridge.
Bernard Darwin, over 55, Woking Golf Club 4-5 July
In the first round we played Wellington and enjoyed a convincing win. We were pleased to welcome newcomer Nick Dendy. In the second round we played Tonbridge who, as always, had a strong side and we lost a few holes from home.
The Team:- T D Page & N K Dandy; A C I Cox & J S Edwards; C C B Turner & A G T Petrie
In the final, Charterhouse beat Tonbridge.
Fixtures 2025
Supporters are always welcome, as are new members. Players wishing to join the Golfing Society should contact Nick Dendy.
Old Leysian Tag Rugby Report 2023-24
After another successful Summer playing on the hallowed turf of Hyde Park, the Old Leysian Tag Rugby team made the brave decision to commit to the Tag Superleague running from September to December 2023. This was not an easy decision since it is the best league in the country, with the majority of teams hosting a plethora of GB tag talent. After a shaky start to the season where the squad struggled with learning ‘international’ tag rules and faced frosty conditions, they achieved a respectable number of wins and weathered some hard fought losses.
The squad are now in full rehab before getting ready for the next summer season in Hyde Park. The team continues to host a number of Old Leysians stalwarts such as Dante O’Reilly, Dan Sellers, Dougie Turner, Mark and Jonny Horsford, but they continue to look for more Old Leysians to join the team – please contact team Captain Jonny Horsford or Doug Turner if interested.
Old Leysian Real Tennis
OLRTC Tournament
The annual Old Leysian real tennis doubles tournament was held in Newmarket on Saturday 25 November 2023. Competitive, skilful and evenly matched tennis was played throughout. Congratulations to the eventual winners, Mark Elliott, Fen 1977–82 and Jack Elliott, West 2010–15: the first father and son OLRTC champions!
If you would like to be involved in future OLRTC matches and tournaments, or would just like to know more about the game, please do not hesitate to contact team captain Joel Humphrey. All Old Leysians are extremely welcome.
