Obituaries
Obituaries for Old Leysians and members of our Leysian community are published in OL News and on the website below.
More InformationCongratulations 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).
2024 has been 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.
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.
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
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.
M A Elliott, 83-11, 72 Nett
T D Page, 82-8, 74 Nett
C M Kidman, 89-15, 74 Nett
R J Chapman 34 P
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
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.
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.
1 June Alba Trophy (Scratch Tournament) Woking
4 June Putting Tournament (Provisional) 1700 Royal Wimbledon
11/12 June Senior Bernard Darwin (Over 65) Woking
12 June Veteran’s Bernard Darwin (Over 75) Woking
13 June Putting Tournament Finals 1700 Royal Wimbledon
2 July Match v Old Fidelians 1400 Gog Magog
4/5 July Bernard Darwin Trophy (Over 55) Woking
20 August Old Aldenhamians /Old Millhillians 1300 Porters Park
23 August Uppley Cup 1400 Ilkley
26–29 September Grafton Morrish Finals Norfolk
Supporters are always welcome, as are new members. Players wishing to join the Golfing Society should contact Nigel Washbourn.
Noah Thain, West 2018–23 was selected for the England squad in the 2024 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. England’s opening game was against Scotland in January. A total of 41 matches were played, culminating in Australia beating India in the final on 11 February. England placed 6th overall. Congratulations Noah and team – a great achievement.
The third annual Tommy Dann Memorial Match took place on Saturday 23 March at Cambridge University Rugby Club. Over £20,000 was raised for the Jonny Wilkinson Charitable Foundation, from ticket sales and the pre-match lunch, with Jonny himself in attendance this year.
This uniquely special event, which goes from strength to strength, was very well attended, and the match finished Old Perseans XV 45-19 Old Leysians XV. Bad luck, OLs – maybe 2025 will be The Leys’ year, to coincide with our 150th anniversary.
To see a selection of photographs from the day, please click here.
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.
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.
In addition to tennis, our congratulations go to Joel and OL friends Will Spriggs, North A 1992-97 and Nick Peters, East 1995-97, all of whom all successfully completed the French Riviera Marathon in November 2023.
Obituaries for Old Leysians and members of our Leysian community are published in OL News and on the website below.
More InformationThere is an extensive list of clubs and societies in which pupils can be involved during the time at The Leys.
More InformationThese are the current members of the Old Leysian Society Committee.
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