Rugby Club
Summer 2009
This season the OMRFC worked hard to return to its roots as a community rugby club. After an absence of many years we returned to training at Headstone Lane on Thursday evenings, in addition to the training we did on Mondays at the H.A.C. ground in the city. Scott Orrit, our new coach who joined us this season worked very hard to improve the players’ fitness.
We attracted a steady trickle of second team players to the club, and one of the newcomers, Gideon Felton took over the management of the second team : and Jamie Monaghan is also committed to helping with the team, and this should improve continuity of players from the School.
The first team found the going in Herts/Middlesex 1 very tough. The biggest problem for the team was a lack of consistent availability from key players, and we did not start with the same back line on one occasion this season. Although we nearly toppled one of the high flying teams in the league, Harlequin Amateurs, we missed good opportunities to register wins against some of the lower placed teams.
Incidentally, the game against Harlequins saw the retirement of David Kelly, OMs rugby legend. DK has been an inspiration to generations of OM rugby players, and has achieved and maintained an extraordinary level of form. At one stage this season he was the only player in the Club to have scored and was always one of the first names to be written on the team sheet. Over 60 players turned out in April to celebrate his departure.
Many thanks to the Thorntons who have done so much in preparing the ground and providing teas and we wish them a happy retirement in Cornwall.
Ben Nash, 1stxv skipper.
OMRFC Vice Presidents' Reunion and Luncheon
The Rugby Club Vice Presidents' Reunion and luncheon was held before the 1st XV league match against Old Actonians on 7 March 2009. This was not the original plan as the Reunion had been proposed for January when a friendly had been scheduled against one of our oldest rivals, Old Merchant Taylors'. Unfortunately OMTs' had to back out due to an unexpectedly good run in the Middlesex Cup.
Perhaps this disappointment affected the numbers attending, but in any event 42 OM's and their guests sat down to a most enjoyable luncheon provided by OM caterer, Nic Leon. Amongst those present was our current President, Alan Toulson and his wife Sarah, and 4 former Presidents.
On the pitch, it was not the OMs day when a late try by Actonians settled the result. Final score, 36 - 49. Once again it was remarkable how the XV raised their game to match the support on the touchline.
John King