Rhubarb

St Edward’s r h u b a r b

49

Football A hastily assembled yet relatively

experienced team of OSE football stars took to the hallowed turf of Corfe pitch. A formidable defence, pivoted by Simon Barrington-Ward (E, 2006-2011) and Henry Maas (H, 2004-2009) in the middle with the ever energetic duo of Joe Robinson (H, 2003-2008) and Harry McHugh (E, 2004-2009) in the fullback positions. The Martyrs, setting themselves up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, had ZackTaylor (B, 2004-2009), Ben Clayton (B, 2003-2008) and Anders Fries anchoring the midfield, with Rob Morgan (B, 2007-2009) and Folarin Bajomo (C, 2006-2011) playing free roaming roles linking the midfield to the attack. Up front was the secret weapon, our very own WMD, DuncanWilson MacDonald (H, 2004-2006) - supported by the tireless Mikey Standing. After a fairly positive start from both sides the game soon settled into something reminiscent of a Stoke v Sunderland match. The game needed a spark, and out of nowhere a relatively harmless cross was sensationally headed in by the St Edward’s XI star striker. What followed was equally as bizarre, a philandering goalkeeper stranded awfully out of position (Maas had picked up the gloves at this point) was left embarrassed after a fairly mediocre shot rustled in the back of the net. 2-0 down at half time, with the majority of the old-timers complaining about one injury or another, it was looking bleak for the Martyrs. A quick reshuffle in defence, with McHugh taking the gloves and a switch to the unorthodox 3-5-1-1, the Martyrs set out to restore some pride. However, with only 13 minutes left on the clock the old boys were still 0-2 down. A stonewall penalty provided the inspiration they needed, with Taylor calmly slotting home to make it 1-2. Two quick fire goals in the space of three minutes, the latter a goal mouth scramble with WMD and Morgan both claiming it, did the job for the Martyrs who managed to hold on for a well-deserved ‘W’ and the beers that followed during lunch in the Martyrs pavilion. Henry Maas (H, 2004-2009)

m a r t y r s

Back Row -Ross Kerr, Jonathan Skull, Bertie Conibear, Mark Perry, Nick Gleave, Ben Ridgway, Tom MacDonald, John Barrett. Front Row - Tom Allen, Georges Haines, Jack Teasdale, Ben Riley, Adam Reeve, Will Power

2005 Martyrs On a cold crisp winters morning the Class of 2005 Martyrs descended on West London to set about avenging last year’s penalty shootout defeat to the old enemy. After the success of last year’s game which was set up by Ben Riley (A, 2000-2005) and Marcus Turner of Radley, there was a great turnout with 14 of the 2005 leavers coming from near and far for the match. The opposition featured mainly old boys from the same year group with a few ringers from other years, fittingly with connections to the 2005 Teddies year group. After a solid warm up of corners and long shots, the match began at noon with the dull drone of the M40 in the back ground. The Rhubarb team started strongly with some good early possession and a couple of shots from distance that failed to trouble the Radley gloveman. The first clear cut chances fell to the boys from North Oxford in identical fashion, first Adam Reeve (C, 2000-2005) and then Ross Kerr (F, 2000-2005) managed to sneak in round the back off corners and head wide when unmarked. With Teddies failing to convert their early chances and use the low sun to their advantage, the Reds went on

the attack testing Nick Gleave (F, 2000- 2005) between the sticks and forcing him into a couple of smart saves in the frosty goalmouth. The rest of the half was an even contest with no side really taking the upper hand and chances were few and far between. Radley started the second half the stronger forcing a corner and managed to capitalise where the Teddies boys had spurned chances earlier, heading in unmarked to the back post to take the lead like they did last year. The Rhubarbs tried to get themselves back in the game but were caught on the counter attack with the Reds captain playing in their left winger. Two Teddies defenders went diving in but could not stop a lovely strike from going into the far corner. The OSE were up against it and had to emulate last year’s comeback to draw with the South Oxfordshire side, just to force penalties and avenge their shootout heartbreak. Yet, the midfield were caught too far up the field, as was the referee missing the Radley captain a good couple of yards offside when he duly slotted past the hapless Gleave in goal.