OM Girls' Hockey

The OM Women’s Hockey team had an addition to the fixture list this year with the Dean Close Six-a-Side tournament in mid-October. The squad of 7 took on 6-a-side alumni teams from Cheltenham, Dean Close & Canford amongst others. The squad were not to be intimidated by goalies in England Hockey kit and teams with matching shirts & coaches, and as usual played some fantastic hockey which belied the fact that we hadn’t played together for nearly a year. The grudge match against Canford was the game of the day, a hard fought match that went down to the wire. With Marlborough at the unlucky end of some umpiring decisions, it was with a sense of déja vu from our school days that Canford just beat us to go through to the Final. For our first run out at the tournament though we were happy to finish in 4th place after the playoff against host school Dean Close. It was a great day out for everyone and definitely a tournament we look forward to entering again.

In November for the OM Festival of Sport, the annual match against the College XI took a different turn with the Alumni girls taking on a hybrid team of the male alumni & staff instead. As always it was a fast-paced, end-to-end game with a smattering of brilliance from some rusty players! The team was made up of players from across the years, as well as some star appearances from staff. Some generous umpiring & tactical extra time from alumni coach / umpire John Copp, left the Alumni girls victorious as the final whistle blew. It was another fantastic run out for the alumni team which was enjoyed by everyone. Another fixture we’d be keen to add to the list next season – especially when it’s followed by BBQs & fireworks.

As ever, please get in touch if you are keen to play in the alumni team: louiseburn@hotmail.co.uk

There are three sporting fixtures taking place at this year's Club Day on Sunday 9th October.

All OMs are invited back to the College to either take part in the games themselves or to lend their support.

OM sport on the day includes OM girls' hockey, a rugby match against the Old Cliftonians on Hamersley and an encounter for OMFC against a Common Room XI.

Click here for the full schedule and registration form.

The OM Girls’ Hockey XI took to the field on Club Day as they returned to familiar surroundings for a fixture against the College XI.

New Club Secretary Louise Burn (MO 2006-11) gathered the squad together which included several recent leavers.

Burn commented: “Everyone was really keen to play and we had about 19 players available. Hopefully the game can become an annual fixture given we had such interest.”

The College ran out 3-0 winners but it was an enjoyable afternoon’s hockey with many OMs in attendance to witness the entertaining encounter, officiated by former Director of Hockey, Jon Copp.

A team of old Marlburian women, spanning seven year groups, processed onto the newly-laid AstroTurf on Sunday 23rd March to take on the highly successful First XI Girls’ Hockey Team.

The weather left a lot to be desired, with the bright early sunshine overtaken by heavy hail storms keeping both teams on their toes.

The OMs kept the ball safe, playing passes around their young adversaries, but unfortunately two early goals were conceded (the first with a diving finish) leaving the score 2-0 to Marlborough at half-time.

Words of wisdom in the dugout brought the OMs back with renewed vigour and some great feeds down the pitch led to two goals for the OMs (we won’t mention that they were ultimately scored by our Marlburian ringer!) allowing  the visitors to equalise with 15 minutes to go.

A hard fought battle in defence kept the skilful Marlburians out and the OMs were relieved as the final whistle blew. We had no reserves!

A great result all round and we look forward to this event becoming a regular annual fixture in the College calendar.

Thank you to Jon Copp and Jamie Davies for umpiring and to all the supporters cheering both teams on from the sidelines.

Review by Matilda Kay (EL 2002-07)

Here is how the OMs lined up:

GK Lara Good (MM 2007-12)
CB Saki Naylor (MM 2006-11)
LB Freddie Hampel (NC 2007-12)
RB Matilda Kay (EL 2002-07)
SW Rebecca Naylor (MM 2003-08)
CM Gabriella Rose (EL 2007-12)
LM Rosie Morgan (EL 2007-12)
RM Mary Alexander (EL 2005-10)
CF Rosie Dibben (Marborough NC L6)
LF Leonie Lawrence (MM 2001-06)
RF Bella Somerset (MM 2004-09)

The inaugural OM Girls hockey match against the College First XI ended with a 1-1 draw, which both teams agreed was a fitting outcome as it was a hard fought but even match.

The first XI were very well drilled, fast and skilful but an early goal by the OMs put them in the lead. Some great saves from Anna Hextall kept the Marlburians out of the game until an excellent individual goal from Olivia Hazlitt brought them even.

It was a bitterly cold but there was great play from all involved with no let up from either side. This was particularly impressive since it had been many years since the OMs had played together, some not having played at all since leaving MC!

GK: Anna Hextall (MM 2002-07)
Robyn Vere Nicoll (NC 2002-07)
Matilda Kay (EL 2002-07)
Becca Naylor (MM 2003-08)
Claire Sykes (EL 2007-12)
Alex Bromley Martin (EL 2003-08)
Fiona Readman (EL 2002-07)
Mary Alexander (EL 2005-10)
Rosie Morgan (EL 2007-12)
Hattie Gibson (EL 2004-09)
Leonie Lawrence (EL 2001-06)
Tatiana Delaney (NC 2000-05)

View the video of the first OM v College Girls' Hockey Match, played on 9th December, which launches our latest OM Sporting Affiliate Club ....more