Sports round-up – September 2023

Dino Lamb-Cona (East 2016) became the first OC to appear in the Rugby World Cup when he won his fourth cap for Italy and opened the scoring with his second try for his country v Namibia. A week later he equalled HP Jacob’s (1 North 1922) OC record of five full international caps.  Hugh Tizard (Loveday 2018) was in the Saracens side who won the Gallagher Premiership final in May.

Tom Lawes (Cubitt 2021) continues to make an impression at Surrey where he has been a regular in their side and, at the time of writing, has taken 33 wickets at 22.39 as well as posting his maiden first-class fifty. He was also included in the Hundred franchise. Yousif Majid (North 2022) played for the county in the MetroBank Cup and has been rewarded with a contract for 2024. Michael Burgess (North 2012) has had a good season at Warwickshire where he has been ever present behind the stumps. George Ealham (Loveday 2020) had a brief moment in the limelight when, fielding substitute for England in the final Test at The Oval, his athletic fielding would have run out Steve Smith but for a fumble by wicketkeeper Johnny Bairstow. Ollie Pope’s (Loveday 2016) summer came to an abrupt end when he dislocated his right shoulder during the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s. He subsequently underwent successful surgery. The previous month he had scored 207 v Ireland at Lord’s, the fastest double hundred in a Test in England as well as being named England’s vice captain.

James Gall (Cubitt 2013) and Will Calnan (Cubitt 2014) were in the Great Britain hockey squad who took silver at the EuroHockey Championships. Izzy Petter (South 2018) was in the women’s squad who finished fourth.

Greg Slade (Cubitt 2020), who is ranked 14th in the world in both singles and doubles, became the first OC to take part in the Wimbledon Championships since 1927 (Click here for more)

Will Barnicoat (North 2021) took bronze in the 5000m at the Under-23 European Championships in a personal best time.

Simon Hayton (North 2005) was selected for the Great Britain Rifle Team for their tour to Canada in August (click here for more)

The OC Cricket Club did not enjoy the best season with defeat to Winchester in the preliminary round of the Cricketer Cup and a heavy drubbing at the hands of the School. We remained unbeaten in the cricket week but the poor weather in July took a toll on several fixtures.