On Saturday, we invited ONs back to take part in our annual ON sports day. Teams were formed of recent leavers to play against our current 1st teams. Thanks to the sports teachers for the comments.

One group of ONs gathered at St George’s Hockey pitch in Telford to play our 1st hockey XI team. The ONs certainly gave them a lesson to remember – winning convincingly with a score of 9-1. The goal that was scored into the windscreen of a nearby car by ON Henry Whitwood wasn’t included in that tally!

It is worth stating that unlike the other Boys sports the ON Hockey Team can be drawn from any previous Hockey player at Adams’. As a result the team that the Old Boys fielded on Saturday was an outstanding team and did include Mr Chima, our Head of Senior Boarding. Virtually all of the ONs are still playing regular Hockey and played oustandingly on the day - it was a really good experience for the present 1st XI (although they were missing 5 regular first team players) The 1st XI squad of 16 players worked hard to compete but did not create enough chances. All in all it was a really enjoyable morning played in lovely conditions. The morning was finished off with penalty shuffles which the ONs won 4-3!

School fared better in the other sports. The netball teams had a brilliant day with the results as follows:

• School won against 2023 leavers 28-12
• School won against mixed year ONs 36 - 26
• Mixed year ONs won against 2023 leavers 23-12

It was wonderful to see the standard that our leavers were still playing at and the games were competitive and skilful. Considering some had not played together either since March or last years old girls the speed and fluidity of play was impressive.  In particular Emily Hulland had an exceptional game but most importantly we are proud of the fact they continue to pursue sport and are keen to return to see one another showing those bonds of friendship created within the teams remain.

With the plan to grow netball within school as girls join in year seven and the expected completion of a new MUGA, the teams can only get stronger.

Rugby

The class of 2023 played the current 1st XV in the ON rugby fixture at Longford  The game was played in a good spirit and each team wanted to get the upper hand on their counterparts. It was a closely contested match and the current 1st XV went 7-0 up in the first five minutes with a try from Oli Wiser. The old boys fought back and scored two tries before half time from Michael Thompson and Dan Haves. The game ebbed and flowed and when James Smith scored down the blind side to make it 17-17 the game looked as if it was going in the school’s favour. With 10 minutes to go, the ONs scored another try right in front of the posts by Cameron Sinclair to make it 24-17. The school 1st XV tried to score another try before the end but the Old Boys kept them out to win a very close game.