After flash floods led to last year’s fixtures being called off at the last minute, this year’s event was highly anticipated! With teams warmed up and ready, and spectators gathered both court- and pitch-side, the rain that had been forecast held off for what turned out to be an action-packed morning of sport. The event featured some excellent matches including an historic first win for the OP netball team since the fixture’s inception in 2019.

The OPs got off to a strong start in the first quarter of the netball, leading comfortably at half-time. With both strength and depth in the team, the OPs maintained their momentum even as the school found their stride during the third and final quarters piling on the pressure. Despite the school’s increased efforts to make a comeback, the OPs were unrelenting, securing a convincing 40-27 victory over their hosts at the final whistle. OP Captain, Lydia Pike (95-02) said, “It was a really enjoyable and competitive match; for OPs to get our first win was an extra bonus!”

In the hockey, the men's team featured a strong core of 2024 leavers, supported by other recent leavers from 2015 to 2022. Two former teammates from the 2000 leavers' cohort, Mark Robson (93-00) and Sam Moore (89-00), completed the men’s lineup. Both still active in club hockey for Driffield and York respectively, they had faced each other as opponents the day before. Now, 25 years after playing for the school’s 1st XI together, they found themselves reunited on the OP team.

Although players were thin on the ground this year for the OP ladies’ team, the side packed a punch. Former 1st XI captains Jessica Pidgeon (05-16) and Grace Beckett (12-21) were joined by Charlotte Evison (16-23) in goal, Olivia Martin (99-08) in midfield, and Evie Hirst (13-20) in attack. Graduate sports assistants Lauren Wood and Alexa Knott, along with a handful of players on loan from the school, completed the team.

Both matches were hard-fought with some determined passages of play. In the men’s match, the players’ experience and physicality showed, with the OPs dominating against a determined school side. Although the school tried to stay within striking distance, the OPs stretched their lead to win the match 5-2. Ben Byas (08-15) commented: “The school team played really well, but we managed to stay ahead in the end; it was a brilliant game to be a part of.”

Meanwhile, in the ladies’ match, it was neck and neck throughout in a tense and fast-paced encounter, which saw the school XI edging ahead by one goal to clinch a narrow 6-5 win. Evie Hirst (13-20) commented: “It was a tough match; we pushed hard, but the school team played brilliantly to get the win. It was a lot of fun and always a pleasure to come back and play against the school.”

Following the matches, OPs, staff, families and friends, gathered in the cricket pavilion for refreshments and a long overdue catch up to round off an excellent morning. OP President, Charlie Lambert (01-08) remarked: “It's always wonderful to see everyone come together for these events; the sense of community and sportsmanship is what OPs is all about."

Thank you to the umpires and supporters who gave up their time to help at the event. They were: David Byas (Current staff, Hockey umpire), Martin Davies (Current staff, Hockey umpire), Stuart Rawlings (75-80, Hockey umpire), Rachel Danby (Current staff, Hockey & Netball umpire), Lucy Hornby (Current staff and OP 02-04, Netball umpire), Ben Byas (Current staff and OP 08-15, Hockey), Toby Seth (Headmaster), Charlie Lambert (01-08, OP President), Patrick Dare (Current staff).

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who came to play and please do come again next year! The provisional date for next year’s event is Sunday 22 March 2026!

OP Netball Team:

Lydia Pike (née Kemp, 95-02), Hannah East (08-20), Evie Hirst (13-20), Jess McDowell (15-22), Phoebe Anderson (14-23), Evie Parkinson (18-23), Maddie Parkinson (18-23), Lauren Wood (Graduate sports assistant), Alex Knott (Graduate sports assistant).

OP Ladies’ Hockey Team:

Olivia Martin (née Byas, 99-08), Jessica Pidgeon (05-16), Evie Hirst (13-20), Grace Beckett (12-21), Charlotte Evison (16-23) GK, Lauren Wood (Graduate sports assistant), Alex Knott (Graduate sports assistant), plus school players on loan.

OP Men’s Hockey Team:

Sam Moore (89-00), Mark Robson (93-00), Ben Byas (08-15), Ricky Blair (10-17), Marcus Chacksfield (14-20), Dylan Barton (14-22), Aaron Clements (14-22), Harry Falkingham (13-24), Tom Hoskin (17-24), Ostap Malychkovych (22-24), Ben Marson (13-24), Thomas McDowell (16-24) GK, Eddie Robson (17-24).