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Chairman's Bulletin 14 March 2025
It was a very sad and emotional week for our community this week, with the funeral service for Harry Gibbons taking place at St Agatha’s in Kingston on Thursday.
As utterly heartbreaking as it was to witness, Harry’s father, brother and uncle all delivered poignant, insightful and inspirational eulogies with dignity and strength in front of a packed congregation of family, friends, class-mates, parents, coaches and team-mates.
Harry’s infectiously energetic zest for life profoundly touched so many Association members and we were lucky to call him one of our own. As his uncle so wisely advised from the pulpit, we shall remember and honour him by living each day to full.
Please continue to keep Harry and everyone who so deeply mourns his loss in your prayers.
Rugby
First XV
The First XV’s away fixture on the breezy Woodmansterne hills against Old Walcountians last weekend was a close, but victorious outing for the boys, making it a home and away double. The match ended with just 5 points separating the two teams 32-27.
With only two games to go, the win keeps us a safe distance away from dropping a place to third in Counties 2 Surrey in the event of a last match slip up, but the stubborn 7-point gap remains with first placed Old Cats.
There is no game this weekend but the next and last ‘must see’ home fixture for this season is on 22 March against Old Blues.
Rams
The Rams Surrey Conference League fixture against a Law Society 2s team last week was technically in breach of consumer protection legislation, given that there were so few Law Society players in the side. However no one cares about such things, especially lawyers!
All we want to do is play given that it has been hard enough finding a side that can put a team out this season. The result was therefore almost secondary, but I am pleased to report it was a narrow 43-41 win.
Although technically it was an away fixture over the fence at RPSG, their pitch was unplayable so the teams walked back over our side of the boundary and played on our side.
By contrast with the opposition, our Rams featured a vast majority of actual old boys including 8 teenagers, which speaks volumes about the current and future state of health of the OWRFC.
As with the 1s, the Rams are not playing this weekend, and have their last home game next weekend, 22 March, in a local Derby against Old Ruts 3s.
Football
The Saturday 2s have a big game this week as they take on Polytechnic 6th in the final of the SAL Intermediate Novets Cup.
The match kicks off at 2 pm at Beddington Cricket Club, Church Rd, Wallington SM6 7NH and the lads would appreciate all the support they can get, so please come along and cheer them on to victory.
Saturday
The 1s came away with a point last week as Jordan Boughedda and Ashley Khaleel scored in their game against third placed Poly 5th which finished 2-2.
The result made no difference to their league position and they need to start winning their games in hand in order to reach the safety of the top half of the Junior Division 4 South table.
This Saturday they'll hope to go one better and take all 3 points as they host fourth placed Old Wilsonians 4th.
A disappointing result for the 2s in their double header last week as they only succeeded in getting 1 point out of a possible 6 as they lost 5-3 and drew 1-1 with hosts Actonians 7th.
The point was enough to retain second place in Junior Division 5 South but things are getting tight at the top as some of the mid table dark horses with games in hand start to creep up the table.
They can leave league concerns to one side this week as they focus on their cup final and hopefully the first silverware of the season.
Sunday
The Firsts enjoyed a comfortable 7-0 win in their cup game last week as they booked their place in the third round of the Leatherhead Junior Charity Cup.
This week they travel to bottom side Erskine Rovers needing to make sure of 3 points as they continue to push for a promotion place at the top of Division 5.
The Reserves came away with a point last week as a brace from Matt Clements and Cameron Rhode getting his first goal of the season gave the OWs a 3-3 draw with Sporting Epsom FC.
Unfortunately AFC Rio managed to pick up 3 points last week which has pushed us back into the relegation places in Division 6 on goal difference.
This means that this Sunday's game away at Arigato First is a must win for the OWs and their recent performances against two of the top 3 sides suggest that Dave Redmond's men are more than capable of securing the win.
Home advantage was not enough for The Strollers last Sunday as visitors Sandhurst Social Veterans ran out 4-2 winners.
This Sunday they travel to Yateley United Vets, the first of three away fixtures as Farnham Division 1 draws to a close.
The Amblers meanwhile play in the Southern Amateur Veterans League Sunday Junior Cup with a second round home draw against Old Finchleians Vets this Sunday.
Six Nations
Round 5 of the Six Nations this Saturday will feature all the last games in this year’s competition with everything still to play for.
Working out who will eventually win the championship with all the combinations of possible results would have been a test for Alan Turing (a big Rugby fan btw).
However it is probably fair to state that France, who play last and at home, are in the driving seat. They play a Scotland side yet to really deliver despite having arguably one of the best performing back lines this year.
If France win with a bonus point they take the title. If they do not, then the cogs and wheels of the Babbage machine start to turn.
England will win the championship if they beat Wales with a bonus point and France either draw or lose to Scotland, but Ireland are not out of the running either, at least mathematically.
However, Ireland are relying on some pretty unlikely results in the other two games.
All games as usual will be shown in the Clubhouse with our superb selection of beverages at member prices.
Have a good week.
Michael-Jon Andrews
Chairman
Harry Gibbons RIP
As many of you may already know, tragedy struck our community recently with the heartbreaking loss of Harry Gibbons (pictured above flanked by Tadg and Pádraig Finn).
Harry’s family have asked us to convey their tribute to Harry along with details about his funeral service and wake.
We would like to thank everyone associated with The Old Wimbledonians who have sent such kind messages and gifts to the family following the untimely death of Harry in Mexico at the start of a 3 month tour. Harry collapsed whilst running on 22 January 2025 after sustaining a heart attack.
He has many friends and connections at the OW’s that go back a long way. Harry attended St Agatha’s Primary School and transferred to Donhead where he developed many life long friends. He learnt to play rugby at Donhead and went on to Halliford School in Shepperton.
His Dad, Charles, 3 uncles and cousins were all educated at Wimbledon College.
Harry joined his year group at The Old Wimbledonian Warriors and continued his association until the end of Sixth Form. He played scrum half for the Halliford 1st XV and gained a place at Nottingham University where he completed his Business Degree last Summer with a 2:1.
During the last few years he has played a number of games for the OW's 1st and 2nd XV at scrum half.
The family and friends of Harry have been devastated by the news of his death but have taken great comfort from the tremendous support of his many friends at the Old Wimbledonians.
I am sure that you will join me in remembering Harry and his family and friends in your prayers.
Wimbledon College Hospitalité Pilgrimage to Lourdes
22 to 26 August 2025
Wimbledon College Hospitalité are once again organising working and non-working trips to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to run along side each other in August of 2025.
Please see the full article on the work they do and how you can get involved on the Hospitalité page.
3 minute film of the grounds circa 1929 . Clubhouse is where the chairs are. Click on the image to see on Pathe site.
OWA Big Prize Club
HAVE SOME FUN AND SUPPORT THE OWs, WARRIORS AND CRICKET COLTS
The OW Big Prize Club, a registered lottery, has six annual draws. The first prize in each draw is £1000 and there are three lesser prizes.
50% of BPC subscriptions is distributed as prizes and the remaining 50% supports the facilities for the OWs, the cricket colts and the rugby warriors.
Total prizes distributed in 2018 were c. £ 7600. Annual prize money increases with increased numbers of subscribers (the annual number of draws has recently been increased from 5 to 6 per year).
New subscribers are very welcome. Anyone can join and you can have as many "tickets" as you wish for yourself, your children or grandchildren. The BPC subscription is £10 pcm.
If you would like others to join the BPC please email owabigprize@gmail.com.
A big thank you to all that give their support via the BPC and good luck in future draws.
Best Regards.
Dave Doran
Big Prize Club AdminRemembrance Page Now Available
Check out the Remembrance Page which remembers those from the College who died in the First and Second World Wars.
We have also updated the Notable Alumni page
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