Our first OC Sport event of the academic year, the OC Rugby Touch Tournament, took place on Saturday 7 September. It was fantastic to see numbers increasing from last year’s inaugural event, and once again to have a wide range of generations taking part. We were also delighted to welcome a team from Maddy’s Mark – a charity established in memory of OC, Maddy Lawrence (20), by her family to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in young women, through the sport of rugby.

As our first event as part of our celebrations for 100 years of rugby at Churcher’s, we were particularly pleased to see Jon Roberts (00) wearing his playing strip from his time at school, still in great condition and more impressively still able to fit!

After a quick warm up and briefing from Director of Sport and Head of Rugby, Ben Skirving, the round-robin tournament got underway. Energy levels were high from the first whistle and it was clear that teams were competitive and skilful, with plenty of diving tries to entertain the crowd. Despite energy levels understandingly seeming to dip towards the end, Jack McCulloch (23), encouraged play to carry on after the final whistle, so with a mix up of teams, more friendly matches were played, a sign of a good afternoon!

Top marks for the loudest spectators (and the brightest T-shirts) went to Maddy’s Mark, closely followed by the Class of 1986, cheering on their compatriots Chris Fry and Chris Deavin. Thank you to all the friends and family who came to watch, it was fantastic to have so many on the side-lines.

The Class of 2024 ended the afternoon as tournament winners, with the staff ‘legends’ team taking home the wooden spoon – their efforts should be commended but fitness levels could perhaps be improved!

A well-deserved BBQ and drinks followed the tournament, with the rain just holding off long enough for everyone to enjoy a burger and beer.

The OC Rugby Tournament is designed to bring together the Churcher’s community for an enjoyable afternoon of sport and socialising. The event is open to all – whether you played at school or not – and we hope that more OCs will return to support the event next year, even if it is just from the side-lines.

‘Thank you to the school for organising this event. This is the first time I’ve returned to the school for 40 years and it’s been great to come back and see how it’s changed.

I was the last Captain of Rugby to play an Old Boys team so I really enjoyed the opportunity to be part of it again, but next year I might take the role of the referee rather than play!’

Stuart Griffin (84)

Photographs from the event can be viewed HERE.