OMT Cup Day
The 2015 Hockey OMT Cup day took place on Sunday 22nd March. Philip Newfield reports:
The annual OMT Cup day is a very important day in the calendar of the hockey “family”, which consists of The School Hockey, OMTHC, OMT Society, and The Strikers (The School parent hockey support group). It is the day when all parts of the “family” gather together towards the end of the hockey season, and OMT play against the School. The School and OMTHC host the event in alternative years and this year it was OMTHC’s turn to host. Two matches were played on a beautiful afternoon in front of a record crowd that was several rows deep along the pitch side viewing area.
In the first match between OMT 2nd X1 and The School 2nd X1, OMT won an open, flowing, and exciting match 2-1. Sachin Shah put OMT 1-0 ahead from a penalty stroke after a goal bound shot was illegally stopped on the goal line, but just before half time The School leveled the score at 1-1 taking advantage of poor OMT defending. Chances came and went at both ends in the second half before Oli Wilkin scored the winning goal for OMT a few minutes from time following a penalty corner. After the match OMT 2nd X1 captain Ash Paul commented: “What the School side lacked in experience, they made up for in energy and pace. They were very well organised and drilled by their coach Matt Flower. This was a very enjoyable and close fought match. We look forward to 2016.”
This was followed by the match between OMT 1st and The School 1st X1, which ended with honours shared in a 1-1 draw. The match was played to a very high standard with both teams pressing each other hard in midfield. The School started brightly, but were unable to convert 2 short corners or make any significant chances from open play. Gradually OMT got more into the match and shortly before half time a neatly executed OMT move from midfield conducted at pace enabled Rob Sowood to score from close range. The second half was again even with neither side on top, but midway through it OMT were careless in failing to clear from defence and Richard Alexander equalised for the School. OMT finished the match the stronger and forced a number of short corners and fine saves by The School goalkeeper, Dylan Amin, but could not add to the score. A draw was a fair result to a fine and enjoyable match that was excellently umpired by Graham Harris and Atul Sofat, who received a deserved ovation from all spectators as they left the pitch after it.
After the match OMT 1st X1 captain Joe Gray complemented the School on their high skill and competitive levels and considered that both sides would be pleased with the fair result on the day of a draw.
After the matches everyone attended a post match reception and match awards ceremony in the OMT Society War Memorial Club House, in which the many guest from all parts of the hockey “family” were welcomed, and enjoyed OMTHC’s hospitality. It was especially good to welcome back to Sandy Lodge Jo and Beck Cowan and their son Evan, and Jo must have been proud to have seen the standard of hockey played on the day by those he had coached while he was head of Hockey at The School. OMTHC were also pleased to welcome among its guests The Chairmen of OMT Society, OMT Club, OMTFC, and OMTCC as well as OMT Society President Tony Wright and his wife Gill, and The School Headmaster Simon Everson and his wife Ginny. OMTHC was also proud to announce its latest “Blue” in that Oli Shale, who played today for OMT in the 1st X1 match, played for Cambridge University in the 2015 Varsity match, that Cambridge won on penalty strokes after the match was drawn 2-2. No such penalty strokes when the OMT Cup match is drawn. This would be too much for players and spectators’ nerves!!
The School's Head of Hockey, Richard Alexander told the hockey “family” about The School’s most successful season, and the strength and depth of School Hockey at all age groups.
OMTHC Chairman Varun Paul then concluded proceedings by announcing the launch of OMTHC’s most exciting new Youth Development Plans, that are wholly supported by all other members of the hockey “family, and announced the date of The Club’s 50th anniversary dinner to be held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in September 2016.
A most exciting end to a very successful and enjoyable OMT Cup day.
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