The OS men's hockey team were in positive spirits as they entered the annual National Alumni Sixes hockey competition at Haileybury College on Sunday 17th September, keen to build on their past 3rd and 2nd places.

Coming together from as far away as Swansea and West London along with those more locally based, the team gelled together from the outset and consistently applied their top flight skills and talents on the astro in the fixtures against fellow alumni teams from across the country. A fast paced tournament with no breaks beween the matches in the group stages saw the OS leading the field as they entered the semi finals.A semi-final win saw them through to a hard fought final.

An outstanding performance from the OS team, scoring 21 goals and only conceding 5 & winning 6 out of their 7 matches to emerge victorious in the Tournament. A full tournament report from the OS Captain follows.

Huge thanks to the team for giving up their precious spare time to represent the OS and to those that braved the slightly unpredictable weather to support the team from the sidelines. Looking forward to defending our title next year already!

Haileybury Sixes Team 2023

Rob Adkins (WH, CH, 02-10)
Keir Ansell -Captain (NH, SH, RH, 11-18)
Freddie Colclough (RPH,17-19)
Ross Butler (NH,RPH, 08-16)
Elliot Hathaway (PP,WH,HH,96-10)
Andy Round (PP, WH, CH, 98-12)
Paul Round (WH,SH, 98-08) Goalie
Craig Smith (RPH,97-98)
Jack Wheaton (MJH, SH, 01-08)

Match Report from Team Captain Keir Ansell (NH, SH, RH, 11-18)

V St Albans (4-0)

Dominant performance vs a 5-man St Albans team got us off to a good start with most of the boys nursing some aching muscles having played the day prior.

V Cheltenham (1-0)

The boys then played a handy Cheltenham side which we would end up facing again later in the day. The OS scored early and held out against numerous Cheltenham attacks to secure a 1-0 win. 

V Caterham (3-1)

The boys were getting into a good run with no break between games. Once again, we were quick off the blocks with two quick goals from open play and a solid corner strike from Jack Wheaton. We dropped one goal towards the end but was a comfortable win

V Haileybury (1-2)

The lads took the lead in the first couple of minutes through a clean strike from Craig Smith but struggled to score more..Haileybury fought back with two late goals to take the win. An unfortunate loss but the boys had secured a place in the semi finals already with the final game seeing us face a 5-man Aldenham with no keeper - spirits were high!

V Aldenham (8-0)

A walkover victory vs a tired Aldenham side. A missing keeper from the opposition meant BSC were able to carve through their defence with ease to score what was written down as 8 goals but was quite possibly more… 

Time for some grub! 

Semi Final V Caterham (3-1)

Reenergised by a superb full English spread from the Haileybury catering team, the boys were back on the pitch (albeit slightly bloated) ready to face Caterham for the second time. A dominant performance from all secured a 3-1 win and we progressed to the final.  

Final V Cheltenham (2-1)

Strong counter attacking moves from BSC from the outset with Andy Round and Craig Smith showcasing their best ‘tiki-taka’ hockey to complete the first goal and go 1-0 up. Cheltenham equalised shortly after with an overload and some quick passing. Back and forth hockey for most of the game at 1-1. Rob Adkins, with the ball at his feet, got recklessly cleared out from behind by the Cheltenham GK which resulted in a penalty flick being awarded to BSC. Jack Wheaton stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.

The boys were now 2-1 up with 5 to play. 

Cheltenham were relentless in their attack and almost levelled the game had it not been for Keir Ansell making a match-saving tackle on a shot that was sure to go in. 

The final whistle was blown shortly after and the boys had won it! 

Full gallery below - Tournament photographs available by logging into portal.

A special mention must go to Paul Round who agreed to play in goal at the last minute and made a number of outstanding saves throughout the tournament which helped keep us in the competition. 

Many thanks to all who participated and a special thanks to Jennifer Law who does a smashing job rallying the troops for this great tournament every year.