Congratulations to James Norris, who has been awarded a DT Scholarship for the 6th Form at Dean Close.

James was also awarded an All Rounder Scholarship to Dean Close when he left Pinewood at the end of Year 8.

It was a wonderfully bright and breezeless October afternoon when the adult teams played their annual match. The venue had been changed to Pinewood because the St Hugh’s pitch was considered too narrow; as it turned out Pinewood would have been better off on a narrow pitch.

The St Hugh’s team (alias the Blue Boar at Longworth) who had already played two or three matches looked in fine form, while the wonderfully eclectic team of players who had gathered to represent Pinewood spanning the Pinewood XVs of the 80s, 90s and 00s, quickly clicked and a new Old Pinewoodian XV was formed. St Hugh’s only managed to produce 14 players and from my original list of about 25 players, 16 materialised (one player had to work, three out with injury, one travelling back from playing against Newcastle, one had a terrible hangover and never made it out of London and three must have lost their diaries!).

The strength of the Pinewood forwards was awesome with the Pinewood pack wheeling and pushing back the St Hugh’s unit. The front row of Dr Mark Lloyd-Davies, Harry Blanshard and John King were formidable and squashed their opposite numbers in the tight, while the power-house of Tom Lees and Elliott Folland won the lineout and really helped the drive. The Captain, Philip McNee, and Jack Cooper were a force to be reckoned with, that made many yards for the team and Jack won a lot of lose ball. John Ellis made an impression when he appeared on the flank, but sadly we could only play eight because St Hugh’s were a player down. Roddy Chisholm-Batten, one of the old men of the team caused a large number of problems at the base of the scrum and his excellent pass gave the backs room to work. David Stephens started the match at 10, but within the first 20 minutes he had to leave for hospital with his opposite number to be stitched up.

The St Hugh’s backs were an exceedingly well drilled unit, lead and co-ordinated by Adam Pierson; their defence was tight and their attacks carved through the Pinewood backs. Sadly two of the players, who were unable to make it should have been playing in the centre. Eddie Mason played wonderfully in the centre and then at 10 he tackled hard but had to leave the pitch with a real shiner midway through the second half. Eddie was well supported by André Lennon-Smith, Matty Manners (the latter two took it in turns to play in the centre and at 15), Phil Clayton, Byron Gay, Peter Andrews (who also played on the flank) and Jonathan Skull. All these backs gave a wonderful display of Rugby, but a lack of cohesion meant that gaps that the St Hughes’ backs could carve through, opened up.

St Hugh’s backs managed to break through twice in each half and they converted two of the tries. The Old Pinewoodians never quite managed to cross the St Hugh’s line, but they notched up a penalty, leaving a final score of 24-7; so sadly the Oxford Wine Company Trophy has returned to St Hugh’s.

The following represented the Old Pinewoodians: Philip McNee (Captain), André Lennon-Smith, Matty Manners, Jonathan Skull, Phil Clayton, Peter Andrews, David Stephens, Eddie Mason, Roddy Chisholm Batten, Byron Gay, John Ellis, Jack Cooper, Elliott Folland, Tom Lees, John King, Harry Blanshard and Dr Mark Lloyd-Davies.

There was a great group of supporters for both sides including ex heads of both St Hugh’s (Derrick Cannon) and Pinewood (Henry Boddington); other Old Pinewoodians spotted on the touch line included: Beth Gaines (nee Dunbar), Serena Manners, Kevin Pike, Sam Tracy (the latter two unable to play due to injury), Christopher Gay, Owen Davies, Ailis and Ewan Drysdale, Tom Barefoot, Ed Mawle, Andrew Short, Mark Skull and Leonora Skull.

The excellent photographs of the match, which can be viewed in the Old Pinewoodian Gallery, were taken by Brian Lennon-Smith.

Congratulations to Eliza Lindsay, who left us at the end of Year 6 in 2008 to go to Tudor Hall, on being awarded a 13+ scholarship (at Tudor Hall).

Old Pinewoodian, Ellen Arkwright, has been chosen as one of the four girl finalists in this year's 

BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year Competition.

The televised final will be at 5.30 pm on Friday, 29th October at St Paul’s Cathedral and

will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday, 7th November at 8 pm.

We wish her luck.

Old Pinewoodian, Grace (left Pinewood Summer 09) has won team gold at the Pony and Young Rider European Eventing Championships. Grace also took individual silver on her debut appearance for her country.

Friday 17th December at Pinewood, kick off 2.30pm.

If you are interested in playing, please contact Jim Bischoff on jb@pinewoodschool.co.uk.

Spectators are very welcome.

Photos from the 2010 George Bailey Trust 20 mile bike ride can be viewed in the main Events Gallery.