OS Hunt v RSSH

The OSH  &  The RSSH run in the Annual Meet, on Saturday 3rd December, 2016.

Looking down Central towards The Drum at 2 pm, there were huddled groups of Old Salopians, and girls and boys of The Hunt, gathering with supporters in front of Mr. Darwin’s plinth, on a dry cloudy but chilly afternoon. It was beginning to look as though The Old Salopian Hunt was actually going to field a talented team which could this year challenge the impressive Hunt team.  Kait Weston was our Hunt Host today and welcomed us all. The crowd took pictures of the assembled line of 6 Huntsmen and 3 Huntswomen, showing from the left, this year’s Huntsman Freddie Huxley-Fielding (R), then one of last year’s Joint Huntsmen, Ben Remnant (Ch), George Mallett (S) for 2011-12, Oli Mott (Rb.) 2002-03, Peter Birch (Db) 1970-71, Olly Laws (SH) 1997-98, Olivia Papaioannou (EDH) Huntswoman for last season, Immie Evans (G) this year’s Huntswoman, and Anna Thompson (MSH) for 2012-2013. 

There were equal teams of 13 at the start line, when The Huntsman shouted The Cry of “All those hounds…”, to set us off together in the combined sprint for the tall blue Moss Gates.  The two Riggites, Freddie and his Senior Whip, Will Hayward, are two of the strongest runners in The Hunt and were to be running against the strength and experience of not only our Captain, Oli Mott (Rb. 98-03), but also Olly Laws (SH. 93-98), George Mallett (S. 07-12) and Ben Remnant (Ch. 11-16), who were all fast ex-Huntsmen. Even last year’s Huntswoman, Liv Papaioannou (EDH. 11-16) was bolstering the line-up of Great OSH Talent. We were also boasting another “secret weapon”, being Peter Middleton, in his Green & Gold vest for the first time, now that he has passed the baton of Master-In-Charge of The Hunt to Ian Haworth back in the summer.

The front of The Pack were off and way past the football match being played on Top Common and ran down past The Maidment Music Building, whilst quite a few of us were still being surefooted along Ashton Road. Eventually, all had negotiated the narrowed route beside the superb new caged Hockey pitch, just before The Grove. The course took us around the Astroturf and behind The Stott Pavilion, then rising up to Oldham’s Gap, we turned for Queen’s Terrace where supporters kept us moving on track with their encouragements and onwards down Canonbury. Here and at many crucial points, there were volunteer course markers who waived us on the right path with a smile and words of direction, for which, I for one, was grateful. Even the occasional red & white tape markings erected by the invisible groundsmen, were invaluable to the success of this event.

With the ground being relatively firm, the pace was fairly fast, even when crossing the shallow water of The Radbrook. Then a long drawn out trail of runners following The Severn towards Port Hill and then left up Ridgemount Drive, took us to our previous worn track around The Lower Common.

After 3 ½ miles (or 5.6 kilometres) the sight of the “Finish” banner, erected in the shadow of The Alington Hall, made for a final effort and applause from those waiting there.  Our own  Oli Mott had fought off Huntsman Freddie and Whip Will, as Peter, Olly and George soon followed. The placings were creating a close competition as we waited for our back-markers Martha Pownall, Michael Johnson, Cliff Simpkin, Richard Hudson and Anthony Hickson to arrive.

We then went down to The Hunt Gym to get the results with Tea & Sandwiches, where the official “unveiling” of The Huntswoman Honours Board  already showed six Captains of The Girls Hunt since 2011. Then it was the Oli Mott moment, where he gets “his” Cup handed back to him as the Winner of The Run again and it was noted that his wife, Hilary, had specially polished the trophy for the day !

The Results Sheet, hastily printed out, showed a RSSH Team win by 4 points, but two days later I just happened to check the calculations and found that The OSH had actually pipped The Hunt by 3 points ( and hoped the Trophy has not been engraved yet !). So, although the dust has settled on another great day, this year The OSH has finally broken The Hunt’s Eight Year grip on The David Loake Trophy and we now glow in silence as we contemplate what we have achieved ! Despite this, our friendship is strong and we are hungry for the next meeting between our clubs.

By 4.30pm, ten Committee Members assembled in Kingsland House for The Annual General Meeting and, after the customary “Toast to Morti”, we began analysing what we do, for nearly two hours. After closing the meeting, it was an hour before 14 diners gathered for The Annual Dinner in The Hardy Room, which included our guests, The Huntsman, Freddie, The Junior Whip, Scott Hatton (S) and 1st VIII Runner, Owen Mock (R).

We enjoyed the day so much, plans are already being made for next year’s event.

Peter Birch. OSH Chairman.

Results can be found here.