Oxford captain invites his old school team to big day

THE Elizabeth College first XI are heading to the 2018 Varsity matches.

The East Harbour Elizabeth College first XI hockey squad 2017-18. Back row, left to right: Sam Ferry, Don Harty, Nairn Guilbert (captain), Hugo Thompson, Sam Hodgson, Tom Cashin, Jonty Carnachan, Justin Maynard and Rick Gomes of sponsor East Harbour. Front row: Josh Pipe, Max Sharpe, Kit Inderwick, Sammy Fowler, Nick Hodgson, Ross Guilbert and Lewis Perfitt. Miles Hardill was unavailable for the picture.

The day is the highlight of the sporting calendar for the Oxford and Cambridge University teams and also features other matches as part of a festival of hockey.

The special invitation has come because Old Elizabethan Andrew Oxburgh is this season’s Oxford University Men’s Blues captain.

The master in charge of hockey at Elizabeth College, Andy Good, takes up the story.

‘As part of the day, the captain of Oxford’s old school plays the captain of Cambridge’s old school,’ he said.

‘Because Andrew left us after Year 11 and went to Repton School on a scholarship for his sixth form, I imagine he could have nominated either school to represent him.

‘We are very pleased and privileged that he has chosen us and we are chuffed to bits that he is Oxford captain this year.’

Oxford are the current holders of the main men’s trophy, having won their first Varsity match since 2011 in March.

Oxburgh was a member of the side who came from behind to force a 2-2 draw in regulation time and then went on to win 5-3 on penalty shuffles.

More in Wednesday's Guernsey Press.