Saturday 9 March 2024 was a great day for College sport against the Old Bradfieldians when the OB Footballers and the OB Running team put out their best sportspeople for the friendly competition.

The Football match was played on the hallowed Rectory 1 and the OB Footballers led by Dan Hodgkinson (H 10-15) and Tom Martin (H 06-11) knowing that they were up against the current ISFA champions had little time for nostalgia before the game and got off to a flying start.

Match Report as follows: The OBs started strongly and went 1-0 up with a goal by James Higgins (G 13-18) following an intense high press and turn over taking the College by surprise. The lead didn’t last long though as the schoolboys replied with two excellent finishes into the bottom corners to make it 2-1. Just before half-time a race between two of Bradfield’s greatest athletes, Jack Hodgkinson (H 13-18) and the College’s Ted Norris, saw the OBs striker brought down in the box. Penalty given, and a lifeline for the OBs. Nick Watts (C 10-15), with his Toney-like two-step run up, did what he does best and cooly stroked the ball into the back of the net. An exhilarating first half ended 2-2 and gave the old boys a much-needed rest. 

The second half saw the school start to assert some dominance as the old boys’ lack of fitness came through. A long ball over the top to the school’s striker was just what the OBs had been warned about, and the school went 3-2 up following a clinical finish into the bottom corner. The rest of the half saw chances fall to both teams, but just as they have done so many times this season, the school showed their class, fight, and commitment to winning and saw the game out at 3-2. It was a hugely enjoyable game that both sides can be proud of their performance and the future certainly looks bright for the OBs with such a pipeline of talent coming through. The school may have taken home the three points, but inevitably, the day’s real winner, was Bradfield football.

The game was played in a very competitive spirit, but with a very friendly atmosphere, the OBs borrowing a goalkeeper and a staff player from the College to make up their team. For Freddie Bloem (D 10-15) it was his first time at Bradfield for many years having worked abroad and now living and playing football back in the UK. Other players in the squad were: Sam Stringer (C 12-17), Charlie Bullman (C 10-15), Kieran Robinson (C 10-15), Mateo Teniente (G 13-14) and James Smith (D 12-17). Anyone who would like to join the Bradfieldian Footballers would be most welcome to get in touch as they are always looking for new players to join them both in the FA Arthurian Premier League and in their Powerplay matches where they are top of their league.

To get in touch the OB Footballer’s are on Instagram

In the Cross-Country running race, the Bostelmann Run was a poignant affair this year with the recent passing of keen runner and supporter of the College Michael Bostelmann (A 61-66). Both his sons David Bostelmann (A 94-99) and Richard Bostelmann (A 92-97) ran for the OB Runners alongside Adam Robinson (G 11-16) who brought together the team as Secretary of the Club. Former Secretary Tony Henderson (E 79-84) made a lovely tribute to Michael after the run outside Stunt Pavilion recognising his great importance and passion for College Cross-Country running and also his commitment to the Hare and Hounds Alumni Club and Race on Wimbledon Common.

Other runners for the Bradfieldians included: Dean Makar (C 84-86), Jon Salmon (B 73-78), Mike Gush (B 62-67) and Richard Pollock (H 84-89) who are regular runners alongside Adam Reed (H 97-02), Matt Green-Armytage (E 91-96) and Simon Smedley (C 97-00) who ran for his first time for the OBs and remembered running as being a punishment when he was at school.

The first two runners home were OB Adam Robinson and Peter from A House at the College. However, after the race finished we realised some runners had gone the wrong way due to a local resident possibly removing a key route marker! It was, after all, a team race and the 8 College runners were all back with their team finishing positions totalling 62 and the first 8 back from the Bradfieldian team placed at 75. As a result, the College team took the Bostelmann Trophy this year, a well-deserved team effort and a proud moment for Upper Sixth team captain Blake from G House.

Anyone wanting to join the OB Running Club can contact Adam Robinson on email

Gallery of photographs of the Football

Gallery of photographs of the Bostelmann Run