Alcock-Kinnaird Cup IV (OH Middle East V OE Middle East)

Final Score: Eton 6 Harrow 5

The fourth edition of the now fabled “Alcock-Kinnaird Cup,” pitted perpetual foes Eton against Harrow at Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, Thursday March 28th 2013. In the weeks and months building up to this fixture, which incidentally, is rapidly becoming a staple in the sporting lists in the run up to British Polo Day and The Dubai World Cup, it was apparent that the OH team would be struggling for fluency with Bulgaria robbing us of the OHAFC players who have made the pilgrimage in recent years.

Undeterred by the paucity of quality at their disposal and in resolutely Harrovian manner a team of sorts was fielded nonetheless (sic), that boasted many generations of former pupils at varying levels of ability. It should be noted that in typical expatriate fashion there were many cavalier demands put on the captain for example by Julian Krickl who literally needed guidance as to what to buy and wear, that said he defended manfully all night against a potent Eton attack.

So after thirty odd emails and numerous texts the rabble finally came together moments before the match was due to kick off. It must be noted that there was an expectant and largish crowd, supporting both teams in anticipation of another tremendous fixture. The pitch was dreadful which was a great leveller for the OH team, as the more physical/agricultural element would ensure a slick high octane Eton onslaught could be diffused by Gideon Rutherford who suffered a terrible iunjury defending with all his might, though did well with Zain Mirza and Jamie Whightman on either side of him and with Will Martin in goal.

In midfield saw the real tussle with the Captain Zulf Hyatt-Khan trying to boss proceedings but being frequently outgunned and outflanked my a more mobile and efficient Eton side who raced into a 3-0 lead in almost a blink of an eye… heads started to bow and Harry Tregoning whose finesse and footballing élan may have been best seen on the Philathletic used his significant size and physicality with some barnstorming runs and some fairly conspicuous challenges to at least ruffle a few feathers. Matt Davies cut a forlorn figure for a large chunk of the match manning a strike partnership with what appeared to be the majority of the rest of the team and he managed to at least bag a couple of snipers goals and was a credit in running all night. Tom Sowler did not manage a goal as per last year and languished largely on the flanks with Jade Mamarbachi putting in a typically industrious performance. Matthew Hammond was also vocal as well as willing but Jamie Wightman who swapped with Will Martin produced the performance of the second half with some sensational saves and a man of the match performance after switching with Will Martin.

But it was the two honorary Harrovians who changed the course of the game, with youthful aplomb the imports of Salopian extraction (scoring 3 between them) helped Harrow to stay afloat and echoing last year’s seesaw tussle Eton ran out 6-5 deserved victors over Harrow despite robust efforts all round. In fairness the scoreline was rather flattering in the end, but the most important elementwas that the fixture was played in the spirit you would come to expect from two extraordinary establishments. The level of détente was in fact so high that bilateral amicability went on into the small hours thanks largely to one of the sponsors. Thanks to all that participated and we look forward to next year’s match hoping, rather praying that it does not conflict with an OHAFC officially sanctioned tour!

More photos can be viewed here

The Team:

• Zulf Hyatt-Khan (capt), The Knoll, 1990-3
• Julian Krickl, Druries, 1989-3
• Matt Davies, Druries, 1987-3
• William Martin, The Knoll, 2002-3
• Zain Mirza, Moretons, 2000-3
• Harry Tregoning, The Grove 1989-3
• Gideon Rutherford, Elmfield 1987-3
• Thomas Sowler, The Park 1995-3
• Jade Mamarbachi, Headmaster’s 1991-3
• Matthew Hammond, Bradbys, 1988-3
• James Wightman, Elmfield 1992-3