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The Cresswell Cup
Colin Cresswell, who had
captained the club, moved south to Ampthill in Bedfordshire. He arranged an
annual match to be played for the Cresswell Cup in memory of his father. For
several years a highlight of the season was the coach trip to Ampthill or their
visit to us. Colin moved up to Edinburgh and unfortunately as Ampthill became
more ambitious, the fixture ended with them retaining the cup.
Rapid Expansion
It is not possible to give an exact date when OYs became a completely open
club, but it had most certainly happened by early 1967. A canvas of the local
schools by Hadyn Samuel, resulted in an influx of new players forming a Fourth
XV with the strong possibility of a Fifth. The increased number of home games
led us to lease the adjoining seven acre top field to give us two more pitches.
The Fourth XV, now known as the Vandals, fielded nine players from Sheldon Heath
School. They included Jim Wattison, a fearsome prop forward , who was later to
gain a county cap for Staffordshire, Paul Smith, Bert Black and Malcolm Jackson
who all played for Greater Birmingham Colts. The business of the club increased
dramatically so that within three years the bar turnover exceeded 6000. Beer
at that time was 2s 4d a pint. By 1968 we were fielding seven sides, Firsts,
Seconds, Thirds, Vandals, Hawks, Hornets and Colts. The lower teams were given
names because nobody wanted to play against OYs sixth team but OYs Hornets,
well that was OK.
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