Inaugural SAOBA Cycle Event a great success!

On a clear but chilly morning on Sunday 7th October a hardy band of determined SAOBA cyclists assembled in the old Prep School Car Park (“where have the bike sheds gone?”) ready for the first official SAOBA day ride.
Some had cycled from home, and Mike O’Kell had cycled the furthest (16 miles to Hale Barns). But he didn’t complain as he was still freshly trained from his recent mammoth Lands End to John O Groats cycle ride!
The day’s route took us from Holy Angels church, down Wicker Lane, following the former St Ambrose cross country route, down to Bankhall Lane, and then over the railway bridge to Ashley, through Mobberley and south into Cheshire, all the time keeping to the quietest, smallest roads. It was a fine morning and there were plenty of cyclists out.
We arrived at the Jodrell Bank big dish cafe in under an hour. We were able to learn about the origins of the universe over 14.8 billion years ago, and catch up over coffee and a bacon and sausage barm.
The slightly extended return route took in Goostrey, Peover, Plumley, Knutsford with a brief refreshment stop by Tatton Hall, before we waved goodbye to Mike at the Rostherne gate, as he headed back to Northwich, and the rest of the group took the Tatton mile home, completing the 33 mile course.
Simon Harrop and I were asked to pick a 2018 SAOBA cycling champion from the group. It wasn’t an easy choice, as it was never a race. We decided that the only way to distinguish individuals was by their mileage on the day. As Mike O’Kell had clocked up a total of 58 miles,  he has been confirmed as our Inaugural 2018 SAOBA Cycling Champion. Simon Harrop is second and Ian Taylor in third place.  All three are excellent cyclists.
The day was great fun and who knows, it might even happen again in 2019!

SAOBA Golf Day Successfully Returns

The Annual St Ambrose Old Boys Golf Day was held this year on Friday the 12th October at the Wilmslow Golf Club.

The heavy overnight rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the hardy band of golfers participating in this flagship event.

As lunch was being taken the rain decided to come down even heavier but a quick check in the Professionals’ shop on the weather map gave the necessary reassurances that conditions would improve during the afternoon and at 13.54 George Tsiantar hit the first ball and the competition was well and truly underway.

The standard of golf played in the afternoon was high and despite the gusty winds it was more the gutsy performance of the players that carried the event.

After 18 holes of golf the players retired to the local pub – we’d been out so long the clubhouse had stopped serving food by the time we returned to its comfort – and after a hearty meal and some liquid refreshments the winner was announced by Peter Riley.

There was a card play off to decide the 2nd and 3rd place but on his Back 9 score George Tsiantar with 33pts was declared the runner up, with Mike Budd coming a very creditable 3rd.

However, there was a clear winner on the day and congratulations to David Wilkinson with an excellent score of 37pts he became the 2018 Champion Golfer following an excellent display throughout the afternoon.

Next year’s event will be held on the 2nd Friday in October again. With High Legh, Warrington, Dunham Forest, Mere and Wilmslow all throwing their hat into the ring in the hope of being selected as the course to be chosen in 2019 – watch this space as they say for further announcements!