As the sun shone on Saturday afternoon, members of the Shiplake community and their four-legged friends came together on the New Field for ‘FieldFest’. The annual touch rugby tournament, heart-warming dog show and beer festival was a fun-filled occasion.
The Parents’ Association kicked off the event with around 40 dogs entering five competition categories. Expertly judged by Karen Maher of Maher & Hound Dog Training & Behaviour, first up was ‘Loveliest Lady’ which was won by Mr Walter’s seven-month-old husky vizsla cross, Vixie. Following that was ‘Most Handsome Chap’, which saw Welly, the border collie cocker spaniel cross take the first place rosette. Up next was ‘Gorgeous Golden Oldie’ for dogs over the age of seven, won by Boris, the nine-year-old Hungarian viszla owned by the Hyman family. We had some very clever canines enter the ‘Best Trick’ category but it was eventually Storm, the eight-year-old black labrador belonging to Mr Settle, who won first prize. The final category was a new one for this year – ‘Best Sausage Catcher’. This category was one of the highlights of the day and very hotly contested, but it was the three-year-old collie lurcher cross Meg, owned by the Wallace family, who was crowned champion!
A range of inflatables and games, as well as a face painter, were onsite to keep our younger guests entertained and the BBQ and tuck shop, together with the beer and prosecco bar complemented the balmy weather perfectly.
Finally it was the turn of our touch rugby competitors to take the limelight. Eight teams comprising of staff, Old Vikings, parents and friends of the College competed in the Touch Rugby Tournament, including last year’s winners ‘Rangas and Ringas’ led by Old Viking Ian Brown (12S) who were back to defend their crown. The teams were split into two ‘pool’ phases where they played three games each. After a grueling knock-out round team Baskerville, comprising of 2018 leavers, met Welsh Old Boys +2 in the final. After a closely fought match, Welsh Old Boys +2 led by Old Viking, Cameron Grossman (14W) clinched the victory.
Events and Alumni Officer, Catherine Brazil said: “Formerly known as the Touch Rugby Tournament, Beer Festival and Dog Show, the event is now in its fifth year and seems to get better and better each year. It was so great to see members of the whole Shiplake community coming together for what was a brilliant, fun afternoon. The glorious weather was like the icing on the cake!”
