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Contemporaries

Contemporaries

*Rugby iktrospect.

The strangely varied form of the lst XV last term makes the writing of a retrospect no easy task. We would see them play really good football against a sound team, and would come to the conclusion that we had a clever side, only to have our optimism shattered in the next match by a spiritless display against inferior opponents.

These good and bad displays were almost completely alternating. Taking the School matches in order, we commenced with a very fine display at Durham. Omitting the Worksop match in which we had two backs injured in the first half, and in which form was difficult to gauge, the good form shown against Durham was followed by a disappointing match against Denstone, at Kirkstall. The following Saturday, however, the team showed something of the spirit in evidence at Durham to defeat Giggleswick, but this was followed by a very sluggish display against Mount St. Mary's. At Ampleforth we were completely outplayed by a faster and more experienced back division, and by the individual efforts of a very clever scrum-half, but in the last match, at Leeds, backs and forwards alike seemed to reach the peak of their form, and a convincing win was the result.

Unlike the previous season, the strength of the team lay in the forwards, while the backs were young and inexperienced. No school pack ever wore down our own, and taking the school matches as a whole, we must have received more than our fair share of the ball, while the wheeling and close rushes were, at times, excellent.

The greatest problem was the finding of a pair of half-backs, the previous season's 1st XV and 2nd XV halves, also the Colts' scrum-half, having left School. After some experimenting the choice fell on Smart, the Colts' fly-half, and Newman, a wing forward from the 2nd XV. The success of a team depends very largely upon the success of the halves, and the speed with which they can let their threequarters have the ball, and the lack of thrust in the back division was, to a large extent, due to the inexperience of these two. This is no disparagement of the players concerned, for no two members of the team tried harder, and they were frequently seen practising together on days when there was no official practice, but it is obvious that two young players (one of them entirely new to the position) cannot expect to enter 1st XV football and play like seasoned players. Their experience must be gained gradually, and, unfortunately, at the expense of their threequarters. In the last two matches of the term there was evidence that they were finding their feet, and that they were showing more confidence.

In the circumstances it is difficult to criticise the threequarters, as they often received the ball too late, and were cramped, for space to move in, but, generally speaking, they were, with the exception of Stead, who alone introduced originality into the attack, too orthodox in their movements, while there is no doubt that the loss of Dodds so early in the season had a considerable effect on the morale of the team. At full-back no team need ever wish to be better served. It is sufficient to say that Lockwood never had a bad match.

A glance at the Points Against column in the final record might suggest that the defence of the side was poor, but actually it was fairly sound, and in five school matches only six points were scored against the team. The majority of the points came from experienced club sides such as York Nomads, Bradford " A," South Wales Borderers, and Yorkshire Wanderers, especially at the beginning of the season when our backs were very inexperienced.

The most pleasing feature of the past season was the success of the 2nd XV. They were a well-balanced side, strong, both in the forward and back divisions, and they always played delightfully open football. Giggleswick, Ampleforth, and Leeds G.S. were all defeated by substantial margins, while the Worksop match was drawn. The three defeats sustained were at the hands of 1st XV's, Ripon, 3-0, and Drax G.S. (twice) the scores being 8-7 at York and 8-5 at Drax. With at least four of these very successful 2nd XV backs returning next season, and some of them, we hope, for two seasons, the outlook for the future is distinctly promising.

The complete records of the first and second fifteens are as follows :—

—Points— P. W. L. D. F. A. 1st XV 15 4 8 3 78 165 2nd XV 9 5 3 1 113 48

1st XV CHARACTERS.

B. H. McCREADY (Captain)—Wing-threequarter. One of the best defensive players in the team, his tackling was always a treat to watch. Did not get many chances in attack, but always went hard for the line.

J. BIGGIN (Vice-Captain)—A large forward who improved beyond all recognition on his previous season's form. A good second row scrummager, who backed up his threes well, while his tackling was greatly improved.

S. DODDS—Centre-threequarter. The most experienced and the best defensive player on the side. Got through a tremendous amount of tackling and general retrieving. Had the misfortune to break his collar bone in the second School match and was unable to play again. P. N. BAINES—A keen and hard-working scrummager who must learn how and when to use his energy. Probably the fastest and strongest member of the team, he rarely backed up his threequarters. When he learns to do this he will be good. D. LUPTON—Wing-threequarter. Somewhat disappointing— one always had a feeling he should have done better. Sound in defence, except for a too frequent tendency to come into the centre, leaving his opposing wing unmarked. In the Durham match showed great thrust in attack, but afterwards returned to his old fault of slowing down or stopping altogether. N. A. NEWMAN—The most versatile member of the team, who could play in almost any position. Previously a wing-forward, he filled the vacancy at scrum-half caused by the previous season's 1st XV, 2nd XV and Colts' scrum-halves all leaving.

Did some very useful individual work, notably in touchkicking and tackling, but never managed to get the speed and accuracy into his passes necessary for a smooth-working back division. K. LOCKWOOD—Full-back. Giving a consistently sound display in every match, his fielding and kicking frequently reached the heights of brilliance. J. M. ATKINSON—The best defensive forward in the pack. An excellent tackler with the ability and inclination to fall on the ball, he continually got back to help a harassed defence. J. W. STEAD—Centre-threequarter. Unorthodox in his movements, quite the most enterprising and successful of the backs in attack. Starting the season with a very shaky defence, he improved it tremendously by the middle of the term. J. G. PRIESTLEY—A very successful hooker who improved his work in the loose towards the end of the term. P. D. JOHNSTONE—Although easily the slowest forward in the pack, uses his brains, and has an excellent sense of position, consequently, with the exception of Biggin, he handled the ball more than any other forward. M. P. L. WALL—A sound scrummager who worked very hard in the tight, but always seemed somewhat lost in the loose. W. H. H. HANKS—A hard-working forward who excelled in the line-out. M. PRINCE—A very large forward, who helped to form a solid second row, but who has yet a lot to learn about Rugger.

C. A. SMART—Stand-off half. Considering his youth and lack of physique and experience he filled the position very well. Has a reasonably safe pair of hands, but rather inclined to overdo the cut-through at times. Very courageous in defence.

D. McLEAN—Next to Newman, the most versatile footballer in the team, and should be a very useful member of it next season. Starting the season as a wing-forward, went to centre-threequarter to fill the vacancy caused by Dodds' injury. Had no experience of the position, but his keenness enabled him to fill it very creditably, although it is doubtful if it is his most useful one.

SCHOOL v. AMPLEFORTH. Result : Lost. School, 3 points ; Ampleforth, 24 points. Played at Ampleforth, on Saturday, December 8th.

As the 1st XV ground was unfit for play the match was played on the prep. school ground.

Once again inexperience and lack of speed behind the scrum resulted in a heavy defeat for the School, although we had a lot more of the play than the score would suggest. In the first half the School forwards were definitely better than the Ampleforth pack and got a lot more of the ball. The superior speed of the opposing backs forced the School "threes" to resort to kicking in order to gain ground, and J. W. Stead was conspicious for some good touch-kicking. Ampleforth, on the other hand, when their backs got the ball, showed considerable initiative and speed, and combined well. Consequently they scored twice before half-time through S. P. M. Sutton and J. J. Ogilvie, both tries being converted by E. M. Grieve. K. Lockwood, however, reduced their lead with a good penalty goal from 35 yards' range, and at the interval, Ampleforth led by 10 points to 3.

In the second half the School were the first to attack, but after a few minutes Ampleforth broke away, and Golding scored an unconverted try. After this the School forwards deteriorated, and the Ampleforth pack were able to give their backs more of the ball. The School, however, still defended desperately, and it was not until near the end that the home team scored twice in quick succession through Golding, the Ampleforth captain and a very good scrum-half, and Roche. The latter try was converted by O'Rooney, who also kicked a fine penalty goal in the last minute. For the School, J. Biggin played well in the forwards, and J. W. Stead was the best of the backs.

Team :—K. Lockwood ; D. Lupton, J. W. Stead, D. McLean, B. H. McCready ; C. A. Smart, N. A. Newman ; M. P. L. Wall, J. G. Priestley, P. N. Baines, M. Prince, W. H. Hanks, P. D. Johnstone, J. M. Atkinson, and J. Biggin.

SCHOOL v. YORKSHIRE WANDERERS. Result : Lost. School, 3 points ; Yorkshire Wanderers, 25 points.

The School put up a plucky fight against an exceptionally strong Yorkshire Wanderers XV, which included J. R. Auty, who has since played for England, W. Exton, the Yorkshire centrethreequarter, and Lt. Butterworth, the Yorkshire forward. The visitors' victory was to a great extent due to the brilliant play of J. R. Auty, who was continually making openings for his centres. Exton showed a fine turn of speed and a good, swerve, and scored three tries. The Wanderers' forwards were very heavy and obtained a large share of the ball in the tight scrums, but they were sluggish in the loose, where the liveliness of the School pack showed up favourably.

The Wanderers started off at a great pace and, scoring three times in the first fifteen minutes, looked like overwhelming the School. Despite a rally by the School pack, which led to the School attacking for a few minutes, the Wanderers scored two more tries before the interval and led by 19 points at half-time.

In the second half their heavy forwards began to tire and, territorially, the School had the better of the play. After a prolonged attack the School scored a well deserved try through D. Lupton, but the Wanderers scored twice more before the end through E. Laycock and J. G. Troop. The School, however, put up a great fight in the second half, the forwards rallying splendidly, but many promising movements were spoiled by weak finishing and lack of speed.

Team :—K. Lockwood ; B. H. McCready, D. McLean, J. W. Stead, D. Lupton ; C. A. Smart, N. A. Newman ; M. P. L. Wall, J. G. Priestley, P. N. Baines, J. Biggin, M. Prince, W. H. Hanks, J. M. Atkinson, and P. D. Johnstone.

SCHOOL v. LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Result : Won. School, 15 points ; Leeds G.S., Nil. Played at Leeds, on Saturday, December 15th.

The School concluded their fixtures against other Schools with a decisive victory over Leeds G.S. by five tries (15 points) to nil. The victory was chiefly due to the School forwards, who gave one of their best displays, and actually four tries were scored by forwards.

The School started off playing downhill, and soon penned the home team in their own " 25," J. Biggin slipping through to score an unconverted try, after a scrum near the Leeds line. They continued to attack, but, with the backs showing little penetration, only one more try was scored before half-time, when, from a fiveyards scrum, the School forwards pushed the Leeds pack over the line, and P. D. Johnstone fell on the ball as it was heeled.

Leeds attacked at the beginning of the second half, and as the School were now playing up the slope, it looked as if the match might yet be lost. However, after ten minutes of this half, the School scored a third try through J. M. Atkinson, following a brilliant forward rush in which all the forwards took part. The School were now definitely on top, and further tries were scored, before the end, by D. Lupton and P. D. Johnstone. Leeds nearly scored once or twice after good threequarter movements, but the School defence was very good, and all the backs tackled well. J. Biggin was the best of the forwards, who, however, all played well, and B. H. McCready played well on the left wing, especially in defence.

Team :—K. Lockwood; B. H. McCready, J. W. Stead, D. McLean, D. G. Lupton; C. A. Smart, N. A. Newman ; M. P. L. Wall, J. G. Priestley, P. N. Baines, M. Prince, W. H. Hanks, P. D. Johnstone, J. M. Atkinson, and J. Biggin.

SCHOOL v. OLD PETERITES.

Result : Lost. School, Nil; Old Peterites, 6 points. Played at home, on Tuesday, 18th December.

The School concluded their season with the annual fixture against the Old Peterites, who had got together a very strong team. In the circumstances they did well to hold them to six points, especially as it was their fourth match in a fortnight, and there must have been some staleness in the team.

The Old Peterite forwards were heavier than the School pack, but the latter managed to secure a reasonable share of the ball. The Old Peterite backs, however, were a lot faster than the School " threes," and consequently were able to prevent them making much headway even when they had got the ball. But in spite of their speed they were well held by the School backs, who tackled with determination.

Although the Old Peterites had the better of the play in the first half, there was no score at half-time. Shortly after the interval, W. Toulmin scored near the corner flag, but the try was not converted, and shortly afterwards J. G. Troop scored a second try for the Old Peterites. The kick again failed. For the rest of the game the School had slightly the better of the play, but were unable to score.

E. P. Sewell was outstanding in the Old Peterites' pack, and was well supported by R. C. Baker and J. Whalley. In the backs J. G. Troop and V. Huzzard played well, while for the School K. Lockwood played a polished game at full-back.

Teams—

School :—K. Lockwood; D. W. Watson, J. W. Stead y D. McLean, D. Lupton; C. A. Smart, N. A. Newman; P. N. Baines, J. G. Priestley, M. P. L. Wall, W. H. Hanks, M. Prince, J. Biggin, J. M. Atkinson, and P. D. Johnstone.

Old Peterites :—R. Ogley ; J. Fargus, V. Huzzard, A. N. Other, W. Toulmin; J. G. Troop, H. Whalley ; E. P. Sewell, B. C. Baker, M. H. Seed, W. L. Seabourne, C. H. Prince, J. Whalley, R. D. Pexton, R. C. Baker.

2nd XV MATCHES.

2nd XV v. AMPLEFORTH 2nd XV.

Played at York, on Saturday, December 8th.

Result :—St. Peter's, 11 points; Ampleforth, Nil.

There had been heavy rain before the match, but the ground was in fairly good condition, and the weather was fine. The School kicked off with the wind, but were a little sluggish ; Ampleforth pressed hotly for the first ten minutes, but the School defence was sound, and the School soon got into their stride. Several forward rushes, culminating in a five yards scrum, were rewarded by a try scored by Hollington, who, cut through to touch down just inside the posts. This was converted by Watson. Shortly before half-time, Ampleforth, after a quick heel from a loose scrum, got the ball out to their right wing, the fastest man on the field. He was away with only the School full-back to beat ; what looked like a certain try was baulked by a magnificent tackle by Barnby.

After half-time, the School forwards pressed continuously, and play was confined to the Ampleforth half. Watson cut through, following a quick threequarter movement, to score about half-way out, and, soon afterwards, Graham srored in the corner. Neither of these were converted. In spite of several individual efforts, Ampleforth never looked really dangerous, and the final whistle left the School victors by 11 points (3 tries and 1 goal) to nil. The tackling of the threequarters was good, the centrethreequarters were particularly sound in attack and defence, while the forwards were exceedingly lively throughout the game.

Team :—D. G. Barnby ; A. W. Douglas, G. E. L. Graham, D. W. Watson, J. L. Boden ; M. B. Marwood, J. R. Hollington ; J. B. Dixon, B. J. Eastwood, C. W. V. Kennedy, A. D. Barnsdale, N. L. Dodd, I. A. Campbell, C. H. Vasey, I. L. Lupton.

2nd XV v. LEEDS G.S. 2nd XV.

Played at York, on Saturday, December 15th. Result :—St. Peter's, 12 points ; Leeds G.S., Nil.

The ground was wet and slippery so that accurate passing and quick swerving were difficult, but the play was surprisingly open. The School kicked off, and, for the first quarter-of-an-hour, the play was rather scrappy. Gradually the School forwards settled down, and, taking advantage of their superior weight, heeled the ball with almost monotonous regularity from the loose and tight scrums. Following a quick passing movement, Douglas got away, and, successfully evading two tackles, scored in the corner; the kick failed.

In the second half, the School did more of the attacking, and Leeds were continually on the defensive, in spite of several good attempts to take the play further up the field. After a forward rush and a quick heel, Graham cut through on the "25" line to score an unconverted try. After about ten minutes' hard pressing, Graham again cut through to score fairly far out ; this was unconverted. Shortly before " no-side " Watson kicked a good penalty goal. This made the final score 12 points (3 tries and 1 penalty goal) to nil, to the School. Both the forwards and the backs played a very keen game; the threequarters handled the greasy ball exceptionally well.

Team :—D. G. Barnby ; A. W. Douglas, G. E. L. Graham, D. W. Watson, J. L. Boden; M. B. Marwood, J. R. Hollington ; J. B. Dixon, B. J. Eastwood, C. W. V. Kennedy, A. D. Barnsdale, N. L. Dodd, I. A. Campbell, C. H. Vasey, I. L. Lupton.

HOUSE MATCHES.

School House v. Clifton Rise School House 3-0

Clifton Rise v . Day Boys School House v. Day Boys Clifton Rise 6--0

School House 14-0

There being only three houses this year, it was decided that each house should play the other two. The School House retained the Cup by defeating both the Rise and the Day Boys.

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SCHOOL HOUSE v. CLIFTON RISE.

The appalling weather conditions made open football practically impossible, and, consequently, the game was almost entirely a succession of scrums, although both sides tried to get their backs moving. The School House were heavier in the forwards and got most of the ball. This enabled them to press for most of the game, although there were times when the Rise reached the School House line. There was no score at the end of the first half, nor at the end of the second, and, indeed, the ball was so difficult to handle, and the tackling on both sides so determined, that a score did not seem likely however long was played.

Newman broke away after a few minutes of extra time, but was tackled by Atkinson, and it was not until nearly ten minutes of extra time that Atkinson got past Douglas to score the deciding try.

SCHOOL HOUSE v. DAY BOYS.

The School House beat the Day Boys fairly easily by 14 points to nil. Although the Day Boys were the first to attack, it was obvious their opponents were too fast behind the scrum for them, and they scored twice in each half through Graham, Stead (2), and Atkinson, Baines converting one. The handling of the School House backs was good, while Hanks and Lockwood were outstanding for the Day Boys.

DAY BOYS v. CLIFTON RISE.

The Day Boys put up a good fight against the Rise and prevented them scoring till near the end. They were, however, outweighted and outpaced, although they played hard. N. A. Newman and A. V. Douglas scored tries for the Rise, but neither were converted, and the final score was Rise, 6 points ; Day Boys, nil.

Teams—

Day Boys :—C. H. Cheong ; J. W. Butler, K. Lockwood (capt.) ; J. Hollington ; W. H. Hanks, R. C. Davidson, R. S. Bickle.

School House :—J. M. Atkinson (capt.) ; J. W. Stead, C. Smart ; G. E. L. Graham ; M. P. L. Wall, -M. Prince, P N. Baines.

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