Football

N. A. Newman, G. E. L. Graham, and M. Q. Carlton were chosen for the Yorkshire Public Schoolboys' Hockey XI versus a Yorkshire XI on April 8th, on the School field. J. L. Boden also played in the trials, which were played on the previous ,day.

1st XV versus YORKSHIRE WANDERERS. Lost, 0-3. Played at Home, December 11th.

The XV was strengthened by the return of J. W. Stead to the side, now recovered from his shoulder injury. J. R. Hollington, however, took his place on the almost permanent sick-list of the XV, and the vacancy was filled by P. C. Campbell. The School took up the offensive first, and the forwards managed to keep the ball within the Wanderers' half for some ten minutes of play. The Wanderers retaliated, however, and only keen tackling by the School backs prevented them scoring. The Wanderers failed with a penalty kick. Shortly afterwards, Stead intercepted a pass, ran strongly and passed to Newman, who was a trifle slow in passing to McLean, who was immediately pulled down. On the right wing Smart gathered the ball, kicked ahead when almost on the touch-line, followed up, and passed to McLean, who made ground before being tackled. The score still stood at 0-0 at half-time, though the School had been a trifle unlucky not to score.

Shortly after half-time, Newman dribbled the ball over the Wanderers' line, but was just beaten to the touch-down by a visiting forward. For long periods at a time the School forwards hammered away at the Wanderers' line, but were unable to pierce the defence. The Wanderers' forwards were superior to the School in the set scrums, and played a very bustling game in the loose. In the last quarter-of-an-hour the visiting forwards set up a prolonged attack, and a forward short-passing rush narrowly failed to score. This was followed by a dangerous run by Toulmin, who swerved past the School wing and was stopped by Lockwood just short of the line. A succession of scrums followed, and from one of these the School was penalised. Luxton kicked a goal for the Wanderers from in front of the posts, to win the match. For the last ten minutes of the game the School attacked, but were unable to score, and the Wanderers were victors by a penalty goal (3 points) to nil. The School were extremely unlucky to lose a keen match : a draw would have been the fairest result on the run of the game. As the Wanderers' President claimed that this side was the strongest put out this season, defeat by such a narrow margin can be considered no mean achievement. One of the most noticeable features of the game was the complete subjection of Toulmin, by Douglas in the first half, and Watson in the second.

In fact, it is little exaggeration to say we have rarely seen him a-endered so harmless. The backs handled a greasy ball exceptionally well, and Lockwood gave a very impressive display at fullback. The "Threes" were under a disadvantage in that . Campbell's combination with Smart was unavoidably shaky owing to his introduction to the side at such short notice. This meant that the halves were unable to set their "threes" going at a speed requisite for really successful attack. Stead was by far the best "three-quarter" in attack. The School pack played a plucky game against a heavier and extremely lively pack : Baines, Newman, and McLean were always prominent for the School, while P. S. Atkinson was a tower of strength in the Wanderers' pack.

Team :—K. Lockwood; A. W. Douglas, G. E. L. Graham, J. W. Stead, D. W. Watson ; C. A. Smart, P. C. Campbell ; P. N. Baines, W. Boyes, B. J. Eastwood, H. Toulson, I. A. Campbell, N. A. Newman, I. L. Lupton, D. McLean.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL 1st XV v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE.

At Home. Saturday, .14th December, 1935. Won, 3-0.

It is difficult to give an account of the form shown by the 1st XV in this match without exaggeration, considering that they put up such fine shows against Worksop and the Wanderers. It must suffice to say that this brilliant form was maintained, and that the XV finished their season of School matches with a really great win at the expense of Ampleforth. For the first time since the Durham match the XV had a full side, J. R. Hollington returning from the sick-list in time to fill the position of serum-half.

The School kicked off and were soon well within Ampleforth's 25," Stead and Smart putting in some useful touch-kicking. Ampleforth secured possession in several successive line-outs, and Kilpatrick, the Ampleforth fly-half, kicked touch a corresponding number of times until the ball was landed a few yards from the 'School line. However, the School forwards rushed and dribbled the ball away in grand style. The Ampleforth full-back fielded the ball, raced away on the wing, passed to the right wing who ran dangerously, only to be brought down by a great tackle by Baines. Meanwhile Ampleforth were gaining possession in the tight with monotonous regularity in spite of the strenuous efforts of the School forwards. The defence of the School backs was exceptionally keen, and the Ampleforth halves were continually harassed by the School wing-forwards. From a line-out on the Ampleforth "25" Baines secured the ball, burst through the opposing forwards, ran through a tackle, and forced-his way over the Ampleforth line in the corner to score the winning try for the School.

Never for an instant did the School slack off, nor could they afford to do so. Lockwood gathered the ball, raced along the

left wing, selling several dummies to an exasperated defence, ands when in the Ampleforth " 25 s " passed to Smart, who cross-kicked to the right wing for Stead to gather and pass to Watson,, whose attempted drop-kick was charged down. This movement was perhaps the best piece of work executed in the game. Before. half-time Watson was responsible for a good run on the right wing. Thus the score at half-time was still 3-0 to the School. In the first quarter-of-an-hour the School hammered away at theAmpleforth line, and were within an ace of scoring when Newman intercepted and, after a great run in his own inimitable style, was. tackled inches short of the line. The School forwards were playing with great dash, and by dint of sheer hard work were wearing down the Ampleforth forwards even in the tight scrums,. while in the loose and line-out their superiority was unquestionable_ From a tight scrum, five yards short of the Ampleforth line, . Hollington almost scored and there was a mêlée on the Amplefortk line, a "25" drop-out being ordered. The School were penalised on their "25" line and Buxton narrowly failed to kick a goal for Ampleforth. Soon afterwards the Ampleforth forwards executed' some great dribbling rushes, but the School forwards, with the back row prominent, retaliated with some equally skilful dribbling..

In the closing stages of the game the School were attacking: and Stead cut through and passed to Baines, who knocked-on some ten yards short of the Ampleforth line; when the whistle for no-sidewent the School were still leading by 3 points. The score cannot_ be said adequately to represent the run of the game, and the School thoroughly deserved their win in this match. The full-backs of both Ampleforth and the School gave fine displays, the former opening the game out a great deal by his speed, while Lockwood's. fielding, kicking, and tackling have never leen seen to better advantage, which is the highest praise we can give him. TheSchool " Threes" were superior to the Ampleforth "Threes" in• attack and defence, while the kicking of both fly-halves, Kilpatrick for Ampleforth and Smart for the School, was of a high standard. It must be added, however, that Kilpatrick rather overdid this, and threw away many chances of opening up the game and giving their fast wings a chance.

Both packs played clean and skilful football, Ampleforth; being superior to the School in the set scrums. The School forwards' play in the loose was of a high standard, and in the line-out they have never before shown such an aptitude forbreaking through and harassing the opposing halves. The outstanding School forwards were Baines and Newman.

Team :—K. Lockwood; A. W. Douglas, G. E. L. Graham,,. J. W. Stead, D. W. Watson; C. A. Smart, J. R. Hollington P. N. Baines, W. Boyes, B. J. Eastwood, H. Toulson, I. A._ Campbell, N. A. Newman, I. L. Lupton, D. McLean.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL 2nd XV v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE 2nd XV.

Played at Ampleforth, on Saturday, December 14th, 1935. Result :—St. Peter's School 2nd XV, 3 pts.; Ampleforth College 2nd XV, 6 pts.

Team :—I. A. S. Thompson; D. Lund, V. L. F. Davin, M. Hollway, J. L. Boden ; M. B. Marwood (Capt.', P. C Campbell; E. Antrobus, A. H. Moffatt, J. Morris, R. M. Deas, A. D. Barnsdale, J. T. Harding, J. B. Dixon, J. Russell.

The game was all in favour of the School in the first half, the forwards pressing hard : but good kicking by the Ampleforth backs prevented them from scoring. At full-back for St. Peter's, Thompson played a brilliant game. There was no score in the ifirst half.

St. Peter's, Nil; Ampleforth, Nil.

In the second half, play fluctuated between the two halves. Weighill broke away to score a try for Ampleforth ; the kick failed. Shortly after this Weighill broke away again, and the kick just fell short of the posts. St. Peter's replied strongly, and from a tight scrum, near the Ampleforth line, Russell scrambled over to score for St. Peter's. The ball was very greasy by now, and Marwood failed to convert. St. Peter's pressed and dominated the play for the last ten minutes, and only bad luck prevented them from scoring again.

Final score :- St. Peter's 2nd XV, 3 pts. ; Ampleforth 2nd XV, 6 pts.

RUGBY SEVEN-A-SIDE INTER-HOUSE TOURNAMENT.

Played February 26th, 1936. Winners : School House.

It was decided to follow the precedent set last year and to award the Rhodes Cup to the winner of an American Tournament.

The Rise and House "Sevens" were evenly matched on paper, and the Rise went on to the field favourites by reason of their formidable backs.

The Rise played the Day Boys and made short work of them, as was to be expected of the faster and heavier side. The eventual score was 26-3, the handsome margin of points being secured by Douglas (2), Newman, Watson, Lund, and Barnsdale—four of which were converted by P. C. Campbell. Lockwood kicked a penalty goal for the Day Boys.

Then followed the eagerly awaited duel between the Rise and the House, and both "Sevens" were desperately keen to win. The House kicked off, playing towards the new pavilion. After a brief spurt of offensive thrust by the Rise, the House forwards .established a striking superiority over the Rise pack, and thus

enabled the House backs to thrust through the gallant tackling bythe Rise backs. The scoring was opened by Graham, finishing with a burst of speed beneath the posts, Smart and Marwood also having a hand in the achievement. At half-time the score was. still 3-0.

In the second half the House swiftly assumed completemastery of the game. Hawkins increased the House lead with a capital try scored from the Rise " 25," after a pass by Smart. Soon afterwards Graham put the House further ahead with a good try beneath the posts : the House's success was sealed. The Risecontinued to make desperate efforts, but in the closing stages of the game the House superiority was only too clearly demonstrated. The House "Seven" deserved their victory of 9-0. Without presuming to analyse the victory too minutely or to draw invidious contrasts, it is safe to say that the determined crash-tackling of the House laid the foundation of their success, and that, whileHawkins played an exceptionally good game for one so in-- experienced by comparison with the majority of combatants,. Graham was the "star" back of the game.

The House proceeded to inflict a sound defeat upon the Day Boys, although it was apparent to all that the "sting" and "snap'' had departed from the House with the final whistle of the House-Rise match. The ultimate score of 17-0 was made up of three tries by Smart and one each by Marwood and Eastwood, plus oneconversion. Some good running and kicking were seen in this. game, but rain had rendered the ball greasy.

The House :—G. E. L. Graham ; M. B. Marwood, C. A. Smart (Capt.); R. G. Hawkins ; I. A. Campbell, B. J. Eastwood,. I. L. Lupton.

RUGGER RETROSPECT.

The past season may be divided into three separate and' entirely different stages, a very promising start, which included comfortable wins over Durham and North Ribblesdale, and a narrow win over York, a very bad mid-period when four successive School matches were lost, and a very successful finish which included a win over Ampleforth, a draw with Worksop, and a somewhat unlucky defeat by Yorkshire Wanderers by a penalty goal to nil.

At the beginning and end of the term the team, with complete confidence, played good football which was delightful to watch, but some of their displays during the middle of the term can only be described as feeble, and having seen what they could do both at the beginning and end of the term the poor form shown in these mid-term matches is difficult to account for, but several factors . seemed to contribute towards it. In the first place, the term was an unlucky one with regard to injuries, and after the Durham

match we never had the same team for two successive matches... Secondly, several of the senior members of the fifteen suffered a temporary loss of form during this period. Thirdly, all four School matches which were lost were played away from home, and theteam had to undertake four journeys within a fortnight. Finally, and closely associated with the last, there was the comparativeyouthfulness of the team and the consequent more pronounced psychological effect resulting in them taking more time to settledown when playing away from home. A good start is half-way to success, and these games were lost in the first twenty minutes.

The team was fortunate in having in Stead, a captain who was. ever a trier, and who refused to be discouraged by his misfortunes, an excellent full-back, and a very lively trio of back-row forwards.

Any forward who has ever played in front of an uncertain. full-back will appreciate the joy of playing with Lockwood behind, him. He combined complete and absolute safety with brilliance,. and it is sufficient to say that he hardly put a foot wrong all season. The back-row forwards, too, were above the average, and distinguished themselves collectively by their loose rushes, and individually, Newman, by his opportunism and backing-up of thethree-quarters, McLean by his leadership and spoiling tactics, and Lupton by his superb dribbling. Baines, too, gave yeoman service in the pack, and at least two magnificent efforts of his in the Ampleforth match deserve mention ; one, the only try of thematch ; the other a very fine tackle of an Ampleforth wing three-. quarter, which saved a dangerous situation. The pack, although. lively in the loose, were light and lacked height, and consequentlywere usually beaten for possession both in the set scrummages and in the line-outs. In the Ampleforth match the forwards cannot have obtained the ball more than once or twice in every ten scrums, and it is greatly to the credit of the defence of the backs that ma, points were scored against them.

Given the opportunities the backs combined well together and showed considerable thrust and ingenuity in attack, but, unfortunately, these opportunities were limited.

In conclusion, let it be said that although several of the games. were disappointing, a season which brings us victories over our old rivals, Durham and Ampleforth, in addition to satisfactory results with such formidable opponents as Worksop, • YorkshireWanderers, York, and North Ribblesdale, may be regarded with. considerable satisfaction.

Of the '2nd XV it is difficult to write. The persistent demand' for their players by the 1st XV prevented them from ever settling down as a team. The forwards, with a few exceptions, were veryyoung and inexperienced, hut, under the leadership of Antrobus, they managed to weld themselves into a hard-working and efficient

.pack, well up to standard. The half-backs, Marwood and P. C. Campbell, both of whom had 1st XV experience, were well above the average and should be a great acquisition next season. Of the three-quarters, Lund, with little experience, was a prolific scorer, scoring six tries in one match alone, against Leeds Grammar School, but none of the others were impressive, and two of them must improve their tackling before they can hope to go further. ,Cheong at full-back, if not spectacular, was safe, and did all that .was required of him.

Points. P. W. L. D. F. A. 1st XV ... 12 4 7 1 60 130 2nd XV ... 9 3 5 1 82 105

1st XV CHARACTERS.

W. STEAD.—Captain. Centre three-quarter. A very enthusiastic and hard-working captain. Maintained the previous season's good form in attack, while his defence was greatly improved.

N. BAINES.—Forward. Always an enthusiastic and hardworking forward; had. a disappointing first-half of the season, but played some splendid games during the second half.

Gets through a tremendous amount of hard work in the tight, but seems quite unable to position himself in the loose. N. A. NEWMAN.—Forward. The most versatile member of the fifteen, and suffered accordingly. Fast, with good hands, and an excellent tackler, he was continually dropping back to help his backs. Dealt with opposing attacks on the blind-side quickly and effectively. <K. LOCKWOOD.—Full-back. Maintained last season's brilliant form, his positional play and fielding being almost faultless. C. A. SMART.—Stand-off-half. Showed rather variable form.

At his best he was a very dangerous attacking player, especially when near his opponents' line. Overdoes the punt ahead as an attacking move. D. McLEAN.—Forward. An intelligent and very successful leader with the happy knack of getting that extra effort out of the pack. As an open-side-wing-forward, gave several opposing fly-halves a worrying afternoon. ;A. W. DOUGLAS.—Wing Three-quarter. Fast, with a powerful physique and deceptive side-step, was a prolific scorer in the opening matches, but was well-marked during the latter half of the season. Defence greatly improved, but still needs .-strengthening. Must learn to tackle with determination.