O.T.C. News and Report

A powerful Ballet of sleep-dispellers will go through their marvellously energetic and agile performance assisted by a master of ceremonies, two cats, and a hornpipe. The Scene is laid in the Palace, the Royal Gardens, and the interior of a General's Tent in the encampment on the plains of Queerumania.

The Overture, the Music between the Acts and that incidental to the TWELFTH NIGHT, with the Ballet Music in CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS, will be kindly rendered by Mrs. STEPHENSON, Mr. F. K. HATTERSLEY, and Mr. A. SAMPLE.

Shakespeare's songs, " Come away, come away Death " and " 0 Mistress Mine," from the Twelfth Night, by Mrs. STEPHENSON. Berthold's " Cats' Duet," by Messrs. W. H. JACKSON and J. H. MALLINSON.

All the Scenery used has been painted by the Amateur Scenic Artists of the School.

The Dresses and Properties by SAMUEL MAY, Costumier, Bow-street, London.

Last term's O.T.C. programme was a larger one than is usual for an Easter Term, but at the same time it was very popular and exceedingly instructive, and we would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have helped in any way to make it such a success.

On February 9th, E. N. Dickenson, J. D. Ambler, A. C. W. Ping and C. J. Lynch went up to the Depot of the West Yorkshire Regt. under C.S.M. Dickenson, where they took their Certificate "A" Practical exam. All four are to be congratulated on passing, and we would like to take this opportunity of thanking Lt.-Col. V. A. H. Daly, M.C., and the Officers of the Depot for entertaining them to lunch in the Officers' Mess. At the same time, we would like to extend our thanks to Col. Daly for his kindness in coming down to talk to the Corps about the new organisation and arms of the mechanized army. To make his talk more interesting he brought along with him two of the new Morris Com- mercial Army Trucks, and this was fully appreciated by all.

Lectures to the Certificate "A" theoretical candidates were given last term by Capt. R. G. Glendining, of the West 27

Yorkshire Depot, and by Capt. P. H. Sykes. The lectures were mainly concerned with the practical advantages and disadvantages of the new organisation, and most things were covered fairly fully before the exam, the results of which will be in our next issue.

Shortly before half-term we had a War Office visit, when Lieut.-Colonel the Viscount Bridgeman, M.C., of the General Staff, came down to see us. For the visit we just had our ordinary parade with No. 2 Platoon doing section drill and the recruits under the instructor; the Certificate "A" Platoon were having a lecture in the lecture room. After watching part of the parade, Viscount Bridgeman made a thorough tour of the armoury, the store-room and the Rifle Range. If we may be permitted to say it, we would like to point out that a visit or inspection of this type seems to be of much more practical value than the ordinary rehearsed annual inspection, when things are not always seen in their ordinary light.

On Friday, March 5th, the Corps were given a whole holiday by the Headmaster and a very interesting day was arranged by Capt. P. H. Sykes in conjunction with the 5th Division and the War Office. We left the School after chapel and marched up to Fulford Barracks ; haversack rations were taken and rifles and pouches were left behind. To many of us the most enjoyable event was when the band and drums of the York and Lancaster Regiment met us and marched us into the Cavalry Barracks. We would like to say here how very much this was appreciated, and thank Bandmaster E. S. Evans for his kindness in parading the band for us.

For the first part of our visit we were entertained by Lieut.-Colonel M. O'M Creagh, M.C., of the 15th/19th Hussars, who had arranged some very interesting demonstrations for the Corps, and we are all most grateful to him and the other officers concerned for providing such a very good show. We spent most of this time in the indoor riding " school," where recruits are taught most of their riding and jumping. From a gallery we watched a troop being drilled in various formations ; this was followed by demonstrations of different forms of jumping, and it finished with a display of training a riderless horse. It was all very instructive, and we would like to thank especially Lieut. N. A. Courage who gave a commentary on each of the various items. We then went outside and watched an expert give a demonstration of the many different uses of the sword when on horseback, and to conclude the demonstrations we saw a piece of exceedingly clever trick riding with arms crossed, a fine ending to an enjoyable and instructive visit. 28

For the rest of the day we were with the 1st Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, who are commanded by Lieut.-Colonel H. E. de R. Wetherall, D.S.O., M.C., to whom we are most grateful for arranging such a thorough tour of the barracks. On arrival we were split up into small parties, each with a guide, and in this way the Corps visited and had explained to them all the different parts of the barracks, from the Cookhouse to the extraordinarily interesting Officers' Mess. Lunch time arrived and we ate our haversack rations in the Canteen, where other edibles could be purchased at will; the officers being entertained in the Officers' Mess.

Last, but not least, came what was considered by many to be the most interesting and instructive—the taking part in some anti-gas drill. This took place in the miniature range, where most of the Corps were supplied with masks of the ordinary service pattern. A detailed description and demonstration of how to use the respirators was given by Capt. G. Parker, whom we would like to thank for providing such novel instruction. Just to conclude, the officers and 1st class shots of the Corps fired five rounds each at a large target while they were wearing the respirators, and some good scores were returned. So ended a tiring but instructive day, and once again we would like to thank all those who did so much towards making it so successful.

Our last special parade consisted of a visit in mufti to Lumley Barracks to have some instruction given us about the guns of the 1st West Riding Battery of the Durham and West Riding Medium Brigade R.A. This was arranged by Major K. G. Chilman, and we are grateful both to him and the instructor for providing us with such an instructive afternoon.

The annual inspection is on June 16th, and will be carried out by Colonel H. A. R. Aubrey, O.B.E., M.C., Commanding 146th Infantry Brigade.

This year the O.T.C. will attend the camp at Strensall from July 27th to August 4th. The Brigade Commander will be Lieut.-Colonel H. E. de R. Wetherall, D.S.O., M.C., Officer Commanding 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.

Last term the band put in a great deal of hard work under C.S.M. Dickenson, who had a difficult job in training an almost completely inexperienced corps of drums, while Sergt. Harding worked hard to bring the buglers up to standard, so that by camp the band should be up to its usual efficiency. We would like to thank both of them for the valuable training they have given to the band, when really they have both retired from it. 29

The following passed Certificate "A" Theoretical last term :—P. B. Cockburn, R. S. Dixon, J. T. Harding, J. M. Rucklidge, G. E. Shepherd, J. A. Ware, J. A. Wright.

The following promotions took place during last term :C.Q.M.S. Dickenson was promoted to C.S.M. Sergeant Graham was promoted to C.Q.M.S. Corporal Harding was promoted to Sergeant. Cadets Cockburn, Rucklidge and Dixon were promoted to Corporals. Cadets Ping, Dent, Shepherd, Lynch, Rylatt, Davin,

Brockbank, Ware and Wright were promoted to Lance

Corporals.

We would like here to express our thanks to Capt. A. G. Fairrie, M.B.E., of the Cameron Highlanders, for the lectures he gave to the Certificate "A" candidates during last Christmas Term, and for the other ways in which he has helped the Corps.

ROLL OF N.C.O.'s.

C.S.M.: J. M. Dickenson. C.Q.M.S.: G. E. L. Graham. Sergeant : J. T. Harding. Corporals : P. B. Cockburn, J. M. Rucklidge, R. S. Dixon. Lance Corporals : J. T. Brockbank, V. L. F. Davin, J. A. Dent,

C. J. Lynch, A. C. W. Ping, S. R. H. Rylatt, G. E.

Shepherd, J. A. Ware, J. A. Wright.

SHOOTING.

There was no shooting at all last term, and fixtures had to be cancelled because of the lack of time for practice. It is hoped, however, that there will be more activity at the Range this term, when there are the Inter-House and InterSection competitions.

HOCKEY.

EASTER TERM, 1937. 1st XI RESULTS. Jan. 30. Leeds Corinthians H.C. ... Home • • • Scratched Feb. 6. Ben Rhydding H.C. ... Home • • • Lost 5-7 „ 13. Leeds University H.C. ... Home • • • Scratched „ 17. Hull University H.C. ... Home • • • Scratched „ 20. The Manchester Regiment Away • • • Lost 2-7 „ 24. Styx H.C. Home • • • Lost 2-5 , 27. Scarborough H.C. Away . • • Scratched Mar. 6. Worksop College ... Away • • • Scratched „ 13. Hull H.C. ... Home • • • Drn. 2-2 „ 15. "A" XI v. Bootham School... Away • • • Won 4-0 „ 17. York H.C. ... Away • • • Aband'ed „ 20. Doncaster H.C. ... Home • • • Aband'ed April 6. Old Peterites ... Home • • • Won 6 4 30

HOCKEY RETROSPECT.

We are assured by older hockey players that this has been the worst season for weather within living memory. A glance at the fixture list above will tell the tale that out of a total of thirteen matches we had to scratch or abandon no fewer than seven. It has been very disappointing, not only because we had matches scratched, but because the grounds were so consistently saturated that we could have very few practice games. Consequently the results of the season must not be looked upon too unfavourably ; allowances must be made for the lack of ordinary practice as well as match practice, and for the extreme youthfulness of the team as a whole.

It must be said for the team that they kept very well together, seeing that everything militated against the formation of a team, and they played one very good game against the Styx H.C.. In this game the School were opposed by a team composed of several county and other very experienced players, and they really put up a splendid fight; that is to say, though their hockey was not of a very high standard, their determination was most praiseworthy.

The team played the best hockey of the term in the last match of all when they beat the Old Peterites by six goals to four. In this match the side adapted themselves to the conditions of a sticky ground, and some of the passing movements were quite exemplary. Congratulations to the XI on closing the season with so fine a game.

There are players in the team who will be most useful to the side when they have gained more experience and improved in physique, and we ought to be able to look forward to a good nucleus around which to build a team next year.

A word to those " middles " and juniors who, because of the weather, suffered more than seniors : it must be realised that this was an exceptional year for unfit grounds, and it is to be hoped that next year they will get as much hockey as they wish. Furthermore, let it be remembered that there are definite signs of talent amongst the younger players, and with perseverence and the same enthusiasm they will find places in the 1st XI either next year or the year afterwards.

Summary of matches :- Won 2, Lost 3, Drawn 1, Scratched or Abandoned 7, Goals for 21, Goals against 25. * * * 1st XI CHARACTERS. G. E. L. GRAHAM (Captain, Centre-forward). A player who would have shown much better form had the grounds been dry. Neat with stick and a quick shot.

Set the team a good example in dash and intelligence. 31

A. T. H. WRIGHT (Inside-left). Showed improvement on last season in being quicker in following up and tackling back, but was handicapped by wet grounds. J. H. HARDING (Right Back). A player who learnt the game very quickly. Seemed to have an instinct for forestalling a pass, and learnt to clear very well. E. R. GOSSOP (Right-half). A much improved played who sent across some good passes. Needs more speed and must curb a tendency to give " sticks." Positions well. M. S. HALL (Left Back). A plucky but unpolished player.

Showed great dash on occasions and often cleared well, but clumsy with his stick. G. P. G. STEPHENSON (Goalkeeper). Made some good saves in the middle of the season, but rather lost his form towards the end. Must think more quickly. T. F. CAMERON (Outside-right). Will be good with more experience. Has a fine turn of speed, but must learn to do more on his own. V. L. F. DAVIN (Centre-half). Did not come up to expectations. Showed determination but apt to be rather wild, and bad at positioning himself. H. P. COLE (Left-half). A young player. Neat with his stick and good at positioning, but must learn to hit the ball harder and send across long passes to inside-right. S. P. H. RYLATT (Outside-left). Neat with his stick but lacks dash and speed. J. T. BROCKBANK (Inside-right). Came into the side late in the season, and did not get into his stride until the last match. Needs a lot more experience.

Also played:— H. A. MILBURN (Inside-right). A young player who understands the game. Will be useful later when he has more speed and strength. * * *

ST. PETER'S v. BEN RHYDDING.

Played at St. Peter's on February 6th. Result: Lost, 5-7.

This was the School's first match, and owing to the 'flu epidemic many regular members were unable to play. To strengthen the side the School team included K. G. Chilman, Esq., R. M. Cooper, Esq., and G. S. Stead, Esq. For the first twenty minutes the ground was fairly flat, but owing to its softness soon became very bumpy.

The School started with a quick goal by Graham in the first few minutes and continued to do most of the attacking for about 15 minutes, but weak finishing in the circle lost at least one goal. Ben Rhydding availed themselves of their opportunities and had scored twice by half-time. In the second half Ben Rhydding broke through the School defence 32

twice very early on, and scored each time. K. G. Chilman cleared the ball to the wing, who dribbled up the field and centred, R. M. Cooper having no difficulty in scoring. Play remained in mid-field for some time until the Ben Rhydding centre-forward scored after a good passing movement. Two more goals were scored by each side during the last ten minutes—R. M. Cooper and Graham scoring for the School. The strongest part of the School side was the half-back line, where K. G. Chilman and G. S. Stead did much useful work. The full-backs, although young and inexperienced, did a lot of hard work, and Dixon proved himself a useful and courageous goalkeeper.

Team :—R. S. Dixon ; R. N. Rimmer, F. F. Steele ; E. R. Gossop, K. G. Chilman, G. S. Stead ; T. F. Cameron, A. T. H. Wright, G. E. L. Graham, R. M. Cooper, S. P. H. Rylatt. * * *

ST. PETER'S v. 2nd BN. THE MANCHESTER REGT.

Played at Strensall on February 20th. Result: Lost, 2-7

This was the first time the School had played on a hard ground during the season, and were very often defeated by the speed at which the ball travelled.

The Manchesters opened the scoring in the first few minutes with a good flick goal from a narrow angle. The School then attacked, but owing to their weakness in the circle missed a goal off a centre from Rylatt.

The good stickwork of the army forwards gave them two more quick goals before the School retaliated with a good shot by Wright, which was well saved by the Manchesters' goalkeeper. Just before half-time the Army scored again—this time they went up the field passing from one wing to another until the centre-forward scored with an easy shot. Half-time came with the Manchester Regiment leading by four goals to nil.

In the second half the School started with new life, and a neat passing movement between the inside forwards resulted in a goal by Graham. The Manchesters were then awarded a penalty corner from which they scored ; none of the School side seemed to make any effort to stop them ! After the bully-off the ball went to the right wing, where Cameron dribbled up and gave a gentle pass to Graham, who had no difficulty in scoring. In the last few minutes the Army side scored two more quick goals—the School by this time were tired, owing to the speed at which the game had been played. Final score, St. Peter's 2 goals, 2nd Manchesters 7 goals.

Team :— R. S. Dixon ; J. T. Harding, G. H. Briggs ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole ; T. F. Cameron, H. A. Milburn, G. E. L. Graham, A. T. H. Wright, S. P. H. Rylatt. 33

ST. PETER'S v. STYX H.C. Played at St. Peter's on February 24th. Result : Lost, 2-5.

After about four or five days of sun and wind the Hockey Field looked more like a field than a mud patch, and one could walk on it without sinking in; in fact, for York the field was hard, and it was a fine day in spite of gloomy weather forecasts about snow.

The School went away from the start and put up a very good fight in spite of the strong, experienced side against them. The Styx were the first scorers with two quick goals —one from a good passing movement and the other from a goal-mouth scramble. Play then went from end to end, both sides' full-backs clearing well. After a good centre from Rylatt and another goal-mouth scramble, Graham scored for the School with a flick. The Styx were then awarded a penalty corner off which R. P. Warin had no difficulty in scoring. The backs had now been running about a lot and were rather tired, and the Styx took advantage of this by attacking with long passes, until Warin, who is always in the right place, scored off a first-time shot. The School then attacked hard and managed to keep the ball in their opponents' " 25 " until they were awarded a penalty corner. Rylatt took the corner, Davin stopped it cleanly and Graham scored with a hard, clean shot. The whistle then went for half-time with the score : School 2, Styx 4.

In the second half the School were determined to make up the two goals, and they played a very good game, remembering what they had been told at half-time about hard, long passes.

The play was up and down the field the whole time. The School backs clearing hard and the forwards racing up the field to try to score off hard centres by Cameron and Rylatt. There was only one goal scored in the second half, and that was by the Styx after a hard tussle in the circle, and the score was 5-2 against the School when the final whistle went.

Team :—G. P. G. Stephenson ; J. T. Harding, M. S. Hall ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole ; Cameron, H. A. Milburn, G. E. L. Graham, A. T. H. Wright, S. P. H. Rylatt. * * *

ST. PETER'S v. HULL H.C.

Played at St. Peter's on March 13th. Result: Drawn, 2-2.

The field was very wet for this match owing to much rain during the previous night, but by this time the School were accustomed to water. St. Peter's started with a rush ; the ball was moved from the centre to the wings and back to 34

Milburn, at inside-right. He centred to Graham in the circle, who scored with a first-time shot. Hull then started with a hard attack by their right wing, but Harding and Hall tackled and cleared with pleasing regularity, until the School were once more attacking. A short corner against Hull just failed to score, and gull cleared the ball to the School half. A hard shot from the Hull right wing was deflected off one of the School backs' foot and resulted in a goal for Hull. Play then went from end to end, Graham missing an easy goal, until half-time came with the score at one all.

The second half started with renewed vigour on both sides. Hull did most of the attacking and only missed scoring by bad shooting: they eventually scored a goal after a scramble round the goal-mouth. The School then attacked, but their inside forwards seemed to be unable to make use of their opportunities in the circle. Another goal came to the School after a good centre from Rylatt and a second-time shot from Graham.

Two more corners were awarded, but the ground being slow, Graham was unable to score. Cameron had bad luck in not scoring during the last few minutes of the game. His shot went over the cross-bar. Full-time went with the score : St. Peter's 2, Hull H.C. 2.

The chief point about this match was the good tackling and clearing by the full-backs.

Team :—G. P. G. Stephenson ; J. T. Harding, M. S. Hall ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole ; T. F. Cameron, H. A. Milburn, G. E. L. Graham, A. T. H. Wright, S. P. H. Rylatt. * * *

ST. PETER'S "A" XI v. BOOTHAM SCHOOL 1st XI.

Played on Bootham School Ground on March 15th. Result: Won, 4-0.

This match was played at Bootham on a fairly soft, uneven ground. The School side went straight into the attack but did not score owing to their weakness in the circle. The Bootham full-backs fought hard and managed to clear the ball to their forwards. However, Hall soon relieved any pressure on the School goal. The first goal for the School was scored by Brockbank, who took advantage of a scramble round the Bootham goal. Bootham then attacked, but were repelled and play remained in mid-field for the rest of this half.

In the second half the School started with a quick goal by Milburn, who scored off a pass from one of the halves. After the bully, Bootham attacked, but, like the School, they were weak in the circle. The next goal was scored by Gossop, who backed up the forwards well. Just before full- 35

time Brockbank scored again off a through pass from Capaldi. Score : St. Peter's "A" 4, Bootham School 0.

Team :—R. S. Dixon ; M. S. Hall, I. S. Mackay ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole ; T. F. Cameron, H. A. Milburn, A. Capaldi, J. T. Brockbank, S. P. H. Rylatt. * * ST. PETER'S v. YORK H.C.

Played on Bootham School' . Ground on March 17th. Result: Abandoned.

This match was played on the Bootham Hockey Ground, this being the only ground in York which was not completely under water.

The School were very sluggish and slow in starting, and York scored quite early on. Most of the play was in the School half, and the backs were not clearing as well as in previous matches. Another goal was scored by York just before half-time.

In the second half the game was abandoned owing to a thunderstorm and bad light, which made further play quite impossible.

Team :—G. P. G. Stephenson ; J. T. Harding, M. S. Hall ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole; T. F. Cameron, G. E. L. Graham, A. Capaldi, A. T. H. Wright, S. P. H. Rylatt. * * ST. PETER'S v. DONCASTER H.C. Played at St. Peter's on March 20th. Result: Abandoned.

For this match the pitch was very wet, making play almost impossible. For the most part of the game, play was very even, the ball flying from one end of the field to the other. Both sets of backs defended, effectively, although the School forwards were at times only just frustrated. Graham figured prominently in these attacks and had bad luck in not scoring.

There were rather a lot of " sticks " against the School, but these were only in the first few minutes of the game, when the School seemed a trifle worried; however, this wore off and the School settled down to fight hard for a goal.

This was not forthcoming, but owing to some misunderstanding the Doncaster left wing got away, and after a slight tussle in the School goal-mouth the ball was pushed into the goal.

During most of the game hail had been falling with increasing force. This finally made play impossible and the match was abandoned after twenty minutes' play.

ST. PETER'S v. THE OLD PETERITES. Played at St. Peter's on April 6th. Result: Won, 6 4.

Although it was a warm day, the ground was fairly soft and uneven. The O.P.'s opened the scoring in the first ten minutes with a goal by Yardley. The School, who had not played a game for about a week, took some time to get into their stride. By this time they had learned the importance of long, hard passes, and this soon rewarded them when Brockbank scored off a through pass by Graham. Although the O.P.'s had a fairly strong team out the School did their share of attacking, and were awarded a penalty corner from which Graham scored. The ball was moved up and down the field, but both sides' full-backs cleared well. Yardley managed to score from a very narrow angle with a flick shot, thus bringing the score up to 2 all. Just before half-time Graham scored off a hard centre from Cameron. The score at half-time was St. Peter's 3 goals, Old Peterites 2 goals.

Early on in the second half the O.P.'s managed to get an equalising goal through J. S. Atkinson. From this time until just before the end the School did most of the attacking and Graham scored two quick goals, one off a centre from Cameron and the other off a centre from Rylatt. The best goal of the afternoon came when Brockbank scored with a hard first-time drive off a centre from Rylatt. Just before the final whistle Yardley, whose shots had been going rather wide scored after dribbling through the School backs to make the final score 6 4 in the School's favour.

This was undoubtedly the best game the School played during the season ; they played as a team and sent out some really good long passes, and by so doing they beat an old boys' team composed of several brilliant individuals. The School forward line was at its best and a special word of praise is due to them for the way they played, and coupled with them must be mentioned the School full-backs and the goalkeeper, who stopped many dangerous attacks.

Teams :—St. Peter's :—G. P. G. Stephenson ; J. T. Harding, M. S. Hall ; E. R. Gossop, V. L. F. Davin, H. P. Cole; T. F. Cameron, J. T. Brockbank, G. E. L. Graham, A. T. H. Wright, S. P. H. Rylatt.

Old Peterites :—K. G. Chilman ; J. M. Atkinson, N. W. Smithson; E. A. Whitaker, R. Ogley, H. A. Butler; S. G. S. Pawle, J. S. Atkinson, B. A. C. Grey, N. W. D. Yardley, I. H. Segar.

INTER-HOUSE HOCKEY.

The draw for the Hockey was as follows :- School House v. Temple House. Winners v. Clifton Rise.

The School House first played the Templars on Monday, March 22nd, but this had to be abandoned owing to snow. They finally played on Good Friday. The School House won, and beat the Rise in the final on Wednesday, March 31st. * *

SCHOOL HOUSE v. TEMPLE HOUSE.

Played on the Squash Court Field on March 22nd.

The game started briskly, Temple House showing great dash from the start, but the School House defended well. However, there was no real power behind the School House attack, G. E. L. Graham being absent. The Temple forwards then attacked again and again and but for the skilful defence work on the part of Harding and Rimmer and some plucky saves on the part of Dixon in goal they would have scored many times. Snow was falling very fast, and as visibility was almost nil the game was abandoned till Friday. Friday, 26th March.

The semi-finals were played again, as the former match had been abandoned.

This time the Temple forwards were determined to get an easy victory, but they were frustrated time after time by the able defence of Harding and Rimmer. Dixon in goal made some good saves. Half-time came and there was no score. In the second half the pace was fierce, and the Templars were very determined; however, one noticed that the House forwards got a lot more of the ball than they did in the first half.

About four minutes from full-time P. R. G. Graham, after a brilliant attack on the part of the House forwards, put the ball in the Temple goal-mouth. Play then became rather wild, but there was no further score.

Final score : School House 1, Temple House 0. * * * RISE v. SCHOOL HOUSE. Played on the Pavilion Field on March 31st.

The game was played on a very good, hard ground. The Rise started off with an attack which had not very much power behind it and the House backs had no difficulty in repulsing it. From then until half-time the ball was chiefly in the Rise half, but bad shooting and bad positioning of the House forwards resulted in no score.

In the second half the House settled down to some hard work, and in a short time Graham scored with a flick goal. 38