DURHAM SCHOOL.
3rd December, 1950. Dear Sir, Without wishing to arouse any ill-feeling, I feel bound to inform the readers of your magazine that several statements in the rowing reports of last term's "Peterite" were without foundation. The Durham third IV had rowed together for less than seven weeks and not for four months, and the first IV had had the same period of practice. The plain truth is that this year the standard of the Durham crews was distinctly better than St. Peter's. The opposite was the case in the previous year, which is probably all to the good. We hope to have some more enjoyable races next year, and trust that your accounts will rival those of the "Dunelmian" for their straightforward veracity. Yours respectfully, VERITATEM PETAMUS.
RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1951 RETROSPECT When we come to reflect upon the past season and compare it with some of its predecessors, whose fame was spread far and wide, unquestionably one comes to the conclusion that this year's XV have had a raw deal—no limelight, no publicity and no glory bestowed upon them. Perhaps this was only to be expected after the thrill and excitement of the previous year, but how near were they themselves to emulating such achievements— SCHOOL MATCHES.
1949. Played 8, Won 8, Points for 90, Points against 36. 1950. Played 7, Won 6, Lost 1, Points for 95, Points against 43. This record clearly speaks for itself, and it was backed up by an equally successful 2nd XV. No one dared to hope, let alone prophesy, that the team would meet with such success, and it is greatly to their credit that they maintained the spirit and standard of play of their forerunners of last season. With only 7 of last year's 1st XXX remaining to do service once again, it was not surprising that a shaky start to the season was made, thanks to inexperience and the necessity for team-building. In fact, with 90 points scored against them in their first four matches, it was all the more remarkable that the team held together, regained their confidence, and played better and better rugger from then on to the end of the season, winning all the remaining seven matches. Spirit was never lacking, and where there is a will, there is a way. 45
