Rugby Football

twenty-eight Scouts were old friends. This has thrown an added burden of responsibility on the Patrol Leaders (Bradshaw, Bytheway, Ormiston and Yeomans) and they have responded to the challenge very well. However, most of the places were filled by Scouts from St. Olave's who were already Second Class; and the Tenderfeet are a brighter lot than usual.

Training on all levels has proceeded steadily throughout the term, with an occasional wide game by way of a change. But the most memorable event of the term was the Field Day on 28th October. The four patrols set off on cross-country hikes from Strensall, Stamford Bridge, Sand Hutton and Bugthorpe, all converging on Kirkham Abbey. During the hike each member of the patrol had an allotted task to perform similar in nature to that required for First Class Journeys. These reports were then collected and written up by the Patrol Leaders, and the final Hike Reports were very commendable. The Scouters intercepted the patrols en route for lunch and organised a first-aid exercise at Kirkham : the results of the latter were far from commendable. Nevertheless all agreed over tea (transported by the indefatigable Austin) that it had been a good day.

Term ended with a bigger and better Camp Fire which is separately reviewed. It is only necessary here to thank those members of this Troop who contributed towards its success.

RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1958

RETROSPECT

To the game as a whole, the 1958-59 season will always be remembered for the introduction of what are still commonly called the "new" rules. The learning of these and their implications became our first task. We had to accustom ourselves to the idea that the sight of a scrum-half, lying full-stretch on the ground while placing the ball for a conversion, was now a thing of the past; so, too, in large measure had the playing of the ball with the foot after a tackle disappeared; instead we were to see a palpable knock-on under the "old" rules being permitted after a kick, and strange things happening with "near" feet in the front row of a scrummage.

To the new rules we can lay no blame for our lack of success, but rather must we blame our own shortcomings, and the fact that as the season progressed, so the team went to pieces.

Admittedly the 1957 list of "valetes" had skimmed off all the cream and much besides, and retrospects of recent years had referred to disappointing seasons for the Colts teams; yet, in spite of these ill omens, the season began not unsatisfactorily and not without some measure of hope. From the very first practice game, however, one very dangerous weakness was exposed, which in the end became the 33

root cause of all our troubles—none other than thoroughly bad tackling. This disease eventually eats into the very heart and soul of any team and before long reveals a host of other weaknesses. As a result 172 points were scored "against", many more than in the unsuccessful season of 1954, and 92 points were scored "for", more, in fact, than in many previous seasons. Considering that only two school matches were won, both early in the season, this excessive number of points, both "for" and "against", can partly be attributed to the "new" rules and the open play, which they successfully encouraged.

One strange fact remains—of the 92 points scored by the 1st XV, 65 of them were gained in the first four matches before M. J. Kershaw was injured in the Denstone match. From that time onwards until the end of the season, only one further try was scored, the balance being penalties. In all fairness to Kershaw, such a situation grossly flattered him, although his loss for the remainder of the season was a bitter blow.

The Kershaw-McCallum combination in the centre was gaining impetus and was clearly to be the key to our success. The injury to the former seemed to blunt the whole of the attacking power and the team's scoring potential was virtually crippled. A recovery was never forthcoming.

The cobwebs of one poor season are not easily brushed aside; memories linger and old hands do not necessarily improve. Happily, however, the Colts team this year have latterly shown considerable improvement, and many should surmount successfully in one season the considerable gap that still exists between Colts rugger and 1st XV match-play.

SEASON 1958-59

1st XV.—R. L. Evans; W. M. Howard, A. McCallum,* M. J. Kershaw,

L. H. K. Mackay, J. J. Rhodes; J. B. Robinson, M. Precious; I. S. T.

Dutton, A. W. Raylor, D. L. Slade, J. 0. Armstrong, D. L. W. Sim,

J. A. Bygate, J. B. Mathews* (Capt.), E. M. H. Ranson. * Caps. 2nd XV.—P. N. B. Smith;* M. K. Oldham, C. D. Ibberson, A. H. Crowther,

J. M. Smith; J. W. S. Gale,* W. E. Bagnall; C. W. Gough, T. D. J.

Layfield* (Capt.), T. E. H. Sabben-Clare, P. Hodgson,* P. J. Burton,

P. A. Crossley,* R. A. Hodgson, F. C. Beaumont. * Colours. Colts XV.—S. R. Hutchinson; C. J. Territt, A. J. De Mulder,* J. M.

Holdsworth,* R. A. Wood; R. Priestley, U. A. Alexander; A. R. Ward,

F. J. A. Hewitt, J. M. D. Kirk,* D. H. Fletcher, M. W. Territt, G. P.

Robinson,* R. G. Armstrong* (Capt.), M. W. Foster. * Colours. Junior Colts XV.—M. C. M. Jesper; R. H. Parker, M. T. Bell, C. J. Parker,

G. R. Monfort; J. D. M. Hackney (Capt.), J. A. B. Carruthers; P. Collins,

D. H. Rhodes, M. Raley, J. R. Brown, M. A. Clegg, J. J. Kettlewell,

J. V. Noel, R. L. Bruce.

Result F. A.

Wed., 8th Oct. Headingley "A" Wed., 15th Oct. Durham School ...

Home Lost 11 24 Home Won 11 6 Sat., 18th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... Home Lost 14 18 Wed., 22nd Oct. Trent College ... Away Won 29 3 Sat., 25th Oct. Denstone College ... Home Lost 3 14 Sat., 1st Nov. Harrogate R.F.C. Colts ... Home Lost 9 18 Sat., 8th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ... Away Lost 3 9 Sat., 15th Nov. Giggleswick School ... Home Lost 3 15 Sat., 22nd Nov. Ampleforth College Away Lost 3 19 Sat., 29th Nov. Worksop College Away Lost 3 17 Sat., 13th Dec. Old Peterites ... Home Lost 3 29

Wed., 12th Nov. Ripon G.S. "A" XV

2nd XV

Wed., 15th Oct. Durham School Sat., 18th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... Sat., 25th Oct. Giggleswick School Sat., 8th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... Sat., 22nd Nov. Ampleforth College Sat., 29th Nov. Worksop College ... Home Cancelled

• • • Away Lost 6 9 • • • Home Lost 5 31 • • . Away Won 42 9 • • . Away Lost 3 11 • • • Home Lost 8 21 • • . Away Won 11 3

3rd XV Sat., 22nd Nov. Ampleforth College ... ... Home Won 8 6

COLTS XV Wed., 8th Oct. Durham School ... Home Won 15 9 Sat., 18th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... ... Away Lost 5 17 Sat., 25th Oct. Giggleswick School ... ... Away Lost 6 8 Sat., 1st Nov. Harrogate R.F.C. Colts "A" XV Home Lost 6 19 Sat., 8th Nov. Pocklington School Home Won 23 9 Thur., 20th Nov. Ampleforth College Away Lost 3 8 Sat., 29th Nov. Worksop College Home Won 10 3

JUNIOR COLTS XV Wed., 8th Oct. Durham School ... Home Won 37 0 Sat., 18th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... Away Lost 3 6 Wed., 5th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. Away Lost 6 9 Sat., 8th Nov. Pocklington School ... Home Lost 0 8 Sat., 29th Nov. Worksop College ... Home Lost 8 9

SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round Queen's beat School House, 6-5. Manor beat Temple, 26-3. Semi-finals: Grove beat Manor, 17-11. Rise beat Queen's, 22-11. Final: Rise beat Grove, 6-0.

JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round: School House beat Grove, 22-3. Manor beat Rise, 32-0. Semi-finals: Manor beat Queen's, 25-0. School House beat Temple, 18-5. Final: Manor beat School House, 11-6.

ST. PETER'S v. DURHAM SCHOOL

Played at home on Wednesday, 15th October. Won, 11-6.

The firmness of the pitch boded well for the threequarters, but a strong down-wind prevented conditions from being ideal. School played with the wind in the first half.

For the first 25 minutes the play was consistently in the Durham half; but, mainly due to lack of thought and slowness of reaction by members of the School team, there was no score until seven minutes before half-time, when Kershaw went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Shortly after half-time Rhodes and Howard scored tries, the first one being converted by Bygate. This gave us a lead of 11 points, largely thanks to the openings made by the School centres. This lead might have been more but for the Durham full-back, who on several occasions cleared his own line by long and accurate touch kicks.

At this stage the School forwards slackened off and the heavier Durham pack, who up to now had only just held their own, got the ball back more frequently. Before the end of the game C. Robson scored an unconverted try for Durham, and W. Craven kicked a penalty.

Team: R. L. Evans; W. M. Howard, M. J. Kershaw, A. McCallum, J. J. Rhodes; J. B. Robinson, M. Precious; F. C. Beaumont, A. W. Raylor, D. L. Slade, J. 0. Armstrong, D. L. W. Sim, J. A. Bygate, J. B. Mathews (Capt.), E. M. H. Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. BRADFORD G.S.

Played at home on Saturday, 18th October. Lost, 14-18.

This was, perhaps, the best match we have seen on the School ground for many years—in spite of the fact that in the first 15 minutes the School saw little of the ball and lost 10 points. At this stage, however, the School made a remarkable comeback and in 15 minutes' inspired and constructive play, Bygate, McCallum and Howard all scored tries, the last of which was converted by Bygate.

As at the beginning of the first half, the opposition again broke through us after the interval and quickly re-established their lead by two tries and a conversion.. The only addition to the School's score was a penalty kicked by Bygate, though Rhodes very nearly scored in the corner in the last seconds of the match.

Team: Evans; Howard, Kershaw, McCallum, Rhodes; Robinson, Precious; Beaumont, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. TRENT COLLEGE

Played away on Wednesday, 22nd October. Won, 29-3.

An initial try by Trent was their sole success, after which the School dominated the game. In spite of untidy service from the scrum, the School backs, in particular McCallum and Kershaw, broke through their opponents almost at will, and by half-time Kershaw and Rhodes had scored, the former twice. Bygate, in good kicking form, converted twice and kicked a long-range penalty.

In spite of the score the Trent pack fought back nobly to the end and more than held the School eight. In the backs, however, the School remained the complete masters and before the final whistle Howard, McCallum and Rhodes crossed the line for tries, two being converted by Bygate.

The high score is no indication of the School's play, which was in fact ragged and quite out of keeping with their display the previous week.

Team: Evans; Howard, Kershaw, McCallum, Rhodes; Robinson, Precious; Beaumont, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. DENSTONE COLLEGE Played at home on Saturday, 25th October. Lost, 3-14.

Once again the School were slow off the mark and presented their opponents with a gift try in the opening minutes, but thereafter they checked the fast-moving Denstone backs by determined tackling. By half-time both sides had added to their score with a penalty goal, and we were well placed for a recovery.

At this stage, however, the loss of Kershaw through injury necessitated considerable reorganisation of the School team and they were no longer an attacking force.

In spite of spirited resistance, Denstone broke through for two more tries.

The loss of Kershaw in a key position for all the second half had a marked effect on this hard fought game.

McCallum was awarded his Cap, and Colours were awarded to Bygate and reawarded to Kershaw.

Team: Evans; Howard, Kershaw, McCallum, Rhodes; Robinson, Precious; Beaumont, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. LEEDS G.S. Played at Leeds on Saturday, 8th November. Lost, 3-9.

The match opened in a promising way for the School with Robinson, McCallum and Mackay making early breaks in mid-field; but Towns scored first for Leeds against the run of the play, after a good passing movement. This try was not converted, and Bygate 37

equalised the scores with a successful penalty kick shortly afterwards. Towards the end of the first half Papworth put Leeds ahead with another penalty.

Though enjoyable to watch, the standard of rugger in the second half was far from good. Both sides had scoring chances, Leeds looking the more dangerous with many devastating forward rushes. Good kicking by McCallum kept them at bay. In the last few minutes Windsor scored a disputed try, which was not converted.

Final judgment would be that the ball came too slowly from the scrum when School did gain possession and Precious had a very rough time as a result. The tackling, too, was weak and there was a general hesitancy about all the School's play.

Team: Evans; Howard, McCallum, Mackay, Rhodes; Robinson, Precious; Dutton, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL

Played at home on Saturday, 15th November. Lost, 3-15.

There was no score until ten minutes before half-time; then Giggleswick scored three splendid tries, all of which were converted by Walton.

The scoring began with a fine break in mid-field and a pass to Lassman, who scored under the posts. Giggleswick immediately renewed the attack and after a loose scrum and a line-out Carr eluded the defence for a second try. A few minutes later a long pass reached Stead unmarked on the left wing, and he managed to struggle over, though well tackled just short of the line.

To their credit School made a gallant rally in the second half. Their forwards had some advantage in weight and with Mathews and Ranson working untiringly they tried hard to use this advantage to dominate the game.

School's backs could not, however, match Giggleswick's and their attack was limited to a few bursts by McCallum and to kicking ahead, in an attempt to use Howard's speed on the left wing.

The only further score was a penalty goal kicked by Bygate after a sudden burst had been checked in front of Giggleswick's posts.

Team: Evans; Rhodes, Mackay, McCallum, Howard; Robinson, Precious; Slade, Raylor, Dutton, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews i(Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE Played away on Saturday, 22nd November. Lost, 3-19.

From the start both sides played an open game and it seemed that School were slightly on top. However, in spite of a number of opportunities, they scored only three points from a penalty kicked by Bygate. Before half-time Habershaw scored and converted a try, and Pattinson also scored for Ampleforth. 38

In the second half Habershaw scored and converted another try and kicked a penalty; Witham also scored.

School played a very good, open game throughout and did not deserve to lose by such a large margin. They certainly would not have done so, if they could follow the example of Ampleforth's superb covering and tackling.

Colours were awarded to : Robinson, Sim, Raylor, Dutton and Mackay.

Team : Evans; Howard, McCallum, Mackay, Rhodes; Robinson, Precious; Dutton, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

ST. PETER'S v. WORKSOP COLLEGE Played away on Saturday, 29th November. Lost, 3-17.

This match, always threatened by enveloping fog, was hard fought throughout, though the School's tackling, as in previous matches, was sadly lacking. The first half saw fairly even play, but the second half showed the School's weakness, and although we were not overwhelmed, the home team secured a good victory.

In spite of the absence of both the first choice centres, the School began well, and after 20 minutes of even play, the scoring was opened when Howard went over for an unconverted try. This resulted from two consecutive passing movements in opposite directions. This was the first try the School had scored since Kershaw's injury five weeks before. In their turn Worksop came back in attack, and a droppedgoal by Griffiths levelled the scores. Shortly before half-time Phillips scored in the corner to give the home team a narrow lead at the interval.

The second half saw a brief spell of some ten minutes when Worksop scored eight points. Earnshaw scored half-way out as a result of some tackling failures, the conversion being missed. A few minutes later Tarbatt forced his way over in the middle for Farrow to convert. Play reverted to the centre of the field and Bygate took a long and unsuccessful penalty kick. Once again, play was even, the Worksop backs appearing slightly more dangerous, but neither team scored again except for a long penalty goal by Farrow in the last few minutes.

Team : Evans; Howard, Mackay, Robinson, Rhodes; Gale, Precious; Dutton, Raylor, Slade, Armstrong, Sim, Bygate, Mathews (Capt.), Ranson.

SCHOOL v. OLD PETERITES Saturday, 13th December. Lost, 3-29.

Overnight rain dismissed any chance of this match developing into a fast, open game, but a good drying wind helped to stop the worst of the slithering and transformed a sea of mud into a glue-pot.

Under the vociferous leadership of C. W. Thompson, the Old Boys set about their job with a real determination to avenge a series 39