Feb 1960

RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1959 RETROSPECT The first two or three weeks of any term are undoubtedly the most important for the building of all School teams, and without the advantages of pre-season preparation in the Easter Term they become vital, particularly when only 10 of the previous season's 1st XXX remain. Such was our predicament at the start of this season, faced as we were with freak ground conditions, and no report would be complete without this realisation.

From the outset the Senior game sought refuge on the Riverside field in their endeavour to escape the hard baked surfaces which prevailed elsewhere, but even here only one third of a field was fit for anything approaching realistic practice. Such growth of grass as there was provided little or no cushioning, ominous cracks underfoot gaped wide, as day after day the drought continued, with the result that after a week of term the unequal struggle was given up.

The Rugger season proper seemed far removed for much of the next three weeks, although an attempt was made on Friday afternoons alone to retain the sets and foster some team spirit. Meanwhile the original fixture list had to undergo drastic revision and it was not until 19th October that normal conditions were restored, much to the relief of the Rugger enthusiasts.

On 31st October the first match was played against Harrogate R.F.C. Colts but a chapter of minor injuries then followed, which further retarded our progress, the inevitable price to be paid for the absence of hardening preparations.

The 1st XV showed no lack of enthusiasm but several deficiencies were all too apparent. A lack of pace had to be accepted, but it was gratifying to see the vigour and fervour which several newcomers from the previous year's Colts team were putting into their play.

Unfortunately the insidious disinclination to tackle firmly, the weakness of the previous season, reared its ugly head again and threatened disaster. The team this year, however, never gave up in the face of defeat, for which D. L. Slade, the captain, is to be congratulated.

The season was inevitably brief and successes were all too infrequent.

M. W. Woodruff was an outstanding success at full-back and if he could effect a change in kicking technique he could become first class.

Likewise J. M. D. Kirk showed very considerable promise in a less spectacular position as a prop forward. These two might well be the stars of next year, an encouraging thought, but for a team to be good, able support must come from a majority of players, who are prepared by patience and persistent practice to raise their individual standard of play, and make good what may be lacking in natural talent.

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