Rugger

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.

The Colts teams once again met with varying fortunes but some promising talent was developing. In fact, had it not been such a short season, some Colts players might well have gained 1st XV honours.

For many the highlight of the season was the establishment of House Leagues, both Junior and Senior divisions. No "pot" was necessary to arouse a healthy competitve spirit, and in spite of the disparity in the strength of the teams the experiment proved well worth repeating.

By next year our amenities will be greatly improved by the acquisition of new playing fields near the boundary of the aerodrome and by an extensive draining scheme on the 1st XV field, which is being undertaken early in the New Year. We must hope for a similar improvement in the standard of our play.

SEASON 1959-60

1st XV—M. W. Woodruff*; R. A. Wood, A. J. De Mulder, J. J. Rhodes,

J. M. Smith; J. W. S. Gale, M. Precious; J. M. D. Kirk*, F. J. A. Hewitt,

R. A. Martin, J. 0. Armstrong, D. L. W. Sim* (Vice-Capt.), U. A.

Alexander, D. L. Slade* (Capt.), E. M. H. Ranson. * Caps. 2nd XV—R. W. Kirk; S. D. Baker, C. D. Ibberson*, J. C. G. Wheeler, P. M.

Beachell; R. Priestley, W. E. Bagnall*; A. R. Ward, F. D. Lavender* (Vice-Capt.), N. R. Barton* (Capt.), D. H. Fletcher, D. S. Atkinson, G. P.

Robinson*, M. McCallum*, W. J. Bottomley. * Colours. Colts XV—S. R. Hutchinson; R. H. Parker*, J. A. B. Carruthers* (Vice-

Capt.), M. T. Bell, C. J. Parker; J. D. M. Hackney, G. R. Monfort; P.

Collins* (Capt.), D. H. Rhodes, G. A. Hart, J. R. Brown*, M. A. Clegg,

R. L. Bruce, J. V. Noel*, J. J. Kettlewell. * Colours. Junior Colts XV—D. I. Lewis; D. G. Woolley, J. D. Carr (Vice-Capt.),

M. C. M. Jesper (Capt.), J. L. Richardson; A. L. McKay, T. L. Adams;

M. Raley, D. R. Gow, A. R. Magson, A. C. Jowett, M. Sutcliffe, A. G.

Routledge, R. J. Adcock, P. A. Liversidge.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

1st XV

Result F. A. Sat., 3rd Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Senior Colts ... Home Cancelled Sat., 17th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ... ... Away Cancelled Wed., 21st Oct. Trent College ... ... • • • Home Cancelled Sat., 24th Oct. Denstone College ... • • • Away Cancelled Sat., 31st Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Colts ... • • • Home Won 13 11 Wed., 4th Nov. Durham School ... ... ••• Away Lost 0 8 Sat., 7th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ... •• • Home Won 15 11 Wed., 11th Nov. Headingley Wanderers XV • • • Home Lost 0 24 Sat., 14th Nov. Giggleswick School ... • • • Away Lost 0 24 Sat., 21st Nov. Ampleforth College Home Lost 3 29 Wed., 25th Nov. Worksop College ... Home Lost 0 6 Sat., 12th Dec. Old Peterites ... Home Won 24 3

Sat., 17th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... Sat., 24th Oct. Giggleswick School Wed., 4th Nov. Durham School ...

• • • Away

Result F. Cancelled • • • Home Cancelled • • • Home Lost 3 15 Sat., 7th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... • • • Home Won 16 9 Sat., 21st Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Lost 5 40 Wed., 25th Nov. Worksop College ... ... Home Lost 3 15 3rd XV Sat., 21st Nov. Ampleforth College ... ... Away Lost 3 9 COLTS XV Sat., 10th Oct. Ashville College . . ... Home Cancelled Sat., 24th Oct. Giggleswick School . ... Home Cancelled Sat., 31st Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Junior Colts XV Home Won 17 0 Wed., 4th Nov. Durham School ... ... ... Away Lost 8 12 Sat., 7th Nov. Pocklington School ... ... Away Won 13 11 Sat., 14th Nov. Barnard Castle School ... Home Won 17 3 Wed., 18th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Home Lost 3 14 Wed., 25th Nov. Worksop College ... ... Away Lost 3 8 JUNIOR COLTS XV Wed., 4th Nov. Durham School ... ... ... Home Won 44 5 Sat., 7th Nov. Pocklington School ... • • • Away Lost 8 20 Sat.. 14th Nov. Barnard Castle School ... • • • Home Won 25 5 Wed., 18th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. • • • Home Lost 3 10 Wed., 25th Nov. Worksop College ... ... • • • Away Lost 0 13 SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round Grove beat School House, 11-9. Manor beat Temple, 26-3. Semi-finals: Rise beat Grove, 11-3. Manor beat Queen's, 3-0. Final: Manor beat Rise, 14-0. JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round : Manor beat Grove, 36-9. School House beat Temple, 28-3. Semi-finals: Manor beat Rise, 6-0. School House beat Queen's, 14-0. Final: School House beat Manor, 14-3.

SCHOOL MATCHES v. DURHAM SCHOOL

Played at Durham on Wednesday, 4th November. Lost, 0 8.

The School kicked off backed up by a strong wind. Insufficient practice, owing to adverse ground conditions, resulted in a disjointed and apathetic first half. Durham opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a try by Harle, which was converted.

Play improved considerably in the second half. A good run by Rhodes heralded a School revival, but not for long; Durham scored again, but the kick failed. In their repeated attacks Durham failed to make use of the strong wind and lost their advantage. The last

10 minutes saw some inspired rugby by the School, but no score resulted. The unorthodox but effective kicking of Woodruff saved the School many times.

Team: Woodruff; Wood, De Mulder, Holdsworth, Rhodes; Gale, Precious; Barton, Kirk, Slade (Capt.), Fletcher, Armstrong, Alexander, Sim (Vice-Capt.) and Ranson.

v. LEEDS G.S.

Played at home on Saturday, 7th November. Won, 15-11.

With a fairly dry ball the School opened the attack, a kick ahead enabling Rhodes to score in the corner. Leeds dominated the lineout but the School had the best of the set scrummages. Precious added to the School's score after a blind side break and Ranson kicked a penalty goal soon afterwards. Leeds scored through M. N. Shaw just before half-time.

The School attacked again in the second half and Wood scored an early try after a complete three-quarter movement. A penalty was awarded against the School, which D. E. Walton converted, and now, relying mainly on the forwards, Leeds rallied and T. S. Ridsdale scored under the posts. Walton converted the try. Then Holdsworth, always dangerous, scored after a fine run, and the School, rallying under Slade and Kirk, played inspired rugby in the dying minutes.

Team: Woodruff; Wood, De Mulder, Holdsworth, Rhodes; Gale, Precious; Martin, Kirk, Barton, Sim (Vice-Capt.), Armstrong, Alexander, Slade (Capt.), Hewitt.

v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL

Played away on Saturday, 14th November. Lost, 0-24.

The School forwards harried the Giggleswick pack right from the kick-off and for the first 10 minutes the School stayed on the Giggleswick line, Ranson and Alexander holding the renowned Giggleswick half-backs well. Then Giggleswick showed their mettle with a break by Walton, who put Bullock over for a try, which was converted. At half-time both teams were equally balanced.

A shower of rain made the ball slippery and the turf treacherous. The play deteriorated with the weather. Giggleswick then exploited the blind side, using Robinson, the right-winger, and amassed 16 points in 25 minutes. The School still showed their superiority in the line-out, but with Kirk injured, lost in the scrummages.

A revival by the School in the last few minutes could not shake the Giggleswick defence.

Colours were awarded to : J. M. D. Kirk and M. W. Woodruff.

v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE

Played at home on Saturday, 21st November. Lost, 3-29.

The home team played better than the score suggests in the first half, although they never really gave the same impression of danger when in possession that Ampleforth did. The first score was a try by A. N. Stanton, followed by a try and conversion by the Ampleforth captain, Habbershaw, who had recently returned to their side after a spell of injury. E. M. H. Ranson then kicked a penalty goal for St. Peter's, bringing the half-time score to 3-8.

Early in the second half St. Peter's struck a bad patch, when tackling was weak, and the forwards were not as effective in the loose as in the first half. In spite of sound play at full-back by Woodruff, Ampleforth increased their score by a further 21 points (tries by Witham, Young (2), B. Marriner, and Stanton, and three conversions by Habbershaw) and, although a challenge was made by St. Peter's forwards in which Slade, Armstrong, and Hewitt were prominent, the School failed to increase their score.

Colours were awarded to J. J. Rhodes, E. M. H. Ranson, J. 0. Armstrong, M. Precious, and F. J. A. Hewitt.

Team: Woodruff; Wood, De Mulder, Rhodes, Smith; Gale, Precious; Kirk, Hewitt, Martin, Armstrong, Sim, Alexander, Slade, Ranson.

v. WORKSOP COLLEGE

Played at home on Wednesday, 25th November. Lost, 0 6.

With treacherous conditions underfoot the game promised to be a trial of forward strength. The School soon adapted themselves to the conditions and constantly endangered the Worksop line, but no scoring resulted, owing to a lack of finish shown by the School threequarters. When Worksop had settled somewhat, their more imaginative backs dominated the play and S. Earnshaw scored a good try.

In the second half play swung from side to side, but with Worksop showing a marked superiority in the backs. In a forward rush, D. A. Tarbutt, the Worksop captain, scored after 18 minutes of the second half. He failed to convert the try. Woodruff was again prominent in the School defence.

Colours were awarded to J. M. Smith, R. A. Wood, A. J. De Mulder, J. W. S. Gale, A. W. Martin and U. A. Alexander.

Team : Woodruff; Wood, Rhodes, De Mulder, Smith; Gale, Precious; Martin, Kirk, Hewitt, Sim (Vice-Capt.), Armstrong, Alexander, Slade (Capt.), Ranson.