Rugby Football

RETROSPECT

The tally of four wins, one draw and three losses proved better than any record of results since 1956, but how deep were our fears up to the first week of November! After this the team turned the form-book upside down and finished the season in a blaze of glory. An explanation for this transformation may be hard to find, but without doubt it coincided with the time when the team sought the opportunities to tackle their opponents, rather than shirk the issue, and a complete change of heart resulted. It is also becoming abundantly clear that Easter Term rugger, which six out of eight of our school opponents (the exceptions being Trent and Worksop) are participating in, is having a telling effect over the period of years. Moreover, the team-building programme for the following year can largely be undertaken in the Easter Term, and by comparison we look very green and unprepared. This lee-way should not have been so marked this year, for 10 old colours remained; nevertheless the same indecisiveness was very apparent and the backs generally lacked constructive ideas and were very slow to react. Finally, after successive wins against Ampleforth and Worksop, the season seemed all too short, and the cancellation of the Old Peterite match was a bitter disappointment.

Above all, the season will be remembered for the innovation of playing seven forwards and eight backs (two full-backs), which received wide publicity in the Press. The experiment, which proved so successful, was only applied in the Worksop match, a report of which can be read elsewhere. The team, by this late stage of the season, was already accredited with eight forwards (all colour men), so the self-sacrificing No. 8 forward, M. A. Clegg, was transferred to the right-wing to displace the luckless M. J. Howard, and the two full-backs, our forte, were suitably installed. Such a distribution could never be justified if a team were to be deprived of a reasonable share of the ball, nevertheless it need not be considered purely defensive. The opportunity for one full-back to join the threequarter line at unexpected places is clear for all to see, and at the same time the manoeuvre can be covered by the second full-back. In spite of its obvious weaknesses in and around the scrum, such a tactical move could also make a valuable contribution to the game, in that it could quickly baulk the tactical kicking by opposing sides, a form of attack which is rapidly ruining the handling game. J. R. Brown, the skipper, readily accepted the experiment, and it was a fitting reward to one who has completed a first span of 25 years of coaching. Just how seriously the instigator or anyone else intends to treat this move remains to be seen.

The activities of the 1st XV, including the weekly circuit training under the guidance of Mr. Maw, must not be allowed to overshadow the fact that all this while many other School teams were striving to prove their worth. None fared so successfully as the 3rd XV, a team comprised of both old men and ex-Colts who, through enthusiasm and team spirit rather than any technical ability, enjoyed an undefeated season. While the Senior Colts team had a very disappointing season, winning only two matches by the narrowest of margins, the "Under 15" team showed distinct promise early in the season, only to fade in the closing stages. Technical skills will only be mastered by enthusiasm and assiduous practice. Never is this more true than in back play. 26

House matches and House Leagues, both Senior and Junior, lived up to their reputations. In the former, School House strove to complete the "double", failing only in the closing minutes, whilst in the latter, feeling ran sufficiently high on occasions to justify the non-existence of a cup. The Manor and The Rise shared the honours in the Senior League, while there was a triple tie for 1st place in the Junior League between The Grove, The Rise and Temple.

The season ended on a distinctly chilly note, hence the cancellation of the O.P. matches. For all its brevity, the season had many compensations. Future prospects remain obscure, with the anticipated loss of so many senior team players, but a wholehearted effort by those who remain will never let the side down.

1st XV—R. S. Le Pla and M. C. M. Jesper; J. D. Carr, I. B. Robertson,

A. L. McKay; G. W. Cloughton, J. A. B. Carruthers*; J. J. Kettlewell* (Vice-Capt.), N. G. Pace, A. R. Magson, J. R. Brown* (Capt.), J. C.

Cossins*, R. L. Bruce*, M. A. Clegg, P. A. Liversidge*. * Caps.

2nd XV—D. G. Routledge; M. J. Howard*, M. H. Ibberson, A. H.

Baker, J. F. Gartside; J. L. Richardson* (Vice-Capt.), W. M. Hudson;

M. C. M. Anyan, D. R. Gow*, C. G. Evans* (Capt.), A. C. Jowett,

J. T. Bradshaw, R. J. Dowson*, M. J. Lunn, P. N. Abel. Reserve :

M. E. Raine.

* Colours.

3rd XV—J. R. Rowbottom; W. J. B. Ward, J. L. Newhouse, S. H. Reiss,

M. H. Bowe; F. R. West, D. H. Adamson (Capt.); S. D. Ward, H. N.

Blackford, J. R. Dalkin, D. N. MiMes, D. E. A. Higgins, R. B.

Blackburn, M. G. D. White, K. W. Headlam.

Under 16 Colts XV—P. F. Nettleton* (Capt.); N. K. Wallace, A. Youle,

T. C. Mitchell, D. J. Mutch; J. A. Eatough, D. J. Emsley; M. A.

Town, G. F. Eastaugh, D. E. Rowbottom, M. J. Oxley, W. R.

Pickersgill, J. R. Coles*, R. J. Slade, J. M. Winn. * Colours.

Under 15 Colts XV—S. C. Maslin; T. B. Ward, N. G. A. Morris, C. W.

Clegg, R. G. Robinson; J. J. Vooght (Capt.), M. J. T. Carr; P. A.

Horsman, R. A. Spilman, P. R. Hart, M. Donnelly (Vice-Capt.), G. F.

Hardman, T. H. Vickers, R. K. Hall, J. S. Atkinson.

Under 14 Colts XV—C. J. Pearson; J. R. Wood, I. R. D. McGrath,

N. G. A. Morris, C. P. Farmer; R. M. K. Doyle (Capt.), H. L. Wood;

J. Lees (Vice-Capt.), P. R. H. Blackford, S. C. Sugar, C. S. Martinson,

A. S. Medlycott, A. J. Moss, S. A. Bough, M. A. Groundwater. 27

HIBITION 1962

1st XV

Result F. A. Wed., 3rd Oct. Headingley Wanderers XV ... Home Lost 14 35 Sat., 6th Oct. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Senior Colts Home Lost 9 23 Wed., loth Oct. Durham School ... ••• Home Drawn 6 6 Sat., 13th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... • •• Home Lost 8 it Tues., 16th Oct. Trent College ... ... Away Won 14 0 Sat., loth Oct. Denstone College ••• Home Lost 3 20 Sat., 3rd Nov. Leeds G.S. ... •• • Away Lost o 36 Sat., loth Nov. Giggleswick School • • • Home Won 8 3 Sat., 17th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Won it 9 Sat., 1st Dec. Worksop College •• • Away Won 13 6 Sat., 8th Dec. Old Peterites ... • • • Home Cancelled

2nd XV Wed., loth Oct. Durham School ... •• • Away Won 21 3 Sat., 13th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ••• Home Lost 3 29 Sat., loth Oct. Giggleswick School ... Away Won 16 0 Sat., 3rd Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ••• Away Lost 3 26 Sat., 17th Nov. Ampleforth College ••• Home Lost 3 1 4 Sat., 1st Dec. Worksop College Away Lost o 8 8th Dec. Old Peterites ... Home Cancelled

3rd XV Wed., 17th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... Home Won 22 6 Wed., 24th Oct. Worksop College ... Away Won 1 1 o Sat., loth Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. Away Won 21 0 Sat., 17th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Home Won 9 8

UNDER 16 COLTS XV Sat., 13th Oct. Ashville College ... ... ... Away Lost 3 I I Sat., loth Oct. Giggleswick School ... ... Away Lost o 6 Sat., 27th Oct. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Junior Colts Home Lost 5 17 Sat., 3rd Nov. Pocklington School Home Won I I 8 Wed., 7th Nov. Durham School ... Home Won II 9 Thurs. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College Away Lost 3 27 Wed., 21st Nov. Worksop College Away Drawn o 0 Wed., 28th Nov. Barnard Castle School Away Lost 3 i8

UNDER 15 COLTS XV

Sat., 13th Oct. Ashville College ... ... Away Won 35 0 Wed., 17th Oct. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. Away Lost 8 15 Sat., 3rd Nov. Pocklington School ... Home Won 3o II Wed., 7th Nov. Durham School Home Won 14 3 Thurs. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Lost 6 i6 Wed., 21st Nov. Worksop College ... Away Lost o 9 Wed., 28th Nov. Barnard Castle School ... .. Away Lost 5 to

UNDER 14 COLTS XV

Wed., 17th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... ... Home Lost o Wed., 24th Oct. Worksop College ... Away Lost o Wed., 14th Nov. Scarborough College ... Home Won 18

SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES ist Round Queen's beat Manor, School House beat Temple, 3—o. Semi-finals: Queen's beat Rise, 5-3• School House beat Grove, 14—o. Final: School House beat Queen's, 3—o.

JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES ist Round: Grove beat Manor, 6-3. School House beat Queen's, ti—o. Semi-finals: Grove beat Temple, 27—o. School House beat Rise, 14—o. Final: Grove beat School House, 8-6.

SCHOOL MATCHES

v. DURHAM SCHOOL Played at home on Wednesday, 10th October. Drawn 6-6.

The match was played in excellent conditions: a dry pitch, no wind, and the air warm for October. The main difference between the sides immediately showed itself in the scrum; weight was even, as was the skill of binding and pushing, but Durham were more alert in seeking and heeling the ball, and as a result gained the initiative. Their policy throughout the game consisted of mammoth kicks, playing on the St. Peter's fullback. In fielding them, Raine had a poor game, but to his credit it must be said that he always rectified his mistakes, and never once did Durham score from these tactics. Thus, while gaining much ground, their fly-half was starving his three-quarters, who had all too little opportunity to show their speed. Towards the end of the first half, having gained ground from such a kick, Durham were pressing near St. Peter's goal-line, and from a muddle among the forwards, scored near the posts. The kick failed.

Meanwhile, St. Peter's had slowly been getting together, and were beginning to wrest the initiative. Now one saw the ball getting out to their backs, who, though not piercing the defence, at least caused it some anxiety. After half-time St. Peter's truly got into their stride, and for the first time gained the upper hand. From a loose scrum Cloughton went to the blind-side, and Robertson tapped the ball ahead and scored. Carr was unsuccessful with the difficult kick.

St. Peter's maintained the pressure for some ten minutes, but then the fire began to fade and the two sides completed the game with honours even. Durham dropped a goal, and soon after Carr kicked a penalty goal from a reasonably easy position. Thus the game ended six all.

Individually, few players shone. Carruthers and Cloughton were closely marked, and hence less dangerous than they can be. R. L. Bruce at wing-forward was quick when the ball went loose, and Kettlewell captained the side well in J. R. Brown's absence.

To Durham goes the credit of dominating the first half, but to St. Peter's that of holding together during the long period they needed to get into their stride. Team:—Raine; McKay, Jesper, Robertson, Carr; Cloughton, Carruthers;

Kettlewell (Capt.), Pace, Anyan, Cossins, Jowett, Bruce, Clegg,

Liversidge

v. BRADFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL Played at home on Saturday, 13th October. Lost 8-11.

From the way this match began most of the spectators expected an easy win for Bradford. At half-time they were leading 5-0 and early in the second half they increased this lead to 11-0. However, late pressure from the School forwards produced an exciting finish and a fairer result than had at one time seemed possible.

The School line was often in danger during the first half as the result of weak, high tackling and slow thinking among the backs. The first Bradford score came from an opportunist forward rush, but even the most partisan of Bradford supporters would agree that they were in luck. A high kick struck the post and from the rebound a Bradford forward scored between the posts, allowing an easy conversion. Towards half-time the School forwards began to show their strength, but they were unable to force their way over the Bradford line.

Soon after half-time Bradford scored again, this time an unconverted try, and this was followed by a further Bradford try when one of their three-quarters scored from an attack launched from near their own line. Again the cause was weak tackling. Following this reverse the home side pulled itself together and Liversidge scored an unconverted try from a loose maul on the Bradford line. Pressure from Bradford was relieved by a long kick by Carruthers. Another try from the scrum, this time by Clegg, was converted by Carr and this ended the scoring. The game ended with a series of exciting rushes from the School forwards, but Bradford grimly hung on to their lead until the final whistle. Team: —Raine; Carr, Jesper, Robertson, McKay; Cloughton, Carruthers;

Magson, Pace, Anyan, Clegg, Cossins, Bruce, Kettlewell (Capt.),

Liversidge.

v. TRENT COLLEGE

Played away on Tuesday, 16th October. Won 14—O.

In perfect conditions, perhaps even more suitable for a cricket match than a rugger match, Trent kicked off, but were immediately thrown on the defensive by the School pack, which was by far the heavier. Territorial advantage was immediately in the School's favour, and remained so for long stretches of the game, but in spite of being so favourably placed, few attacks mounted were worthy of note. Carruthers soon became more than a handful for the Trent back-row forwards, and was responsible for the first two tries, one scored by himself and the other by Clegg.

Half-time: St. Peter's 6, Trent 0.

The second half continued much as before; play amongst the forwards was thoroughly untidy and disorganised, and the backs, in spite of having frequent possession of the ball, lacked ideas. Further tries by Robertson (conversion by Cloughton) and McKay took the School on their winning way, but the performance was far from being convincing. Team : —Raine; Howard, Carr, Robertson, McKay; Cloughton, Carruthers;

Magson, Pace, Kettlewell, Brown (Capt.), Cossins, Bruce, Clegg,

Liversidge. 32

v. DENSTONE COLLEGE

Played at home on Saturday, 20th October. Lost 3-20.

The opening seconds of the game saw St. Peter's miss a penalty from a very kickable position. Denstone soon took the lead, when an orthodox three-quarter movement brought an unconverted try on the right wing. This was followed by a penalty and another unconverted try, this time scored by the outside centre. St. Peter's rallied and after some fine play by the forwards, Cossins scored a try in the corner. Immediately Denstone kicked another penalty, and then intercepted an attempted kick to touch and scored an unconverted try.

In the second half the St. Peter's forwards continued to more than hold their opponents, but the backs were too slow to take advantage of their chances. The only score of this half was an excellent converted try by a Denstone centre, who collected the ball in his own "25", kicked ahead, picked up and touched down between the posts. Team : —Raine; McKay, Jesper, Robertson, Howard; Cloughton,

Carruthers; Kettlewell, Pace, Magson, Cossins, Brown (Capt.), Bruce,

Clegg, Liversidge.

v. LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Played away on Saturday, 3rd November. Lost 0-36.

A round of mid-week House matches left an injury list a mile long in its trail, and seldom had a pre-match practice been so chaotic. This did little to instil confidence into the team, but it must in no way detract from the magnificent show of open rugby as displayed by the Leeds G.S. team when inflicting this 36 points to nil defeat upon the School.

With the School forwards pressing relentlessly on the Leeds line for the first 10 minutes of play, there was little to suggest the rout that was to .:ollow. J. D. Carr missed narrowly three splendid penalty-kick attempts from long range, and after surviving these shocks the undefeated Leeds G.S. team came more and more into their own. Even so their first six points came from our own defensive errors, which should never have been, and further tackling lapses gave them a 12-point lead at half-time.

Worse was to follow, for the forwards had by now lost the initiative, the backs one by one defensively failed in their duties, and against the exceptionally fast-moving Leeds three-quarter line, now gaining frequent possession, the side became increasingly demoralised. Fundamentally our tackling was irresponsible and we were run off our feet. Team : —Raine; McKay, Richardson, Carr, Howard; Cloughton,

Carruthers; Kettlewell (Capt.), Pace, Magson, Jowett, Cossins, Bruce,

Clegg, Liversidge. v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL

Played at home on Saturday, 10th November. Won 8-3.

School kicked off deep into the Giggleswick half and held their opponents there for 10 minutes. Efforts from a cross-kick by Howard, a blind-side break by scrum-half Carruthers and a drop at goal by Cloughton just failed to bring a score. Giggleswick attempted to clear their line by means of a short kick over the School three-quarters but were frustrated by the excellent falling and fielding of full-back Jesper. School 33

had a wonderful chance to score when Clegg made a fine break but the final pass from the centre to the wing was ruled forward.

Giggleswick then became more dangerous and good tackling, especially by Cloughton and McKay, was necessary to stop dangerous movements.

The first score came when Bruce dribbled the ball fifty yards to the Giggleswick line and with the visitors defending desperately Carruthers dived over for a try which was converted by Carr.

Giggleswick started the second half with a furious assault and with plenty of possession they attacked down both wings. This pressure failed to bring a try but points came from the successful conversion of a penalty even though the crossbar nearly intervened.

School forwards now regained the initiative and played well under the leadership of Kettlewell. Bruce was again the inspiration behind the second try when he dribbled the ball towards the left corner flag and his fellow wing-forward Liversidge gained the touch-down. The kick failed. Team: —Jesper; McKay, Robertson, Carr, Howard; Cloughton,

Carruthers; Kettlewell, Pace, Magson, Cossins, Brown (Capt.),

Liversidge, Clegg, Bruce.

v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE

Played away on Saturday, 17th November. Won 11-9.

Not for the first time in recent years the 1st XV rose to the occasion in admirable fashion in facing up to their formidable opponents, the unbeaten Ampleforth XV.

In spite of having to be content with only occasional possession of the ball from the set scrums, line-out work was good, particularly that of J. C . Cossins, and the play of the back-row forwards in the loose was first class.

Ampleforth had largely themselves to blame for holding only a three point lead (a try by their menacing centre, D. X. Cooper) up to half-time.

A storming recovery on resumption of play, by the pack in particular, placed the Ampleforth line under extreme pressure, and led to tries by Kettlewell and Carruthers. After a conversion by Carr, which gave the School a lead of 8 points to 3, Ampleforth retaliated in deteriorating weather conditions. With two further tries, one a push-over try, Ampleforth regained the lead (9 pts.-8), and the School appeared to have thrown away their chances through over-excitement.

In the closing minutes, however, with the atmosphere tense, Liversidge swooped upon another mistake by our opponents in their own goal area, to score a final try. The kick failed but the final whistle blew and the School had inflicted the first home defeat for Ampleforth for many years.

It was a great game for the School pack, and an added joy to see Le Phi return to the side after many weeks of injury. Team : —Le Pla; McKay, Robertson, Carr, Howard; Cloughton,

Carruthers; Kettlewell, Pace, Magson, Brown (Capt.), Cossins, Bruce,

Clegg, Liversidge.

Caps awarded to Liversidge and Carruthers. Colours awarded to Clegg and Magson.