Squash

v. OLD PETERITES Played on Saturday, 12th December. Won 13-9.

With some misgivings the Old Boys took the field, the appointed field, the Riverside field (memories of mud), only for them to find the playing surface, which had given such good service all season, in surprisingly good shape.

The School failed to take advantage of the fact that the Old Boys were a scratch side and so as a result of some loose tackling often found themselves hard-pressed.

Not until after tries by Sharp and Metcalfe had given the Old Boys a 6 point lead at half-time, and a further solo effort by Alexander increased the lead to 9 points, did the School settle down and carry out tactics always suitable for the occasion. Pursuing the policy of throwing the ball about, tries by Clegg (converted by Emsley) and Pickersgill (converted by Nettleton) swung the game dramatically in the School's favour.

A final left-footed dropped goal by Emsley set the seal on matters, and the School thus staged a great come-back.

We are grateful to R. R. Baldwin (O.P.), for standing in and refereeing at the last moment.

OLD PETERITE XV C. D. King; H. A. King, M. McCallum, M. Kershaw, J. J. Rhodes; D. I.

Fletcher, U. A. Alexander; C. W. Thompson (Capt.), W. Gibson, L. T.

Beaumont, M. B. Wilson, S. J. S. Wroe, R. J. Sharp, C. Metcalfe, J. S.

Botterill.

RETROSPECT

The season started with the emphasis placed more than ever on the need for pre-term training. The success of this depended as always upon the whole-hearted response of individuals, but no lack of encouragement and opportunity was spared by Mr. Willstrop in the twice weekly sessions held at the School. The ensuing task, in the 10 days prior to the first match, was to adapt ourselves to the new rules. The object of these quickly became apparent. Opportunities for imaginative three-quarter play now abounded, at the same time as the back-row forwards had their wings drastically clipped and could no longer dominate the game. At the same time the need for a full width (75 yd.) playing area was now, under the new rules, more than ever essential, so the Senior game transferred its operations to the pitch immediately beyond Westminster Road. This pitch always used to be the 1st XV field, but recently had become the Colts field. The fact that building operations on the site of the swimming baths have reduced the width of the adjoining previous 1st XV pitch from 66 yards to 63 yards had no bearing on the necessity for the move.

The season proper started with a new fixture against the Headingley R.U.F.C. Colts XV. This and the last match of the season were both won and gave us every encouragement. The intervening matches, including all eight School matches were however all lost, and one is forced to report, so far as the records go, a season singularly lacking in success. So the struggle to restore our prestige continues. 31