RUGBY SCHOOL MATCHES 1st XV v. BRADFORD 15th October The School hardly found their feet and were outplayed forward most of the game in the loose. A high cross-wind inevitably meant a lot of kicks for touch—some of it very accurate on both sides. Bradford's first try showed speed and agility—penalty, short kick, scrum, quick heel and the School's dazed defence was ripped apart. But some fine attacking moves by the School, good tactical kicks from Zissler and breaks by Clegg opened up the game. It was not until the second half and the School were 16-0 down that from five yards Medlycott put Blackford through to score. v. TRENT COLLEGE Played away on Wednesday, 19th October. Won 19-0. A quarter of an hour passed with no constructive pattern developing, when suddenly the School settled down and for a short period of time played some good rugby. Clegg was always constructively sound in the centre and Donaldson's task, on the left wing, in scoring two tries was made comparatively easy by Clegg's astute timing of the pass, while Zissler, breaking wide from the scrum, executed a perfect dummy scissor movement, which sent Clegg over for a further try near the posts. A conversion and penalty by Ernsley completed the first half scoring with a lead of 14 points for the School. In the second half play once again relapsed into an untidy pattern and much profitless play was in evidence. Not until the closing minutes of the game did the School add to their lead with a further 5 points, when Trent heeled near their own line, only to knock on and provide Richardson with an easy touch-down. Team—Rawlings; Donaldson, Clegg, Benn, Groundwater; Richardson, Zissler; McGrath, Blackford, Carr, Morris, Summers, Doyle, Medlycott, Emsley (Captain). v. DENSTONE COLLEGE Lost 8-9. Saturday, 22nd October From the kick-off it was clear that our visitors had a fast back-division and, indeed, a rapid follow-up of an attempted drop goal produced a try near the corner flag. Then an orthodox movement gave the Denstone right winger a chance. This he took at speed. At half-time the score was 0-6 and had Denstone had a reliable place kicker the School would have been further behind. The second half saw a revival in the School's play, instead of wasting their chances they began to capitalise on them. Clegg cut through for a converted try and then Richardson dropped a goal to put the School ahead 8-6. Right on time, Denstone replied with a drop-goal to win a match spoiled by many unnecessary fouls, not all of them petty.
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