20 minute read
Rugby
from Feb 1967
by StPetersYork
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.
v. LEEDS G.S. Played away on Saturday, 5th November. Lost 3-8.
With all due respect to our opponents, this undoubtedly was our most disappointing match. Occasioned by Zissler's injury, Emsley reverted to his original position at scrum-half and Shepherd came in as open-side wingforward. Such minor changes in the constitution of our team should in no way have disrupted our tactics or upset our confidence, but whatever the cause or reason, the fact remained that we played a thoroughly bad game.
A stiff cold breeze certainly influenced the tactics of the game for both sides, and we failed to.make good use of this telling factor. It was essential with the wind at our backs in the first half that we established a commanding lead. This we failed to do for one reason or another. Kicks at goal veered left and right; blunder followed blunder; and the line-out work of which there was a superfluity, was a lost cause as far as we were concerned. At half-time we found ourselves trailing by 5 points to 3, after a penalty had been landed by Emsley, but it was a far cry from what was required.
It was only in the final 5 or 10 minutes that our efforts really looked purposeful, but by this time Leeds had increased their lead with a successful penalty goal, and we were unable to salvage an undistinguished game. Team—Rawlings; Groundwater, Benn, Clegg, Donaldson; Richardson,
Emsley (Captain); McGrath, Blackford, Carr, Morris, Summers, Doyle,
Medlycott, Shepherd.
The following report is printed by kind permission of The Times THRASHING FOR DURHAM St. Peter's, York, 39 pts., Durham 0. Wednesday, 9th November
Attacking strongly during most of the first half and letting loose an avalanche of scoring in the later stages of the second, St. Peter's finally overwhelmed Durham to the tune of six goals, one dropped goal and two tries to nothing at York yesterday.
Between these scoring surges Durham tried hard to get into the game and at one stage in the second half appeared to have contained the St. Peter's attacks and were mounting raids of their own. Rarely, however, did they really threaten the St. Peter's line, a state of affairs due to the crisp tackling and alert covering of a side as skilled in the art of stopping as producing tries.
The key man of the York side was their scrum half Emsley who simply thrived on whatever possession came his way. His lightning darts from behind either scrum or line-out tore great holes in the Durham defence and he it was who made the running for most of St. Peter's tries. To prove his versatility he made six conversions. STRONG CENTRES
St. Peter's had also strong centres in Clegg and Benn each of whom proved himself capable of exploiting any gap that came his way, and the full back, Rawlings, was always ready to turn defence into attack with his accurate long range touch finding.
In spite of the disparity of the final score the set scrums were fairly evenly shared but whereas Emsley was always quick to launch an attack or get the ball to his outsides, the slowness with which Durham used their gains was their undoing. Often the outside pass was so belated that the recipient met man and ball together.
SPENT FORCE
It was much the same story in the lineouts where the jumping of Locke gave Durham a slight edge but in the loose the St. Peter's forwards were well on top binding together to produce the collective drive that rocked their opponents on to their heels. The Durham pack fought back heroically in the second half, but towards the close they were a well spent force.
A dropped goal from 25 yards by Clegg opened the St. Peter's account after only five minutes of play and although another quarter of an hour went by before the Durham line fell to tries by Clegg (two) and Groundwater, the first two converted by Emsley, put St. Peter's 16 points up at half time.
After a spell in which exchanges were comparatively even, St. Peter's threatened to run riot against a side whose defence suddenly cracked when their best tackler, Nicholson, was seen to be limping. Benn (two), Clegg, Groundwater and Doyle all crossed the line, Emsley making four more conversions. St. Peter's York—D. M. Rawlings; I. S. Donaldson, C. W. Clegg, J. A. S.
Berm, M. A. Groundwater; J. C. Richardson, D. J. Emsley; I. R. D.
McGrath, P. R. H. Blackford, A. S. Carr, N. G. A. Morris, P. T.
Summers, D. J. Doyle, P. M. Shepherd, A. S. Medlycott. Durham—A. Bernacca; J. D. Claxton, G. Clayton, M. G. Nicholson, R.
Harrison, M. F. A. Ward, G. Guest; P. G. Purves, R. F. S. Gibb,
M. J. Stead, W. Locke, C. K. R. MacDonald (captain), D. J. Bunch,
H. G. Turnbull, I. W. Anderson. Referee—R. Klar (Yorkshire).
v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL Played at home on Saturday, 12th November. Won 19-0. School 19 (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty). Giggleswick 0.
The School scored a fine team victory on a pitch made slippy and wet by rain. The opening exchanges were even, but it soon became apparent that the School was getting more possession from the scrums, despite Giggleswick's larger pack. However, the wet ball was difficult to handle and it was well into the first half before Berm forced his way through to touch down between the posts, Emsley converted. Just on half-time the School heeled quickly from a scrum and Donaldson dived over on the blind side, for an unconverted try.
Giggleswick came more into the game in the second half but a 30-yard footrush by Emsley produced a try which he converted. Giggleswick continued to fight hard but had no answer to the strong, confident running of the School threequarters. The scoring was completed with a penalty by Emsley and an unconverted try by Clegg. 24
v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE Lost 0-3 Saturday, 19th November
This game was played on a very muddy and sticky pitch and it was immediately apparent that the Ampleforth pack, which was much heavier both individually and collectively than ours, would be the decisive factor. Play concentrated in the St. Peter's half with frequent touches and loose scrums. Ampleforth were getting almost unlimited possession from the loose, but good covering by the back row and especially Clegg and Benn had prevented a score by half-time. The second half followed a similar pattern until, following a good loose heel, Ampleforth scored far out. St. Peter's fought well but the difference in weight was too great and the backs had no opportunity to demonstrate their attacking skill.
v. WORKSOP COLLEGE
Played at Worksop on Wednesday, 30th November. Won 8-3.
A young Worksop team did well to hold St. Peter's to 8-3. St. Peter's missing Clegg's generalship in the centre, played well as individuals but lacked the cohesion and tactical control of the Durham Giggleswick matches.
Playing with a high wind in the first half, St. Peter's could manage only a try by Summers, who barged over from a nick, and one by Emsley (converted by him also), after a good break by Richardson.
Fortunately, St. Peter's played far better against the gale in the second half. They contained Worksop in their own half largely through a monopoly of possession in the tight scrum where Blackford was at last given a timed shove by his tight forwards. Worksop scored an unconverted try from a tap penalty close to the line, while St. Peter's were in a state of sad disorganisation during Emsley's temporary retirement due to a numbed nerve in the leg.
Several good breaks by Emsley came to nothing from lack of support, and, even worse, the subsequent heel was not forthcoming. Medlicott made a welcome return in his best destructive form. Dew once went close and Benn beat his man several times, but there was no further score.
v. OLD PETERITES Played on Saturday, 10th December. Draw 6-6.
In the absence of any wealth of talent amongst the Old Peterites (regrettably several well-intentioned players had to give last minute backword), it was confidently expected that any spectacle of good constructive rugby would come from a well organised School team. In the event this was far from the case, and quite the most purposeful rugger came from the Old Boys. The School line was in fact promptly and vigorously harassed, only to be rescued on frequent occasions by the intervention of the referee for breaches of the rules, prompted no doubt by excessive enthusiasm.
The first try, a scrambled affair, was awarded to the Old Boys almost as if in sympathy for their stalwart efforts. Whereupon the School retaliated in convincing style by Donaldson scoring on the left-wing to level the scores at half-time.
The pattern in the second half was much as before and there was really little to enthuse about. Once again the Old Boys took the lead with a second try (little did they expect to get away with it!), which again stirred the School to action. The old familiar break by Emsley had not long to be waited - for. Clegg was up in support and the inevitable try resulted which finally levelled the score.
A fine display at full-back by Fulbrook—surely a Senior League Team player when last seen besporting himself on the School grounds. All due credit then to Bill Thompson and his merry men for so successfully containing the School team.
Our thanks to D. B. Stead (Yorkshire Society) for refereeing.
OLD PETERITE XV E. D. Fulbrook; M. McCallum, R. D. Harding, J. A. Eatough, R. H.
Parker; C. D. King, H. L. Wood; C. W. Thompson (Captain), R. A.
Spilman, G. F. Hardman, H. A. King, G. D. Gardner, C. Metcalfe,
A. Youle, P. A. Liversidge.
RETROSPECT
Last year's retrospect concluded with these very words—"Clearly the School's rugby has staged a most welcome revival and with greater enthusiasm and enjoyment on all sides. We look forward eagerly to the future". This revival has surely been taken a stage further and, if wins and losses on 1st team results were the only yardstick, this season has been within an ace of considerable success.
The early weeks presented their inevitable problems. Firstly there was as always, the ever-present need, at all levels, for pre-season training (especially in view of the late start to our season). This was most creditably undertaken by more than a few with the skipper invariably present. No doubt they derived considerable benefit from it and avoided the risk of early season injury. Next, new theories and tactics, let alone jargon, as propounded by the Rugby Union authorities in their wisdom, had to be sifted and sorted by coaches and players alike. Too great an emphasis on these issues-1st phase, 2nd phase and the like—seemed to be the real danger at schoolboy level and, dare it be said, more were in the end disgorged than adopted. Then positioned changes for certain individuals had to be contrived, and none achieved more, where the need was greatest, than the switch of N.G.A. Morris from the three-quarter line to lock forward (2nd Row)—to this same player's great credit. Finally we were faced with the annual problem of matching ourselves so early in the season with such formidable opponents these days as Bradford G.S. With their present VIth form strength already 350, one wonders what these fixtures in the future will hold, when such seats of learning (Leeds G.S. alike) become solely and wholly VIth form establishments under the proposed new educational reforms.
The 1st XV entered into the spirit of all this unsparingly. Considering so many doubts existed when the team was first selected, the XV settled surprisingly well and fortunately remained gloriously free of injuries, apart from the misfortune to Zissler. The pack in particular obviously
26
enjoyed, and derived much benefit from, Mr. Rigby's past experiences, and the side was blessed with two outstanding players in their captain and vice-captain. With such talent in the key positions of scrum-half and centre-threequarter, our successes depended largely upon the quantity and quality of possession so that these two players in particular could exploit their skills. With a pack averaging 11 st. 7 lb. (11 st. 13 lb. last season) this was easier said than done, but when the service was forthcoming the team's potential was considerable, as Durham for one found out to their cost. Another highlight of the season was the School's memorable encounter with Denstone College. To have lost this match by 1 point as a result of a successful drop-kick by our opponents in injury time was cruel fortune indeed, but we can gain considerable comfort from the knowledge that Denstone remained unbeaten throughout the season. Other matches which were lost by narrow margins included Ampleforth, by 3 points, and Leeds G.S. by 5 points. All in all, the tally of 4 matches won and 4 lost barely does the team full justice. Points "for"-99, points "against"-39, gives a better assessment of their worth. It was very much regretted that the weather prevented our match with Keil 'School, Dumbarton, from taking place, on the other hand we are happy to record that our fixture with York R.U.F.C. was re-established this year for the first time since 1956.
In support of the 1st XV, the 2nd XV had an outstanding season, losing only one of their seven school matches. The 3rd XV broke even with their results, while the Senior Colts went a long way towards emulating their predecessors and gained a measure of success surpassing all expectations. Alone the two more Junior teams were always struggling against opponents who physically seemed to have such a great advantage over them. An outstanding feature of all the school's rugby this term has been some admirable tackling, often commented upon by our opponents. House Leagues and House matches complete the picture for the term. The House Leagues, both Senior and Junior, were inconclusive competitions owing to deteriorating ground conditions, whereas the House matches proved that Dronfield still had the measure of their opponents in the Senior division by winning for the third successive year, in fact ever since their inauguration.
In the final analysis, however, this must be deemed D. J. Emsley's year. After 3 years as captain of the School 1st XV (that in itself must be a record), he has finally crowned his school rugger career by playing for the Yorkshire Schoolboys XV in the Christmas holiday matches v. Lancashire and Wales. In the face of severe competition he gained this distinction by his impeccable displayes at scrum-half in a series of searching trial matches Not since 1953, when A. N. Wyatt-Gunning captained the Yorkshire Schoolboys, have we had a representative from the School in this team. That was the last occasion when Yorkshire defeated Wales in Yorkshire. History repeated itself this year. The secret of David Emsley's success undoubtedly lies in his complete dedication to the game. Certainly size is not one of his attributes—from this many can take comfort. Our congratulations to him and good wishes for the future.
Peterites who have played for Yorkshire Schoolboys v. Wales:— J. G. Troop (1924), W. A. Clarke (1925-26), G. B. Robinson (1926), C. W. Dixon (1927), C. L. Troop (1927-28), J. D. Burrows (1928), W. Elliott (1928), H. S. Haigh-Lumby (1928), K. Lockwood (1936), J. T. Harding (1936-37), A. C. W. Ping (1937), J. H. Butler (1938), M. S. Douglas (1938), P. T. Baker (195o), A. N. Wyatt-Gunning 1951-52-53 (Capt.), D. J. Emsley (1967). 27
SCHOOL TEAMS : 1st XV—D. M. Rawlings; M. A. Groundwater, J. A. S. Benn, C. W. Clegg* (Vice-Capt.), I. S. Donaldson; J. C. Richardson, D. J. Emsley* (Capt.); I. R. D.
McGrath, P. R. H. Blackford, A. S. Carr, N. G. A. Morris*, P. T. Summers,
P. J. Doyle, A. S. Medlycott*, P. M. Shepherd. * —Caps. 2nd XV—E. M. Holgate*; C. S. M. Dew* (Capt.), J. R. Wood*, A. J. Gill*,
C. J. Pearson*; J. E. Dickinson*, P. V. Zissler;* S. C. Sugar*, A. G. Scott*,
H. G. Marks*, J. J. Sample*, M. J. Thompson* (Vice-Capt.), A. W. H.
Powell*, P. S. Oglesby*, C. A. Wood.* *—Colours. 3rd XV Selected from—G. A. W. Stewart; J. K. Park, T. B. Ward, W. J. Roebuck,
C. J. A. Smith (Capt.), A. W. Fieldhouse; M. A. C. Reid, C. J. A. Smith (Q), J. D. Rawlings; A. J. Moss, D. 0. Jenkins, W. N. Marshall, P. N. Kitching,
M. T. Bennett, S. Mackinder, J. G. Hoad, R. M. Anderson, T. J. Adams. Under 16 Colts XV Selected from—H. J. Gration; J. A. Pease, R. M. Yule*,
M. A. Cantrell*, D. M. L. Jackson*; M. J. H. Fisher*, I. C. Dempsey*;
S. G. Smith, A. M. Powell, D. B. Hart*, P. J. H. Fosbrook*, R. L. Johnson,
M. C. Gilbert, M. J. R. Wood, K. J. Sargeant*, D. J. Doyle*, A. Holmes* (Capt.), A. L. Jervis. *—Colours. Under 15 Colts XV Selected from—S. W. St. J. Oliver; T. B. Sargeant, P. H.
Blacklock, M. C. Pearson (Joint Capt.), R. J. S. Martin, P. R. Haigh-Lumby;
P. Holmes (Joint Capt.), D. Pollard; A. S. Bowie, J. C. Goodrick, R. P. Taylor,
P. Reaston, D. I. Shackleton (Leader), R. M. Cooper, J. M. Collinson, N. H.
Stone, J. D. Lovell. Under 14 Colts XV Selected from—P. L. Hall (Joint Capt.); J. T. Morley, J. J.
Les, K. D. Bowler, C. J. Watson, R. L. Elsy; I. Robinson (Joint Capt.), M. J.
Jones; C. J. Bond, A. Powell, P. S. K. Crossley, A. N. Lawrence, A. Gray,
A. P. R. Dean, J. R. B. Harding, P. R. Bailey, I. D. Raley.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS : 1st XV
Result F. A. Sat. 1st Oct. Headingley R.U.F.C. Colts Home Drawn 5 5 Wed. 5th Oct. Headingley Wanderers XV Home Lost 8 34 Sat. 8th Oct. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Colts Home Won to 3 Sat. 15th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ... Home Lost 3 16 Wed. 19th Oct. Trent College ... • • • Away Won 19 0 Sat. 22nd Oct. Denstone College • • • Home Lost 8 9 Sat. 5th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... • • • Away Lost 3 8 Wed. 9th Nov. Durham School • • • Home Won 39 0 Sat. 12th Nov. Giggleswick School • • • Home Won 19 0 Sat. 19th Nov. Ampleforth College • • • Away Lost o 3 Wed. 23rd Nov. York R.U.F.C. ... • • • Home Lost o i i Wed. 3oth Nov. Worksop College ... Away Won 8 3 Sat. 3rd Dec. Keil School, Dumbarton Home Cancelled Sat. loth Dec. Old Peterites ... Home Drawn 6 6
2nd XV Wed. 12th Oct. Durham School ... Away Won 3 0 Sat. 15th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ... Home Won 5 3 Wed. 19th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School ... Home Won 11 3 Wed. 2nd Nov. St. John's College, York 3rd XV Home Lost 3 27 Sat. 5th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ... ... Away Drawn 9 9 Sat. 12th Nov. Giggleswick School ... Home Won zo o Sat. 19th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Home Lost 6 15 Wed. 3oth Nov. Worksop College ... Away Won 19 5 28
Wed. Wed. Wed. Wed. Sat. Sat. Sat. 3rd XV 5th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... • • • uth Oct. Durham School ... • • • 19th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School • • • 2nd Nov. Worksop College ... • • • 12th Nov. Giggleswick School ... • • • 19th Nov. Ampleforth College ... • • • 3rd Dec. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. • • • Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Won 8 Won 8 Won 15 Lost o Cancelled Lost 3 Lost o
Under 16 Colts XV Sat. Sat. Wed. Wed. Sat. Wed. Wed. Sat. 8th Oct. Pocklington School 15th Oct. Barnard Castle School 19th Oct. Trent College ... 2nd Nov. Durham School 12th Nov. Giggleswick School 16th Nov. Ampleforth College 23rd Nov. Worksop College 26th Nov. Ashville College ... ... ... • • • • • • • • • • • • ... • • • • • • • • • Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Won 23 Lost 5 Won 42 Won 9 Cancelled Won 9 Won 22 Won 23 0 16 0 3 8 0 3
Under 15 Colts XV Sat. Wed. Sat. Wed. Wed. Wed. Wed. Sat. 8th Oct. Pocklington School ... 12th Oct. Scarborough College ... 15th Oct. Barnard Castle School 2nd Nov. Durham School ... 9th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. 16th Nov. Ampleforth College 23rd Nov. Worksop College 26th Nov. Ashville College ... Home Home Away Home Away Away Home Away Lost Won Lost Drawn Lost Lost Won Won II 3o o 6 6 8 12 12 14 0 14 6 45 19 0 II
Under 14 Colts XV Wed. Wed. Wed. Wed. Sat. 5th Oct. Barnard Castle School 12th Oct. Scarborough College ... znd Nov. Worksop College ... 9th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. 3rd Dec. Pocklington School ... ... ... ... ... ... Home Home Away Away Away Lost Won Lost Lost Lost o 17 o 5 8 12 3 28 46 19
1st Round:
Semi-finals:
Final:
