Rugby

SEASON 1972/73 FIRST XV

Five wins in nine school matches was a creditable record, but with more consistent play, it could have been better. The rucking was weak against Leeds, and the defence and tight scrummaging were disgraceful against Denstone. By contrast, after Denstone, the scrummaging improved to become our main strength, on which we built the victory over Worksop, who had just beaten Denstone. Pallant had learned to take the game to his opponents, and his shrewd captaincy helped to defeat a talented Pocklington side, by twice tempting them offside for penalties.

The tight forwards were strong—hooker Kirby; props Winstanley and Pallant; and the locks Brown and Eddell, who also won good line-out ball. In the back row, Perks was always to the fore in the nicks, Kerruish was prominent in attack and Bruce at No. 8 made some fine tackles.

Frequent injury made Elwen inconsistent at scrum-half, but he scored devastating tries against Giggleswick and Worksop. Coverdale at fly-half was Pallant's tactical adjutant and capable of turning a game, as with his try in the last minutes against Durham.

The centres and wings all had good matches. One recalls Cresswell's great tries at Ashville, Warren's tackling against Giggleswick, and the all-round effort of Baggs and Schmidt, particularly against Ampleforth and Worksop. Schmidt's position was an enigma—wing or centre, or ebullient at scrum-half when Elwen was off the field.

Not least of our assets was Scott, who developed into a good, and potentially a class full-back—it all augurs well for next season.

Unfortunately we were unable to show our best form to a powerful O.P. side: Elwen missed most of the match. We had managed with seven forwards, and even six for a time, against Durham; but could not do so against men. Consequently, runners like David Emsley had more ball and space than they knew what to do with.

Kerruish and Winstanley each had a good trial for Yorkshire Schools. Elwen had a final trial for Durham Schools, then suffered the coup-degrace to his troublesome shoulder. (Let's hope it mends by next season.) Pallant got through to the final trial for Surrey Schools and was selected as reserve.

OTHER TEAMS

The 2nd XV suffered from changes and lack of balance—it was di cult to find a midfield combination for both defence and attack. At its best the team was determined, and may perhaps be proudest of close defeats by powerful opponents—Bradford, Leeds and Scarborough 1st XV. The second-half effort against Scarborough was outstanding.

The 3rd XV had the successful and enjoyable season that has become traditional under Mr. Hirst. Their points tally was a record: For 162, against 43.

The Under 16 Colts have been criticised as a dull side. However, they had an excellent record with only one defeat—their tenacity has been underestimated.

The Under 15 Colts can learn a lesson from that! They have more individual talent than the Under 16, but the forwards must learn to work for possession, and at cover defence.

After a weak start, the Under 14 Colts made great progress, particularly under Mr. Chapman-Smith, a temporary master from New Zealand. Their rucking became so fierce you felt there must be black under the St. Peter's shirts.

J.P.R.

REPORTS OF 1ST XV SCHOOL MATCHES

v. BRADFORD G.S.

St. Peter's lost to Bradford G.S. 15-7. St. Peter's pressed and went ahead with a try by Cresswell.

But for one lapse which allowed Bradford's only try, St. Peter's defended hard and they did well to contain Bradford's numerous attacks.

Kerruish kicked a penalty for St. Peter's, while Bradford also registered a dropped goal, two penalties and a conversion. v. ASHVILLE

St. Peter's beat Ashville 24-3 at Ashville. Coverdale at fly-half dictated the play for St. Peter's, but we only led 4-0 at half-time after Elwen dribbled to score from broken play.

In the second half the St. Peter's pack, with Eddell, Pallant and Perks outstanding, provided possession for four winger's tries—three to Cresswell and one to Schmidt. Kerruish kicked two conversions.

v. DENSTONE

St. Peter's lost to Denstone 44-10. We were unable to contain the powerful Denstone pack.

St. Peter's showed little determination except for Scott at full back, and the wings—Schmidt who scored St. Peter's only try, and Cresswell whose hard tackling was an example. Kerruish kicked two penalties. v. DURHAM

When St. Peter's beat Durham School 13-10 at St. Peter's it was a triumph of determination, for we were without Perks for most of the game, and scrum half Elwen for a time.

He did return but only as a semi-passenger on the wing; Schmidt deputised well at scrum half.

Winstanley and Eddell were outstanding in the depleted pack which managed to provide chances for tries by Cresswell and Coverdale. Scott was sound at full back.

Kerruish kicked a conversion and a penalty for St. Peter's. Durham scored a try and two penalties.

v. GIGGLESWICK

St. Peter's beat Giggleswick 26-0 at St. Peter's. The packs were +fairly even but St. Peter's backs made better use of their possession. Winger Cresswell scored a try from a rebound off a post and another on the blind side. Scrum-half Elwen beat several defenders to score from halfway and scored again from a ruck near the line. Coverdale, Warren and Schmidt were impressive in attack and defence, and Perks worked hard in the loose. Kerruish and Scott each kicked a penalty and a conversion.

v. A MPLEFORTH

St. Peter's lost to Ampleforth 16-11 at Ampleforth. The St. Peter's pack dominated the set pieces, but close marking by Ampleforth prevented many breaks. The talented Ampleforth backs made some deep runs from limited possession but only once were they able to beat the St. Peter's cover for a try. Scott and Bruce made some outstanding tackles.

The other Ampleforth points came from four penalties against one for St. Peter's. Eventually the heavy St. Peter's pressure produced a try apiece for Elwen and Schmidt. v. WORKSOP

St. Peter's beat Worksop 15-6 at Worksop. Kerruish kicked a penalty for St. Peter's, then Worksop scored a converted try. The St. Peter's forwards began to dominate, particularly in the tight, and Boggs scored on the right wing.

Scrum half Elwen, who had been off for 20 minutes with a shoulder injury, returned to score two tries, one after the pack had nearly pushed over, and the other a good individual run from the 25.

The victory was a team effort against a talented side, and after early lapses the tackling was really determined. Kerruish had a welcome return to his best form at wing forward—unhappily not yet matched by his goalkicking!

v. POCKLINGTON

St. Peter's beat Pocklington 10-9 at St. Peter's. Both sides missed opportunities in the first half, but Cresswell did score for St. Peter's after a run by Coverdale from halfway. Woodhead replied with a try for Pocklington which he converted, and he later kicked a penalty.

The second half was marred by stoppages and poor handling. The St. Peter's pack began to dominate ,and Winstanley ,who was outstanding, drove over the line but the try was not allowed. Kerruish and Scott each kicked a penalty for St. Peter's, the winning points coming in the closing minutes.

v. LEEDS G.S.

St. Peter's lost to Leeds G.S. 16-9 at Leeds. St. Peter's again dominated the set scrums, but Leeds won better possession from the loose and scored four tries. Coverdale scored for St. Peter's after a dummy and run from the 25, and Kerruish converted and kicked a penalty. St. Peter's were in the hunt until the closing minutes when a maul over the Leeds line could have led to a winning score, but careless play led instead to a penalty and the last Leeds try.

1st XV

Result F. A. Sat. 23rd Sept. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Colts XV (home) ••• Lost 6 13 Sat. 30th Sept. Headingley R.U.F.C. Colts XV (home) ••• Won 26 9 Wed. 4th Oct. Headingley Wanderers XV (home) ••• Lost 22 27 Wed. 11th Oct. Duke of Wellington's Regt. (home) ••• Lost 18 38 Sat. 14th Oct Bradford G.S. (home) ... ••• Lost 7 15 Wed. 18th Oct. Ashville College (away) ... ••• Won 24 3 Sat. 21st Oct. Denstone College (home) ... ••• Lost 10 44 Wed. 1st Nov. Durham School (home) ... Won 13 10 Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School (home) ... Won 26 0 Sat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College (away) ... Lost 11 16 Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (away) ... Won 15 6 Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (home) ... Won 10 9 Wed. 13th Dec. Old Peterites (home) ... ... Lost 4 32 Sat. 16th Dec. Leeds G.S. (away) ... ... Lost 9 16

2nd XV Wed. I I th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School (home) Drawn 4 4 Sat. 14th Oct. Bradford G.S. (home) ... Lost 3 32 Wed 18th Oct. Ashville College (home) ... Won 26 4 Wed. 1st Nov. Durham School (home) ... Won 31 9 Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School (away) ... ... ••• Lost 4 22 Wed. 15th Nov. Scarborough College 1st XV (home) ••• Lost 6 20 Sat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) ... ... ••• Lost 7 15 Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (away) ... ••• Won 8 6 Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (home) ... ••• Won 18 7 Sat. 16th Dec. Leeds G.S. (away) ... ... ••• Lost 4 10

3rd XV

Wed. 11th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School (home) ... ••• Won 20 4

Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School (away) ... ••• Won 18 4

Wed. 18th Oct. Ashville College (away) ... ... ••• Won 70 0

Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School (home) ... ... ••• Won 15 0

Wed. 15th Nov. Scarborough College 2nd XV (home) ••• Won 13 0 ilSat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) ... ... .•• Lost 6 17

Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (away) ... ••• Lost 4 6

Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ... ••• Won 16 12

Under 16 Colts XV Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School (home) ••• Won 25 0 Wed. 18th Oct. Ashville College (away) ... ••• Won 17 0 Wed. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College (away) ... ••• Lost 0 16 Wed. 22nd Nov. Durham School (home) ... ••• Won 16 14 Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (home) ... ••• Won 12 6 Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ... ••• Won 6 3

Under 15 Colts XV Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School (home) ••• Won 20 8 Wed. 18th Oct. Ashville College (home) ... ••• Won 26 4 Wed. 1st Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (away) ••• Lost 3 34 Sat. I 1 th Nov. Giggleswick School (away) ... ••• Won 18 9 Wed. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College (away) ... ••• Lost 6 28 Wed. 22nd Nov. Durham School (home) ... .•• Won 28 6 Wed. 29th Nov. Scarborough College (away) ••• Lost 12 22 Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (home) ... ••• Won 49 0 Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (home) ... ••• Won 16 6 35

Under 14 Colts XV Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School (away) ... Lost 6 28 Wed. 1st Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (away) ... ... Lost 4 54 Wed. 29th Nov. Scarborough College (away) ... Won 16 0 Sat. 2nd Dec. Worksop College (home) ... ... Lost 8 24 Sat. 9th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ... ... Lost 0 22

SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round: Grove beat Temple, 41-0. Queen's beat School House, 24-3. Rise beat Manor 23-0. Semi-Finals : Grove beat Dronfield 13-4. Rise beat Queen's 13-0. Final: Grove beat Rise 7-6.

JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round : Queen's beat Grove 60-0. Rise beat Temple 40-0. School House beat Dronfield 24-0. Semi-Finals : Queen's beat Rise 10-3. School House beat Manor 23-10. Final: Queen's beat School House 15-3.

SCHOOL RUGBY TEAMS

1st XV

P. A. Scott*; G. W. Schmidt, C. F. Baggs, S. J. Warren, I. E. Cresswell; S. P. Coverdale* (Vice-Capt.); R. A. Elwen; P. A. Winstanley*, S. G. D. Kirby, C. D. Pallant* (Capt.), C. J. Brown, D. J. R. Eddell, A. G. B. Perks, M. S. Bruce, R. N. Kerruish*. *—Caps.

2nd XV

C. H. Beall (Vice-Capt.); M. S. Bidgood, P. W. Brumfield, T. M. Bloom R. M. Spencer; E. J. M. Walmsley, A. M. Buckman* (Capt.); P. B. Johnsto R. R. R. Clayburn*, T. N. E. Bowen, P. A. Ramsden, M. W. Berry, T. J Ward*, A. R. 0. Heddle, I. W. Stephenson*.

*—Colours.

3rd XV

R. A. Scott; P. N. Jones, R. J. Hazell, J. A. Mitchell (Capt.), R. M. Harland, D. Snowdon; I. S. Jamieson, N. C. Foley; A. R. Cossins, I. Gray,

N. A. S. Wormald, P. L. Cass, P. M. Shepherd, P. A. Short, T. A. Gibson, M. S. Ray, C. R. Beaulah. Under 16 Colts XV

N. Gray* (Capt.); R. E. Hudson; C. D. C. Turner, G. M. Barnett*,

G. J. Sherratt*, R. F. Pulleyn*; D. M. H. Phillips*, D. N. Potter*; J. P. Iii

Harrison*, T. F. Hudson*, C. J. Smith*, R. J. Holden, M. C. S. Tighe, I Neale* (Vice-Capt.), R. M. Coates-Walker. *—Colours.

Under 15 Colts XV

P. C. Clare; B. M. Kay, T. S. D. Kirby, D. J. Hughes, R. W. Parkinson; J. S. M. Thomas (Vice-Capt.), J. H. Twizell; C. G. A. Morcom, N. R. E. Graham, P. A. Newdick, T. C. Moore, S. Bruce-Jones, J. N. C. Turner, M. P. Haw (Capt.), G. Knowles. Also: R. W. Egleton. Under 14 Colts XV

M. J. Glen; C. T. Brockbank, S. J. Winrow-Campbell, D. I. Riley, N. I. Radford, G. B. Brown, A. D. B. Yates; C. C. Harland (Capt.), C. J. Hirst; J. W. Brooke, P. A. Stemmler, A. S. Newstead, B. L. Gilbert, S. R. F. Stark, M. F. Gargan, M. D. Willetts, A. G. Village, C. P. Sanderson.

The following played for the Old Peterites v. The School on Wednesday, December 13th :—

J. E. Dickinson (Queen's '63—'68); J. R. Wood (Capt.) (Queen's '62—'67), B. D. Shearsmith (School House '54—'59), K. D. Sargeant (School House '64—'69), D. Dove (Temple '59—'64); D. J. Moss (Dronfield '64—'69), D. J. Emsley (Grove '61—'67); R. R. Baldwin (Rise '53—'58), N. Barnes (Queen's '66—'71), K. H. Sargeant (School House '68—'71), H. A. King (Queen's '59—'62), R. C. Hopkinson (Rise '53—'57), J. D. Lovell (Queen's '65—'70), R. G. Bruce (Grove '56—'61), R. A. Spilman (Manor '62—'66).

EASTER TERM 1973

The most notable feature of the Easter Term rugger was the striking successes of the Under 14 Colts team, in sharp contrast to their results in the Christmas Term. Excellent weather provided much-needed time to further the work of the Christmas Term, but more than this the team received a much-needed injection from the flair and enthusiasm of their new Kiwi coach, in the person of David Chapman-Smith. With the team's full co-operation he worked miracles and we are greatly indebted to him.

Several positional changes were still found to be necessary, and the 17 players who played for the team regularly this term were

C. C. Harland (Capt.), A. D. B. Yates, D. I. Riley, R. H. Taylor, P. M. Witty, N. J. Radford, G. B. Brown, C. J. Hirst, J. W. Brooke, A. S. Newstead, B. L. Gilbert, R. F. Hart, S. R. F. Stark, M. F. Gargan, M. D. Willetts, P. A. Stemmler, C. P. Sanderson.

Results were as follows:— Under 15 XV Jan. 27th v. Pocklington School (away) ... ... Lost 13-19 Feb. 7th v. Ampleforth College (away) ... Lost 0-42 Feb. 21st v. Hymers College (home) ... ... Won 19— 3 Feb. 24th v. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (home) ... Won 9— 4 Under 14 XV Jan. 27th v. Feb. 7th v. Feb. 21st v. March 7th v. March 10th v. Pocklington School (home) ... Ampleforth College (away) ... Hymers College (home) Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (home) Scarborough College (home) ... Lost 7-16 Won 7— 4 Won 58— 0 Won 28— 0 Won 56— 0

R.F.H.