Rugger

RUGGER, 1975-76

FIRST XV

We ended the season as a good, well-balanced team. Only five of the thirteen School matches were lost but with the potential available the record should have been better. We got off to our usual lethargic start with some of the more established players not hitting form until after mid-term. One feels this is partly as a result of the lack of opportunity to prepare a future 1st XV during the Easter term as do several of our opponents. Three weeks' preparation prior to the first match is hardly adequate after an eight-month lay off.

Initially the handling of the backs was woeful; however, once Twizell had learnt to give the ball straight out with Thomas and Pulleyn running on to the pass, it looked superb. Everything came right against Worksop whilst at Pocklington the forwards stuck doggedly at powerful opponents and the backs were sharp enough to capitalise. The defence could also be very good. The draw with Leeds and the one point defeat at Durham showed us at our most determined. None tackled better than wingers Glaysher and Denison who was promoted from the Under 16 Colts.

At full back Potter could win matches with goal kicking and his fielding too was sound. The captain, Pulleyn, playing in the centre tried to do too much on his own but later scored some electric tries. The other centre, Kirby, also improved to play a well-balanced game. He scored the crucial try at Denstone and had an excellent game against Worksop.

At fly half Thomas became so dominant that it is hard to remember his early lapses. Later on, he looked a player of real class with his competitive determination proving decisive against Pocklington. Twizell at scrum half was inclined to try too much himself, then found he could give a sharp service and did so.

Graham won selection for the hooking spot against severe competition and he was strongly propped by Dench and Sherratt. Lister at lock was strong and surprisingly mobile—the cornerstone of the pack. In the early games we would have collapsed without him. The other lock, Stemmler, whose inclination is to rove the field, disciplined his game and still produced some great covering particularly at Barnard Castle. flaw at No. 8 was the fittest in the side and he was particularly prominent in the early games. Parker, a flanker promoted from the Under 16's has great potential as a mauling forward. His try against Leeds where he drove over after a boot and chase by Haw was typical of them both. The other flanker Turner was strong in the close exchanges.

During the Christmas vacation Thomas played for the Durham County Under 19 Schools and Pulleyn and Lister had Yorkshire Under 19 Schools trials.

They were a good team with a good spirit. All but two of the defeats (Bradford and Ampleforth) could just as easily have been victories.

Team: Potter, Glaysher, Kirby, Pulleyn (Capt.), Denison, Thomas, Twizell, Dench, Graham, Sherratt, Stemmler, Lister, Turner, Flaw, Parker. All were awarded Colours, and Caps were awarded to Pulleyn, Thomas and Lister.

SECOND XV !II If winning is all important, then the 2nd XV had a mediocre season.

They won five and lost six of their eleven fixtures. However, as crowd pleasers they could hardly have been better, as less than two goals separated both sides on nine of the eleven matches.

Despite playing some entertaining rugby their lack of penetration in attack, and weak tackling under pressure, cost them many a victory.

The talent in the side was undisputed and from the selected XV no less than nine players had experience in the 1st's. However, talent and enjoyment do not win matches and so it is difficult to judge the season on results alone. Those players who represented the lst's did so commendably and selection of Colours was made difficult with R. W. Egleton, D. I. Riley and

A. J. S. Temple finally taking the honours. The final analysis was made on their contribution to the 2nd XV, and though other boys would be justified in considering themseleves better players—none gave better service.

The following were official Second Team players: N. J. Radford, P. C,

Clare, B. M. Kay, C. C. Harland, A. J. S. Temple, D. I. Riley, G. B. Brown.

M. D. Willetts, R. W. Egleton, G. Knowles, D. R. Duthie, T. C. Moore,

S. Bruce-Jones (Capt.), P. A. Newdick, A. S. Newstead, R. F. Hart.

T.T.

THIRD XV

After a number of lean years, the 3rd XV discovered an excellent enthusiasm for the game and a skill and winning capacity which surprised several people, not least the players themselves.

Slow to find their rhythm early on and betrayed by two or three incidents of flat-footedness they went down 0-24 to Silcoates 2nd XV.

The next match at Woodhouse Grove produced an 11-0 victory and some of their best rugby, with Harland's experience crucial in the centre, and Glover, a late arrival on the scene, showing us all, and himself, that he could play a bit in the back row. With growing confidence they tackled, and convincingly defeated, Barnard Castle in a game where the team's new attitude was best illustrated by Driffield's dogged refusal to stay off the field, while suffering an unpleasant arm injury.

Scarborough College gave way in a rather untidy fixture and then came the first real reversal at Giggleswick. A long journey, possibly, had dulled the edge of many players and this apathy permeated the rest of the team, going down to a useful side which they had heavily defeated the previous year.

In a 3-0 victory over Fyling Hall 1st XV, a little confidence was restored, however nervously, thanks, as it turned out to a fine Simon Wallace penalty. Simon's place-kicking, often of siege-gun proportions, threatened visiting sides often and took him into Queen Anne's field on a few occasions.

Ampleforth, more powerful then even they have been for some years, were held to 0-21 in atrocious conditions, thanks to a determined defence and even some impressive attack. In this defeat, ironically, some of the confidence returned and the ball started moving again. The return match at home to Fyling Hall was again hard-fought and enthusiastically supported on both sides. That we were eventually clear winners does little credit to a keen and friendly team whom we hope to entertain for many years.

Worksop, who had defeated us last year, were a most impressive-looking 43

side in the early part of the game but were overwhelmed by a fine exhibition of back-up play and we came home 39-0.

The final match against Pocklington proved to be a little too much and thwarted any plans to finish a good season on a high note. None the less, the spirit prevalent during the season was a credit to all the team and to the captaincy of Niall Monro who showed a fine example in his pressure kicking from set pieces.

Players: Abbey, Clout, Collingwood-Gittins, Dalby, Day, R. C. C. Dee, Dietrich, Driffield, Duthie, Gargan, Glover, M. Gray, Harland, C. P. Johnson, K. W. Kerr, G. J. King, N. P. Monro (Capt.), T. C. Moore, Snowdon, R. H. Taylor, R. M. Turner, Wallace, Simpson, Winrow-Campbell, Witty. A.W.R.

UNDER 16 XV (Senior Colts)

The Senior Colts season got off to a fine start with over 100 points being scored in the first four matches, thanks to fine wins against Hymers College, Ashville College and Nunthorpe G.S. 2nd XV. Victories against Ampleforth and Durham in mid-season were nail-biting affairs but the School pulled off the necessary efforts. The remaining matches were good matches and the final victory against a strong Pocklington side completed a remarkable unbeaten season.

At full back Julian Hughes tackled most bravely and was responsible for more than one victory. The wingers James McKinlay and Edward Parkinson ran strongly and were always difficult to stop. In the centre Philip Kilmartin was most elusive and Paul Johnson frequently cut through the opposition to make good tries. John Glen was a fine captain and always marshalled his side well. Gordon Tait did well, quickly getting the ball away yet making elusive runs on his own on many occasions.

In the forwards Paul Morcom hooked well and was ably supported by Stephen Humphreys and Tim Newstead, the latter being perhaps the most devastating player in the side, with his turn of speed which often shocked the opposition. In fact Tim was leading try scorer which is all the more remarkable from prop. The lock forwards Kevin Kerr (a fine leader) and Chris Hawkswell pushed many packs back and claimed much possession in the line-outs. Mark Wilson, Roddy Turner, Gary King and Adrian Wright all covered miles of ground covering and gaining loose possession in addition to scoring tries.

All this was achieved without the services of Nigel Denison and Mike Parker who deservedly gained selection for the 1st XV.

The team was: J. J. R. Hughes, H. J. McKinlay, C. P. Johnson, P. S. Kilmartin, E. M. Parkinson, M. J. Glen, G. W. Tait, S. W. Humphreys, J. P. Morcom, T. J. Newstead, C. Hawkswell, K. W. Kerr, A. J. Wright, G. J. King, A. R. Turner, M. E. Wilson.

All were awarded their Colts' XV Colours.

UNDER 15 'A' XV

The team, comprising a number of powerful and talented players, proved more than a match for most of their opponents, as the results clearly indicate.

Notable victories were gained against Archbishop Holgate's G.S. when 44

the team played splendidly to over-run a competent side 32-6, and against Ampleforth College when, having lost a first match 14-20, the team once again showed its potential by winning a second encounter 8-4.

However, against stern opposition the team sometimes tended to lose

its sense of collective responsibility and individual skills were squandered

through lack of cohesion.

Next season greater maturity should bring good prospects for the team which has been very ably led by Nicholas Hare and Julian Wilson.

D.H.

UNDER 14 COLTS XV

A record of six victories out of sixteen matches does not normally provide optimism for the future; however, such bald facts do little credit to the players.

This year's intake was characterised by a considerable lack of pace and size which, whilst being necessary requisites at all levels of rugby, are particu- larly decisive factors at this level. These were partly offset by a depth of skill and enthusiasm well above average. Several matches were lost by narrow margins often as a result of breakaway tries as was the case against Barnard Castle, Pontefract and Hymers, but against sides of comparable physique, the quality of rugby produced was extremely high as exhibited against Ashville,

Silcoates and Ampleforth.

Although the side lacked outstanding players it was pleasing to see the development of a back division which when given good ball produced slick movements sometimes nullified by the faster opposition's cover. Both

wingers, Julian Guy and John Howie, improved enormously whilst the strong

running of Charles Burdass at fly half and Ian Hindhaugh well comple-

mented the highly skilful play of Nigel Chapman. Mike Johnson developed I into a competent scrum half with a shrewd kick and an eye for a break whilst

Peter Burdess at full back always gave of his best and never lacked courage.

The forwards were well led by Cliff Irwin at loose head prop. He pro- vided a sound base for hooker Mike Thompson who with David Gardner at tight head prop worked tirelessly in the loose. The locks, Rod Craig and

Julian Clayton provided a plentiful supply of line out ball but lacked aggres- sion in the loose. This was partly offset by two of the most outstanding for- ' wards, Paul Greenwood and Paul Nicholls, ably backed up by Guy Nettleton at No. 8.

After a disastrous start, the Colts have undoubtedly improved in both individual and team skills. Their lack of size and speed will always make matches difficult to win but if all the team can retain their enthusiasm there 1 is no reason why these players in future years should not develop into a well- balanced team capable of playing a good standard of enjoyable rugby.

The Under 14 'Ws had a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable season with only one of their four defeats being against a genuine U.14 'B' side. Like !the 'A' XV they lacked physique and speed but never enthusiasm or skill.

Under Chantry's captaincy the quality of their play was of an extremely high level. Several players when brought into the 'A' XV gave a good account of themselves, notably Rowbottom, Lister, Lodge and Wilson. The depth of nt was fir indicated when a 'C' XV played their one and only match and need Hymers College by 30-3.

This was played on the last Saturday of term with snow lying on the pitch It was a great occasion, a festive match, the Old Boys winning by a singl point 14-13. As far as the School is concerned, it was a fitting end to th Christmas term, far better than the Wednesday fixture, parents and old boy' were watching in force as well as the School. The Universities had comel down and contributed recent Old Boys as players and spectators; old friend were everywhere. Despite the snow, it was not at all a bad game with Ha and Pulleyn prominent for the School and Phillips and Dickinson for th s Old Boys.

We sympathise with those O.P. players whose commitments with senio ' club sides preclude Saturday but is it really a bad thing? They often make th O.P. side too strong for the boys and they may keep out of the O.P. sid s players who otherwise rarely play rugger. In the years ahead when they ha v dropped from their Club and County 1st XV's into coarse rugby they wi S find nostalgia and a warm welcome in the O.P. side and also from the Scho side anxious to take advantage of their anno domini!

J.P.R.

MORRIS-McGRATH TROPHY

There were several contenders for the most improved player. Runners u were David Riley and Anthony Temple both of whom became very goo( 2nd XV players, but the winner, David Lister won his 1st XV cap in his firs year on Game 1. Though a team player up the School, he was not out standing. This season, particularly in the early games, he carried the whole pack with him in the heavy work which is essential for a team's success. J.P.R.

RESULTS First XV

Result F. A Sat. 27th Sept. Headingley R.U.F.C. Colts (home) Lost 6 1I S, Wed. 1st Oct. Wed. 8th Oct. Silcoates School (home) ... Won Woodhouse Grove School (away) Lost 166 2 \ Sk,

Sat. 11th Oct. Bradford G. S. (home) ... Lost 4 3 11

Wed. 15th Oct. Ashville College (home) Sat. 18th Oct. Denstone College (away) Sat. 1st Nov. Leeds G. S. (home) ...

Won 21 1 Won 9 ■ \I I s ... Drew 10 Wed. 5th Nov. Giggleswick School (away)... ... ... Won Sat. 8th Nov. The King's School, Pontefract (away) ... Lost 16 S 7 1 N Na Sat. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) ... ... ... Lost 3 \\ Wed. 19th Nov. Barnard Castle School (away) ... ••• Won 12 1 S., Sat. 22nd Nov. Durham School (away) ... ... ... Lost 6 Vs

Wed. 26th Nov. "A" XV v Scarborough College (home) Won 22 1 11 Sat. 29th Nov. Worksop College (home) ... Won 32 Sa Sat. 6th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ... Won 25 1 Sa Sat. 13th Dec. Old Peterites (home) ... ... Lost 13 1

Second XV

IA Wed. 8th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School (away) ••• Won 8 V, Sat. 11th Oct, Bradford G. S. (home) ••• Lost 3 NA Wed. 15th Oct. Ashville College (away) ••• Lost 3 Sa Sat. 1st Nov. Leeds G. S. (home) ••• Lost 9 W Wed. 5th Nov. Giggleswick School (home) ... ... ••• Won 50 Sa Sat. 8th Nov. The King's School, Pontefract (away) • • • Lost 13 1 W 46

1Sat. 15th Nov. Wed. 19th Nov. Sat. 22nd Nov. Sat. 29th Nov. Sat. 6th Dec.

'l

Wed. 1st Oct.

Wed. 8th Oct.

Sat. I I th Oct.

Wed. 15th Oct. r Wed. 5th Nov. e Sat. 8th Nov. Sat 15th Nov. e Sat. 22nd Nov. c Wed. 26th Nov. II Sat. 29th Nov. )1 Sat. 6th Dec.

I Wed. 8th Oct.

Sat. I Ith Oct.

Wed. 15th Oct. P 1Wed. 5th Nov. u Wed. 12th Nov.

Wed. 19th Nov. t- Sat. 29th Nov. le Wed. 3rd Dec.

Sat. 6th Dec.

Wed. 8th Oct.

Sat. I I th Oct.

Wed. 15th Oct. \ . Wed. 5th Nov. 10 Sat. 8th Nov. 9 Wed. 12th Nov. !3 Sat. 15th Nov. 12 Wed. 19th Nov. 19 Sat. 22nd Nov. 3 Wed. 26th Nov. II Sat. 29th Nov. 12 Wed. 3rd Dec. 2'- Sat. 6th Dec. 44 Wed. 21st Jan. 11 Sat. 24th Jan.

Wed. 4th Feb. I" Wed. 11th Feb. 4 Sat. 14th Feb. 10 Sat. 21st Feb. 14

Wed. 15th Oct. 0 Wed. 5th Nov. 6 Wed. 12th Nov. 12 ' Sat. 22nd Nov. 26'Wed. 26th Nov. 41Sat. 24th Jan. I ` i Wed. 18th Feb. 1 Ampleforth College (away) ... Barnard Castle School (away) Durham School (away) ... Worksop College (home) ... Pocklington School (away) ... Lost Lost Won Won Won 12 3 13 11 12 24 11 7 4 10

Third XV

Silcoates 2nd XV (home) Woodhouse Grove (away)

... Lost 0 24 ... Won 11 0 Barnard Castle (home) ... Won 30 0 Ashville College (home) ... Won 23 6 Giggleswick (away) ... Lost 4 30 Fyling Hall 1st XV (away) ... Won 3 0 Ampleforth (away) ... Lost 0 21 Fyling Hall 1st XV (home) ... ... ... Won 24 6 Scarborough College 2nd XV (home) Won 21 0 Worksop College (home) ... Won 39 0 Pocklington School (home) ... Lost 3 23

Under 16 Colts XV

Hymers College (home) ... ... Won 30 10 Barnard Castle School (away) •• . Won 16 0 Ashville College (home) ... •• • Won 29 0

Nunthorpe G. S. (home) ...

•• . Won 26 3 Ampleforth College (home) • • • •• • Won 11 7 Durham School (home) ... •• • Won 12 7 Worksop College (away) ... ... Won 20 3 Nunthorpe G. S. (away) ... ... Won 17 6 Pocklington School (home) ... ... Won 14 0

Under 15 Colts XV

Woodhouse Grove School (home) Won 42 0 Barnard Castle School (away) Won 18 6 Ashville College (away) ... Lost 0 19 Giggleswick School (home) ... ... Won 33 0 The King's School, Pontefract (home) Lost 4 28 Ampleforth College (home) ... •.• •• • Lost 14 20 Silcoates School (away) ... •• . Won 20 7 Durham School (home) ... ... Won 36 0 Scarborough College (away) ... ... Won 90 0 Hymers College (away) ... ... •• • Won 20 7 Worksop College (away)... ... •• • Won 12 4 Archbishop Holgate's G. S. (home) ... •• • Won 32 6 Pocklington School (away) ... ... •• • Lost 6 13 Hymers College (home) ... •• • Won 55 0 Pocklington School (home) ... •• • Lost 8 10 Ampleforth College (home) ... ... ... Won 8 4 Archbishop Holgate's G. S. (away) ... Lost 6 10

Silcoates School (home) Ashville College (home) • •• ... Won Lost 23 4 0 15

Under 15 Colts "B" XV

Ashville College (away) ... •• • Lost 14 25

Giggleswick School (home) ...

•• • Won 20 18 Nunthorpe G. S. "A" XV (home) ... Lost 0 62 Durham School (away) ... ... Lost 4 17 Hymers College (away) ... •• • Won 36 8 Pocklington School (home) ... ... Won 11 10 Hymers College "A" XV (away) ... ' Lost 10 15 47

Wed. 8th Oct. Sat. 11th Oct. Wed. 29th Oct. Sat. 8th Nov. Sat. 15th Nov. Wed. 19th Nov. Sat. 22nd Nov. Wed. 26th Nov. Sat. 29th Nov. Sat. 6th Dec. Wed. 21st Jan. Wed. 4th Feb. Wed. 11th Feb. Sat. 14th Feb. Wed. 18th Feb. Sat. 21st Feb.

Wed. 8th Oct. Wed. 15th Oct. Sat. 8th Nov. Sat. 15th Nov. Wed. 19th Nov. Sat. 22nd Nov. Wed. 26th Nov. Wed. 21st Jan. Sat. 14th Feb. Wed. 18th Feb. Woodhouse Grove School (home) ... Barnard Castle School (home) ... ... Archbishop Holgate's G. S. (home) ... The King's School, Pontefract (home) Silcoates School (away) ... Durham School (home) ... Scarborough College (away) ... Hymers College (home) ... Worksop College (away) ... Pocklington School (home) ... Hymers College (away) ... ... Ampleforth College (home) ... Archbishop Holgate's G. S. (away) Silcoates School (home) ... Hymers College (home) ... ... Ashville College (home) ...

Under 14 Colts "B" XV

Woodhouse Grove School (home) ... Nunthorpe G. S. "A" XV (away) ... Fyling Hall School Junior XV (away) Silcoates School (away) Durham School (home) Fyling Hall School Junior XV (home) Hymers College (home) Hymers College (away) Silcoates School (home) Hymers College (home) Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Won Lost Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won

Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won Won

Wed. 18th Feb. Under 14 Colts "C" XV

Hymers College (home) ... Won 30

SUMMARY OF RESULTS, 1975-76

P. W. D. L. F.

1st XV (Inter-School matches) 13 7 5 187

2nd XV 11 5 0 6 137 3rd XV 11 7 0 4 158 Under 16 Colts XV 9 9 0 0 175 Under 15 "A" XV 19 12 0 7 431 Under 15 "B" XV 7 3 0 4 95 Under 14 "A" XV 16 6 0 10 179 Under 14 "B" XV 10 6 0 4 210 Under 14 "C" XV 1 1 0 0 30

RUGBY FIXTURES, 1976

Saturday 25th Sept. Headingley Colts Wednesday 29th Sept. Silcoates School Wednesday 6th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School Saturday 9th Oct. Bradford G. S. Wednesday 13th Oct. Ashville College Saturday 16th Oct. Denstone College Wednesday 20th Oct. Hymers College Wednesday 3rd Nov. Giggleswick School ... Saturday 6th Nov. The King's School, Pontefract

A. 206 122 110 36 149 155 he 188 75