Oct 1978

RUGBY 1977-78 FIRST XV The opening game of the season against the Retiring Captain's side consisting of fourteen Old Peterites proved to be a popular innovation.

The power of the O.P.'s pack dictated the early play but as the game progressed the School's backs, who had hitherto defended strongly, were able to demonstrate pace and versatility to run in six tries by C. Burdass (3), N. Squire (2) and N. Denison.

In the following match against Headingley Colts played under blustery conditions on a hard ground, the School failed to capitalise on ample possession and could only manage two tries by K. Kerr and K. Clarkson.

Clarkson, the fastest back by far, broke a collar bone and did not play again for the rest of the term. This was to herald the start of a disastrous season of injuries in which by half term only one of the regular backs had managed to play all the games.

Against Silcoates, the School started very lethargically and a reorganised back line looked disjointed. particularly in defence. There was a lack of support particularly by the forwards who did not maintain the continuity when the ball was in the hands, a characteristic which persisted in some senior players throughout the season. The resultant win by two penalty goals scored by J. Hughes was indicative of a poor display by the School.

The intervention of Sports Day proved costly. R. Prudom, a strong running centre, pulled a hamstring; however, it allowed I. Hindhaugh, a talented fifth-former, to play his first game against Woodhouse Grove.

Despite the close scores, St. Peter's were comfortably on top with an early try by R. Turner, who was consistently prominent in the loose, and two penalties by J. Hughes. J. Wilson, who had made such a promising start to the season and had secured the scrum-half position despite severe competition, had to leave the field with a shoulder injury.

The reorganised side lost their fluency and allowed the opposition to come more into the game.

After four consecutive wins the School were forced to defend for most of the game against Bradford G.S., the strongest opposition of the season, the only score coming from a dropped goal by C. Burdass.

To the School's credit it should be noted that Bradford were made to defend desperately during the last quarter of the game.

Against Ashville, the School's forwards dominated the game from the start with tries by J. Ellison, M. Gargan, J. Wilson and R. Prudom but an entertaining first half was followed by a complacent, disjointed second half.

The final match before half term at Denstone saw an extremely depleted team put up a determined first half without scoring against a sound defence. In the second half, Denstone gained the ascendancy to outrun the School's makeshift threequarters despite the acres of ground covered by J. Ellison in the unaccustomed role of full back.

It was hoped that half term would relieve the injury problem, but against one of the best Giggleswick sides for many a year in which the School were outplayed for most of a fast, open, clean game, four players hobbled off the field and were unfit for the following Saturday against 65