Oct 1980

RUGBY FIRST XV After an extremely successful season in 1978, it is obviously very disappointing to record only two wins in twelve matches last season. With seven colours returning one hoped for a reasonably successful year without it being outstanding. What went wrong ?

Firstly, most of the returning colours did not make the expected improvement and impact another year's maturity should have given. Unfortunately Kevin Clarkson, the fastest threequarter suffered continually from torn hamstrings as a result of Autumn term athletics. (Must we handicap ourselves every year by having such a farcial attempt to do athletics in the Autumn and at the same time attempt to play rugby at a high level ? Both suffer, one should logically go.) Cliff Irwin suffered from migraine and was only selected for five matches, the rest of the time he acted as replacement, whilst Paul Johnson doggedly continued to play with a nagging ankle injury that troubled him for a substantial part of the season.

In addition to injuries to old colours, several other players who had established themselves as prominent 1st XV players, in particular Nigel Chapman, Jonathan Brierley and James Gair, all received injuries serious enough to miss a substantial part of the season. Altogether 28 players represented the 1st XV compared with 19 the previous season.

Another major factor contributing to such a poor season was the diabolical tackling of a minority of the team, but the majority of the backs by which 235 points were conceded in 12 games. Tackling is 25% technique and the rest determination and courage. Some players fell short on both.

Looking closer at the units, whilst the backs' defence was always suspect, the attacking flair of the backs was only realised in two games. When Nigel Chapman was injured, the back line never functioned effectively in attack for the remainder of the season.

The forwards had strengths but also too many weaknesses to be able to dominate and dictate games when it was necessary to change the style of play.

The front row of Paul Johnson, Simon Webb and Simon Longthorp, all from the Lower Sixth were a very efficient unit and very effective in the loose.

They would have been a formidable trio the following season if they had completed two years in the Sixth. What a tragedy that not one stayed on.

Rod Craig at lock was supported by Alistair Carder-Geddes. The former's strength was in the line-outs, and this was augmented by Guy Nettleton, at Number 8 who whilst more at home in the second row, took over the Number 8 position and performed extremely creditably in defence although his handling and ball distribution was found wanting at times. Unfortunately, the other two first choice Hankers, James Gair and Jonathan Brierley rarely played together because of injury and their replacements were unable to cope with the demands of 1st XV rugby.

The first match against the Retiring Captain's XV in which all of the previous season's 1st XV except John Healey played saw the School get off to a good start being only 6-7 pts. down at half-time. In the second half the School lost both props and the stronger opposition's forwards with considerably more possession ran strongly to expose the weak defence of the backs.

Against Silcoates, the visitors scored twelve points in the first ten minutes whilst the School were still trying to put their game together. Thereafter the game was more even although the opposition's pack always had the edge in both set pieces and open play. What ball the School got was often squandered by poor decision making. A penalty goal by Chapman made the final score 3-12 pts.

An improved performance at Woodhouse Grove resulted in a 16-9 pts. victory. The pack with Simon Webb hooking produced more ball for a back 98