Rugby 1st XV
(1973-74)

Played 20, Won 5, Lost 15. For 118, Against 382

With a nucleus of experienced players returning from last season's team, it would have been natural for the players this year to expect to enjoy a successful season. In fact, apart from a few patches of good play, most of the players must have felt frustration in their inability to establish a winning combination. The team, though enthusiastic, found it difficult to maintain its standard of play throughout a match

The early season games served as an example of the doctrine that the basis of good rugby stems from the forwards gaining good possession for the backs. Whereas our forwards managed to hold their own in the tight scrums against most schools, they were too slow about the field and in getting the ball on to our side and in our hands. Thus, on many occasions, as our forwards pushed the opposition back in the loose, the all-important facets of play of making the ball available and keeping one's eyes open, were ignored in the enthusiasm of the moment, and the opposition gained possession. Consequently, the backs were often unsure as to whether we could win ball and this led to a certain indecisiveness on their part. When good ball did come, as it did as the season progressed and the forwards settled down, it was often wasted by hurried passing or kicking

The first half of the match against a very strong St. Benedict's side saw the School play its most sustained and entertaining rugby of the season. It is perhaps typical of the season to say that the side could not convert this possession into points and still ended the half by being down. It is interesting that the team played best when down by several points. It was as if this added pressure was necessary before the team realised it had a game on its hands, by which time it was often too late. There was a tendency for the physical side of the game in practice sessions to be lacking in aggression and this weakness in approach became apparent in matches.

A. Essex, R. Bentley and S. Taylor, all deserve special mention as they were playing in their first season of senior rugby.

John Hall had a particularly difficult task as Captain, and I should like to thank him for all his efforts.

A special word of thanks is due to all the ladies who provided the team and spectators with excellent teas.