Rugby 1st XV
(1975)

Played 22 Won 10 Drawn 2 Lost 10 Points for: 303 Points against: 239.

When it is realised that five of the 1st XV defeats were by a points margin of seven points or less, it can be seen that this has been a fairly good season.

As usual, not possessing many large forwards, our pack had to base its play on being as mobile as possible in order to be most effective. The back-row of A. McClelland, R. Bentley, C. Simmons and, later in the season, Alan Jones, were particularly adept at harassing the opposition, and being quick to any break-down of play. These aspects of the team's play were greatly aided by our second row players, P. Stockwell, S. Moss and, after Christmas, M. Blake, who performed very well in the tight, and also got into supporting positions very quickly. M. Blake was a useful addition to the team in another respect: he could actually catch the ball in the line- out!

The front-row of K. Price, W. Healey, and W. Lambert, performed creditably, particularly so K. Price in his first season of Senior Rugby. When K. Price has decided which side of a maul he should go in and W. Lambert decides that he will actually go into a maul, then both should enjoy their rugby even further.

At the start of the season the pack were not fit or organised enough to supply good ball to the backs. The team lost its opening two games heavily against Wallington and Gunnersbury and it would be an interesting point to debate whether they would have lost or not, if all the Senior players had managed to attend the pre-season training week.

As the season progressed, the forwards began to supply good ball to the backs and, the backs could be confident that they would, at least, receive their own ball.

At scrum-half, J.O'Connell, the Captain was an inspiration to the side. Although dogged by injury, he was an excellent leader both on and off the field. His fly-halves, first M. Strudwick, and later, P. Murtagh, performed capably, although Murtagh's kicking sometimes let him down. M. Searle and B. Pendred in the centre played steadily, though it was apparent there was no-one capable of that very necessary change of pace.

T. Barber, on one wing, received an ample supply of ball, and ran in some excellent tries. His speed was a great asset to the side and a potent attacking weapon.

Three players, at various times, played on the other wing: R. Burdett, Andrew Jones, and M. Zambuni. All played reasonably well, Zambuni eventually making the place his, as he was just the fastest.

R. Owsley was the regular full-back. At times worried by high kicks, he persevered, and greatly improved, particularly in his positional play.

If one game were to be singled out for special comment, I should choose the match against the Old Boys. With a history of large defeats against the Old Boys, and playing against a much heavier and more experienced side, the School played a hard harassing game which put the Old Boys out of their stride and made the result a far from foregone conclusion. The result of 17-7 to the Old Boys was no disgrace to the school team.

After Christmas, the bad weather, and consequent cancellation of matches, broke the rhythm of the team and it was left to the Devon tour and the Sevens tournaments to round off an interesting season

Congratulations are due to T. Barber, W. Healey and A. McClelland who represented the County.

Full Colours were awarded to:

T. Barber, A. McClelland, J. O'Connell.

Half Colours were awarded to:

R. Bentley, W. Healey, P. Murtagh, R. Owsley, K. Price, M. Searle, P. Stockwell.

The Barber Cup for the most improved player of the season was awarded to M. Blake.

A final word of thanks to all those ladies who organised the teas and who were so cheerful and efficient.

A special thank you to Mrs. Simmons who organised the teas so capably. I hope that her son's leaving the school will not mean it will be the last we shall see of her at school functions.