Rugby 1st XV Tour to
Yorkshire, 1970-71

It had not gone unnoticed, during the course of the season, that considerable and various as might be the talents of Mr. Gibson, and untarnished as might be his reputation as an organiser of half-time oranges, in matters of rather greater complexity his plans had not, as a general rule, proved flawless. To the more astute, the events of preceding months made it seem unlikely that the tour would proceed far without a major hitch. Hence the arrival of our coach was greeted with mild surprise, which gave way to astonishment when, on closer examination, it was revealed that the coach which Mr. Gibson had organised did indeed have the requisite number of wheels, and an engine, and most surprisingly, came equipped with Norman who seemed reconciled to the idea that he was going to drive us to Skipton.

On arrival nineteen listless schoolboys emerged into the night. It was at this point that we were first permitted to glimpse the ingenuity of Mr. Gibson's approach to the tour. Sensing perhaps that a tour to Skipton was decidedly more pregnant with possibilities of boredom than the originally planned French trip, he proposed to remedy the situation. This he determined to do by invoking the participation of chance in the tour, so that for five days certainty was replaced by mere speculation and an aura of glorious uncertainty quite precluded any chance of dullness. In this object he was ably abetted throughout by Mr. Cox.

The first night was spent in an attempt to solve the accommodation problem (Highfield House could only take two thirds of the team). Under Mr. Gibson's guidance this involved endless permutations of boys, rooms and beds before conjuring the final decision as to which six boys should sleep in a different hotel. This feeling of uncertainty reached a climax on the third day, when, arriving to play Crossley and Porter School, we discovered that they were not expecting us until the following day and furthermore that they reckoned on our fielding two sides.

The team's touring record was consistent; we lost all three matches. Crossley and Porter produced a strong side, and we lost a hard and enjoyable match because our opponents showed greater imagination when opportunities arose. The game against Heath (lost 18-6) was less satisfactory and might, with more luck, have been won by a similar margin. The final match against Ermysteds was more notable for the excellent meal which followed and, (no less appreciated), the pleasant aspect presented by the waitress in serving it, than for anything which occurred during the eighty minutes.

The disappointing performances are not explained by lack of effort. Everyone pulled his weight, it was merely that the northern boys pulled theirs with rather more gusto. We might have fared better had not Warby's injury deprived us of the initiative and accurate tactical kicking of a first-rate stand-off; a loss for which his vociferous attempts to influence play from the touchline never really compensated.

Although Mr. Cox did once succumb to geography, by arranging a visit to Malham Cove, for the most part we found our own amusement. Many chose to explore the town, or went off to reconnoitre its indigineous population; from one such expedition Smith and Cox re-appeared with two specimens of a provincial species of girl in whom the lack of traditional feminine virtues did not go unremarked. Beer was consumed in customary quantities. A cattle market gave those who were inclined a chance to play at stockbreeders and impress everyone with their grasp of the relevant jargon. Parish proved to be most amusing and there was never really a dull moment. Mr. Gibson's magical mystery tour was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

F. LIEBLING, M6A