Rugby Reports 02
(1956-57)

Rugby, Season 1956-7

At the end of the first full rugby season, the School can be satisfied with the record of its teams, which, playing most of their fixtures away, managed to win more than half of them by playing attractive, attacking rugby.

The performance of the teams deteriorated after Christmas, when the coach provided by Middlesex County Council to take boys to the pitch at South Ruislip was withdrawn because of petrol rationing. Queensmead School generously made the pitch available to us but, without transport, it was difficult to use it on school days.

We are grateful to all opponents for acting as hosts to teams which lack the stimulus of sixth-form rugby and which cannot, as yet, return the invitation.

UNDER 14 XV

This team achieved its best results before Christmas. Attacking play reached a high standard but this was offset by a weakness in the defence when under pressure. Although the powerful backs did not always make the most of their opportunities, the forwards, with Maddams, Worley, Robson and Harris often prominent, played consistently well throughout the season. Maddams, the Captain, developed into an excellent leader and, with Robson and Lockyear, was awarded Junior Colours.

UNDER 13 XV

The play of the Under 13 XV was particularly promising in that the players developed a high standard of teamwork, forwards and backs co-operating to produce fast, open rugby.

Gathergood, the captain, Sanderson and Loveday, played consistently well, but all the threequarters were prolific scorers given the opportunities of a dry ball.

UNDER 12 XV

The Under 12 XV were unable to practise on a rugby pitch after Christmas and, consequently, they were slow to settle down to their new game. Stokes showed promise as a captain, Wormald flashes of brilliance from scrum-half, and Gilbert coolness at full-back.