Rugby Reports 04
(1958-59)

UNDER 16 XV 1958-59

By Mr. J. G. Lee

Unfortunately six games were missed because of bad weather but in the ten games played the team was undefeated.

A much better team spirit brought with it a vast improvement in teamwork and more consistent performances by all members of the side.

Without doubt the mainstay of the side was the pack. Worley and Harris were again outstanding, being well supported this year by Grove and Williams. Bliss, the hooker, had a good season and gained a very good share of the ball..

The captain, Maddams, in an emergency adequately filled the scrum-half position, and although his service was slow his defence was excellent. Snook C. returned to School in September four or five yards faster and his play at fly-half was greatly improved, his breaks being the most dangerous feature of the backs' play. The other backs occasionally produced a good standard of play but too often lacked the continual thrust and determination necessary in Senior Rugby. Lockyear was very sound at full back.

This has been an excellent year promising well for the very hard season ahead which, for the first time, includes many 1st XV fixtures.

J.G.L.

UNDER 15 XV

By Mr. W. J. "Bill" Thomas

This was not a very spectacular season as a whole, owing to a lack of consistency in the play. There were however two notable games, one at Merchant Taylors where, after a wonderful fight, we lost by 6 points, the other at Windsor, where the play of the backs probably reached its peak. This latter was won 14 points to nil.

Congratulations must go to Baker, Backshall and Sanderson on being selected for the Middlesex Colts XV and not least to Gathergood for his admirable captaincy.

W.J.T.

UNDER 14 XV

By Mr. J. B. Astbury

The performance of the Under 14 team was extremely disappointing. Lack of speed and technical efficiency can be compensated for only by intelligent play as a team and by determination. Unfortunately, this latter quality was almost invariably missing from the play of the Under 14 team. One or two individuals, notably Wormald, who had another excellent season, and Curtis, were responsible for almost all the tackling which was done, whilst Ingram, with some forceful play later in the season, and Dawson, with some excellent hooking, did most of the work done by the forwards. It is to be hoped that the team will begin to show some fight and a refusal to give in as soon as the opposing side opens its score.

J.B.A.

UNDER 13 XV

By Mr. D. J. Holness

The 1958/59 season started disastrously with three defeats in succession. Charitably we placed the blame on the unusually wet conditions which prevented any school games on the Queensmead pitches until late in the half-term.

After this bad patch, however, the team began to come into its own and registered a row of resounding wins, best among them being the defeats of R.G.S., High Wycombe, 35-3, Downer 35-0, and Pinner 47-5.

Anyone who saw the Under 13 side playing will agree that they play with great determination and not a little skill and they have certainly gained a sound reputation wherever they have played. Notable in a strong side were Bolsover, the captain, and Snowden who never stopped trying at any point in a match, Byrne at wing forward who often gained many yards with very spirited running and Wall who "churned" a path through the opposition, particularly from short penalties. In a good threequarter line Henderson, at centre, stood out both for his attacking running and a sound defence while Chambers, after being moved from wing threequarter to plug a weakness at scrum half, showed good form and was a most valuable asset to the side.

D. J. H.