Rugby Reports 11
(1965-66)

SCHOOL SPORT

At the end of the Rugby season which he reviews below, Mr. Alwyn Williams left the School to take up the post of Head of the P.E. and Games Department at Hertford G.S. He had been in charge of the 1st XV since coming to the School in 1962 and no rugby player who has been through his hands will need to be told of his tremendous contribution towards the game at St. Nicholas. Mr. Williams has a rare gift for communicating his own enthusiasm for the game to those in his charge and for getting the very best from them: and the many anecdotes which still abound about "Killer", both in the Staffroom and the School, are evidence that St. Nicholas has lost one of its "characters" as well as a first-class school- master and a loyal friend and colleague.

This was one of the best teams produced by the School. Their record of 16 wins and 6 losses is good by any standards, and certainly reflects the considerable ability of the team.

The forwards were always able to provide plenty of good ball for the backs from all types of play. Again, the backs were capable of making good use of this. There were, of course, setbacks, notably the two losses against Hampton and the disastrous defeat by Reigate in our first-ever fixture with them.

On the other hand there were some memorable wins: the superb display of attacking football against Wallington; the back row engineering four tries for Horn against Hayes: and the win over High Wycombe with only thirteen fit men In the second half.

Jones was an excellent captain in all respects and I feel that the team owes much to his considerable efforts on and off the field. Again, he was ably backed by Burrells (Vice-Capt.), who was, yet again, the leading try scorer.

Westray turned in some superb performances at full-back, showing tremendous flair. Wooding again showed his attacking ability to the full. Lucas was an excellent scrum-half, providing a reliable service and linking well with Cassidy.

In the pack, Parish was always to the fore: Lowe, Kelland and Noble all played very well throughout the season. The back row was a considerable force, Mitchell, Nash and Horn always being a source of danger to the opposition.

It gave me much pleasure working with this team: they trained hard and played with determination, always giving of their best. My thanks to them for the season which was so enjoyable and successful.

School Colours were awarded to: G. Curd, G. Horn, J. Kelland, D. Lockwood, J. Lowe, J. Lucas, B. Mitchell and A. Westray.

SEVEN-A-SIDE COMPETITIONS

Burrells (Captain), Curd, Cassidy, Smith, Westray, Wooding, Mitchell and Parish.

The above players provided a fitting climax to an excellent season by winning both the Kent Sevens Tournament and the 'B' section of the Oxford Tournament. At Tonbridge, we knew that we had a good team but one which was untried in competition. From the outset, however, the team played superb Sevens and, in fact, were never really troubled. The final against St. Joseph's Academy, Blackheath, (26-3) was really an anti-climax after the fine win by 23-0 over Dulwich College in the semi-final.

In the Oxford Tournament, Cassidy replaced the injured Smith and again the competition was won with little difficulty, the only close game being with Rhondda G.S.

We were disappointed not to make it a hat-trick in the Surrey Sevens at Easter, going down 8-3 to Whitgift in the quarter-final, but this defeat was put into proportion when Whitgift reached the final of the Roehampton Tournament the next week.

A. L. WILLIAMS

Junior Colours awarded to: J. Cannon, J. Checkley, A. Crawford, I. Frazer-Barnes, P. Goulding, D. Phillips, T. Roscoe, M. Sampson, W. Sawyer and A. Silver.