Rugby Reports 12
(1967-68)

It is very difficult to evaluate a season in which 22 games were lost. However, there are some worthwhile lessons to be learned.

In fairness to the players it must be said that the 1st XV was never as poor as the record suggests. Many school teams of comparable strength but with a less ambitious fixture list would have won about half their season's matches The chief weaknesses of the side, I felt, were lack of experience and lack of confidence. Further, when certain key players were injured we had no adequate replacements and this led to disruptive positional changes.

In several of its matches the team was undoubtedly the better footballing side, playing attractive, positive rugby, but only to lose the game in the latter stages through inexperience and a failure of the will to win. This happened against Maidenhead G.S., Thames Valley G.S. and Hayes GS.

I think the Old Boys' game deserves a special mention, for here the school team displayed an understanding of the basic principles of the game beyond that of their older opponents. The School forwards produced only "good ball" for their backs while ensuring that the opposition was denied this advantage. Despite an excellent performance by the School side, however, the result was a win for the Old Boys.

Thirteen members of next year's team will have had a season's experience of 1st XV rugby and, if they can develop the essential determination to win, they should prove most formidable opposition for any school. Young players such as J. Checkley, S. Dennis, T. Roscoe, J. Cannon, M. Hughes, I Frazer-Barnes, D. Phillips and W. Sawyer lacked experience but showed tremendous promise and because of this much will be expected of them in 1968-69. Returning to school for his third season in the 1st XV will be C. Downing, who was one of the two most outstanding players of last year. The other was P. O'Connell. J. Miller, T. Parsons and J. Mist are three of the more experienced players who will be available in 1968-69.

I should like to congratulate D. Horne, the 1st XV Captain, on his success as a Middlesex Schools player and also on his captaincy of the School side. Also we wish him success in senior rugby. It is the objective of many schoolboy rugby players to go on to good class senior rugby and to enjoy it. Colours were awarded to C. Downing and D. Horne

D.G. BRIGHT

The poor record of the 2nd XV was a reflection of the weakness of Senior Rugby as a whole in 1967-8. In addition to the dearth of talent, there was also a lack of numbers to choose from, This meant that instead of having to fight for places, some boys had to be begged to play - a most unhealthy foundation on which to run a side.

Despite these drawbacks, and despite losing some games very heavily, the 2nd XV never became the rabble they might have done and credit for this is largely due to the Captain, C. Howard, who was always on inspiration to the side at scrum-half, often in very depressing circumstances.

P. J. CAHILL

The Under 16 rugby team had, on the whole, a disappointing season, winning only three matches, drawing four and losing seven. The reason for this lack of success lay mainly in the shortage of rugby players at the top of the school, which meant that any promising Under 16 player was promoted to fill the gap In the 1st XV.

Although the first win did not come until mid-November, the team spirit was excellent throughout and the boys played enthusiastically and determinedly in each match, and were unlucky not to notch up at least three more wins.

The Captain for the major part of the season was W. Sawyer, who was succeeded by J. Cannon after the former's promotion to the 1st XV. Both carried out their tasks admirably.

A. M. HUGHES

The success enjoyed this season was essentially the result of team effort and owed much to the enthusiasm of the Captain, Warby, and Vice-Captain, Dimmock. Rarely content with anything but his best, each member of the team. worked hard, both in training and during matches, with deserved results.

The forwards improved steadily and the play of the back row - Dimmock, Hill and Hughes - was of a consistently high standard. McCarthy and Warby, the two half-backs, played intelligent attacking rugby and were well-supported in attack by the rest of the backs. Perhaps the main failing was in defence where, on occasions, the tackling was not very sound.

The season suitably ended with a successful tour of the North, where the hospitality received was greatly appreciated and the rugby thoroughly enjoyed. 

J. F. SAMWAYS

After a very poor season last year, the Junior XV were largely reorganised during the first few weeks of term and quickly settled down into a competent side which won eleven of its nineteen games. The best of these was a convincing victory over Tiffin in the mud at Northwood but perhaps the most satisfactory performance of all was in defeat-very narrowly at the hands of a very strong Hampton team.

There is a distinct lack of flair amongst the members of the team, although an exception must be made of Martin, who was converted from prop to open side and whose opportunism with the loose ball was responsible for several cries, and of Unsworth, whose coolness under pressure at full-back was a source of great confidence to the rest of the team. The team owed its success to solid scrummaging - Olcot being outstanding in this respect which usually supplied the backs with ample good ball. Here, Peters' rapidly-improving service at scrum-half was of great value. Most of the thrust came from the centre where Crombie ran clusively and Barker ran straight, both with great determination. The latter two, together with Parsons (wing) and Kingston (No. 8) tackled with increasing confidence and effect so that by the end of the season the loyal band of parent-supporters to say nothing of the team's coach - could watch most games without being drained of nervous energy, which was a vast improvement on a game in October when the team beat Harrow County 18-17 after an hour's Touch-rugby.

Colours were awarded to T. Barker, D. Crombie, J. Jolly, D. Kingston, S. Martin, C. Olcot, G. Peters and M. Unsworth.

P. J. CAHILL

The Minor XV enjoyed a successful season and at times played excellent rugby. The main strength lay in the big, mobile pack which scored 37 of the 48 tries. The rucking and set scrummaging improved steadily, but the line-out play remained inconclusive all season, Martins, Papworth and Harding formed a solid front row and were also lively in the loose. The back row was outstanding, with Szelewski's opportunism and Veal's strong running in attack matched by some fine cover- tackling in defence by Hughes. Szelewski, too, was a very reliable place kicker, scoring 74 points.

Behind the scrum opportunities were often lost through poor passing, but Parfitt, a quietly efficient captain, and Harris at half-back, played with intelligence, while Plowman and Hale both showed determination in attack.

It was a pleasure to work with this enthusiastic and thoughtful team who have the ability to achieve a high standard of rugby in future years. 

E. A. COX