The Tauntonian-Spring1972

The following have been concerned with the production of this magazine: Mr. R. P. Wickham (Editor) Mr. I. Uglow (Art Editor) Genevieve Clarke G. P. R. Ford S. C. Gregson T. J. Gregson P. R. N. Grundy THE TAUNTONIAN

J. P. Q. Harwood

THE MAGAZINE

S. R. Mitchell

OF

P. Moat

TAUNTON SCHOOL

I. S. Partridge

SOMERSET

R. N. Peirce

SPRING 1972

N. J. Pride

VOLUME 38: NUMBER 233

S. P. Steel

15 NORTH VILLAS CAMDEN TOWN N.W.1.

Dear Sir, I'd like to raise a minor protest (sic) as well as an eyebrow at Mr. Wickham's editorial. I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the initials at the end of it. He seems indeed to have jumped on to a bandwagon himself, along with all those other crabbed and disappointed reactionaries like KingsleyAnus who were once so lively and committed in their left-wing attitudes. It seems a shame that an editorial of a school magazine should sound as if it were a rather crude pastiche of the "Black Papers" on education. And Mr. Wickham, so far as I know, has gone nowhere near All Soul's, Oxford.

Particularly—to compare Taunton School with Belfast is surely overstating the case as well as undermining it with its inherently ludicrous implications. No one is threatening to blow up that hideous clock-tower, (if only it were painted green, as Mr. Uglow once suggested); on the other hand it is perfectly proper to protest against petty and intolerable restrictions such as compulsory rugby and chapel attendance (strange how they go together) for the sixth form.

The comment about the Industrial Relations Bill was too sweeping to make sense, with no attempt to define the terms of reference of the phrase "properly constituted". I can only be thankful that Equity, the union to which I shall soon be attached, has been granted special dispensation from this somewhat impetuous attempt to legalize what is essentially a very delicate human affair.

The same kind of "closed-circuit" thinking is shown in the following paragraph. Mr. Wickham should know better than to use that notorious cliché "law and order", unless he meant it as a cliché, which I suspect he did not. The associations and reverberations surrounding that phrase are far too ominous to ignore. Whose law and whose order are the questions that come to mind? An uncomfortable set of questions in a totalitarian state, it is true; but they are valid even here.

Finally, and here was the biggest disappointment for me, to treat what an Independent School has to offer as "a product . . . which parents will want to buy for their children", is to treat education in entirely materialistic terms: the metaphor derives from a consumer society, and the implications of such a metaphor betray a commercial and elitist view, as if education were like a bottle of champagne to be bought and sold. As we all know, it takes a lot of hard work, care and devotion to produce champagne . . . as we all know! Perhaps the reason why boys today do not conform so easily after their carefully time-tabled period of adolescent truculence is that they do not like being bottled in with such smiling paternalistic devotion from hockey-stick swinging masters; perhaps because they do not want to end up as the perfect product, the right thing for the right, affluent occasion: all bubbles and no guts.

Yours faithfully GERALD CHAPMAN. TAUNTON SCHOOL Dear Gerald Chapman, I must admit that I was worried by the reaction to my last editorial. I don't mean the ceremonial burning of The Tauntonian on the Fairwater green, but the almost unanimous support it received in certain quarters. You can probably imagine where.

I believe very strongly that The Tauntonian should be as independent as possible and that it should not be purely a vehicle for Establishment views. I am sorry that my editorial was taken as any more than a personal view. It is even more disappointing to be told by my committee, "You won't get anyone replying; they're afraid to write anything controversial in case it's put down on their UCCA forms."

Thank you for your letter.

Yours sincerely, R. P. WICKHAM, Editor—Tauntonian.

The School Tuck Shop Now that the School Tuck Shop has had a further face-lift, it was felt that readers, especially those no longer at school, would like to know of its recent developments and its contribution made to the school during the last few years.

Before 1965 the Tuck Shop was in a cubby hole tucked away in the covered playground, but during the Christmas vacation of 1965/66 the latter was converted into a gymnasium with maple strip flooring to provide much better facilities for physical education. This conversion was only made possible by generous assistance from the War Memorial Centenary Fund.

The old gymnasium was then altered to provide a new Tuck Shop with greater space and with a wider variety of goods for sale. Tables and chairs were provided but this experiment failed to make customers linger longer over their soft drinks and sweets! (The latest developments will, it is hoped, persuade the boys and girls to use the Tuck Shop as a social centre.)

A few years back the somewhat controversial decision to sell school suits from the Tuck Shop was made. Despite some stern opposition and following the change of suppliers and system of tailoring, the trade in providing school suits has proved successful and so has provided funds for vital needs within the school.

In 1971, a sub-committee was formed "to look into the area known as the Tuck Shop, with a view to possible development". This committee had Mr. J. M. Collins, the Head of the Technical department, as Chairman, and the original members of the Committee were Mrs. A. J. Hodges, formerly Loveday Matron, Mrs. P. Johnson, Foxcombe Housemaster's wife and supervisor of the Tuck Shop, Major W. J. Dixon, the Catering Officer, Mr. J. T. Dewdney, a Junior Day Boy's Housemaster, and Mr. J. M. Wright, Housemaster of Loveday. The sub-Committee produced a report with specific long term and short term recommendations, but it was only possible at present to consider the latter in respect of structural alterations. The Committee suggested that there was a need "to provide more immediate civilized atmosphere and to redecorate and instal seating in keeping with the Junior Community Centre idea."

During the last Christmas vacation, a new false ceiling and revised lighting was provided and, together with new suspended lighting, the Tuck Shop was draught-proofed and the Shop, counter and adjoining store were redecorated. Following the provision of new tables in the Library, the redundant ones are in the process of being gaily re-covered for use in the Shop, and new chairs have been ordered.

The Committee hope that all this will help towards their ideal of providing an amenity acceptable to all.

Since 1965-66 the Tuck Shop has made as well as others, grants from its funds as follows: House Amenities ..

Conversion of School swimming pool to a heated system Gift for building boats Canoe mould Clark Centre amenities Memorial Hall improvements

3167.00 347.50 400.00 70.00 1 50.00 1000.00 ÂŁ5134.50

The cost of alterations and decorations to the Tuck Shop carried out during the 1971-72 Christmas vacation will be met out of Shop Funds.

L.V.C.W.

45 WESTWOOD PARK ROAD PETERBOROUGH

Dear Sir, May I first of all add my congratulations to those already expressed in the recently published magazine, regarding the refreshing updating of the format.

Secondly, however, may I respectfully point out that the splendid device which now adorns the front cover should not be referred to as a "crest", but either as a coat of arms or an achievement. The crest is but the topmost portion—the griffin's head in fact.

If my memory of the colours of the achievement is correct, the full heraldic description or "blazon" is as follows: Arms: Argent, upon a cross gules a crowned rose or, slipped vert, and on a chief azure a griffin passant, bearing in the dexter claw a cross patee fitchee of the third.

Crest: A griffin's head erased or, armed and langued gules.

The proud and ancient traditions of heraldry stand out as the pageantry of history, tipped into the mixing bowl of time. Let us retain them or, to apply to them one of heraldry's own mottoes, to heraldry "Holdfast".

Yours very truly A. J. GANE (TS 1941-43).

OXFORD 8.3.72 Dear Sir, The Hilary term draws to an end, bringing with it the haunting prospect of first-year exams for the various lawyers and linguists. Except, of course, for those linguists in New College, like Tim Haggis, who took the History Prelims in December!

Tim and John Drowley are quite often to be seen playing the guitar, and hope to perform at various folk evenings and clubs in the summer term. Meanwhile Tim, with his flowing golden-streaked locks, is probably winning in the race to be mistaken more often for a girl than John for Cliff Richard. But John does deserve some sort of consolation prize for the fact that the back seat of his car was removed through an act of theft, larceny, or misappropriation.

Andy Roberts having changed within a week or two to English, only Paul Mitchard, David Foster and Tim Rattenbury are left among the first year lawyers. The former can invariably be found dipping his unruly beard into the beer of the Turl Bar, when not actually exhibiting his prowess on the rugby field, and the latter only just, but deservedly gained a place in the University Squash 2nd V against Cambridge.

I'm just off, supposedly to play hockey, on an Occasional's tour of Kent, so it remains for me to express all of our best wishes and congratulations to that widely assumed confirmed bachelor Peter Murphy and to his vivacious wife Holly.

Yours faithfully N. J. HUNTER. P.S. Anyone who wants an enormous and endearing full colour drawing of a Giant Panda for only 30p and two packet tops should contact T. R. Haggis Esq., Treasurer, Oxford Branch, World Wildlife Fund.

Cafeteria Catering The policy decision to examine the introduction of Cafeteria Catering into the School was taken early in 1970. On his appointment as Catering Officer in April 1970, the writer was given a brief to produce plans towards this end. By the end of 1970, plans for the rebuilding and re-equipping of the kitchen, together with the method of operating had been finalized and agreed.

The go-ahead for this modernization came in March 1971, when the contract was let, so that external building work could commence during the summer term, to be followed by the internal work during the long summer recess, and all to be finished for the commencement of the Autumn term.

The external work involved extensions to the kitchen to provide a baker's shop, a butchery and a new grocery store. The internal work involved re-positioning old equipment, installing new equipment, modernizing the Dining Room and complete redecoration. It must be admitted that as the holiday drew to a close, we had doubts as to whether we would be ready for the new term. However, the final coat of paint was dry the day the boys returned.

Now Loveday Dining Room and Day Boys' Dining Room are no longer used for feeding and the whole School, with the exception of Fairwater, Foxcombe and Thone are fed centrally in the Main Dining Room. All bakery products, except bread, are made on the spot, meat is bought in carcass form and supplied to all Houses. Groceries are also purchased centrally for all Houses.

This system of Catering has greatly increased the range of dishes which can be served. As an example the menu for lunch on 22 February 1972 read as follows: Fried Fish, Steak and Kidney Pie, Roast Lamb, Salads, Potatoes, Peas, Cabbage, Green Beans, Lemon Curd Tart, Dutch Apple Tart and Assorted Cold Sweets.

The writer is bold enough to say that there has been a marked improvement in both the quality and quantity of the meals provided.

A statistical note to end on. During the first term of Cafeteria Catering, approximately 100,000 main meals were served.

W. J. Dixon

PUSH BUTTON

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School Notes

The beginning of the autumn term saw two new features which have had a profound effect on school life. The first was the introduction of cafeteria catering for School House, the Willses, Loveday and Winterstoke, and for the dayboys and girls at lunchtime. The boys continue to complain, but there can be no doubt that there has been a considerable improvement, not only in the choice offered but in the quality of the food. The second was the arrival of the Weirfield Lower Sixth, the first step towards complete integration.

The boys haven't complained!

On the academic side a group of boys has been launched on a two-year Junior Managerial Studies course in the fourth form, while in January the Art Department moved to new premises in what used to be the Winterstoke common rooms. The improved facilities have already resulted in artistic productions which are visible around the school.

At the beginning of the autumn term we welcomed Mr. M. C. JacobY as Senior Science Master and Head of the Biology Department, Mr. M. J. B. Brown as Director of Music and Mrs. E. Sinton as Sister-in-Charge of the School Hospital. We were also glad to be joined by Mrs. D. P. Willcocks and Mrs. B. J. Lisk who teach English and History respectively at Weirfield and Taunton School. During the term we received a visit from Mr. Puniah, Bursar of Punjab Public School, Nabha, India.

We congratulate Mr. Murphy and Miss Holly Nunn on their marriage and Mr. Fisher and Miss Jenny Williams on theirs. Congratulations also to Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland-Smith on the birth of a son and to Mr. and Mrs. Smith on the birth of a daughter.

At the end of the autumn term we lost Mr. J. H. Shaw who left with his wife to take up a post in Germany. He has been replaced by Mr. R. F. Osborne who joins us for the rest of the year and by Mr. C. H. Curzon on a part-time basis.

For the spring term we had with us Mr. Roland Morey, a graduate of Oxford University, completing his Certificate of Education with the Education Department of Bristol University. At the end of the spring term we said farewell to Mr. A. R. Sparshott who has gone to Peru. He will be replaced

by Dr. R. Havard, a graduate of the University of Wales.

The magazine Scratch which appeared first last summer proved that it was no flash in the pan by appearing at regular intervals throughout the winter. The editors are to be congratulated on the layout and even if the content does not appeal to everyone's sense of humour, it has an undoubted "house style". There have also been several issues of Tredd, produced mainly by boys in 4A. During the course of the autumn term there was a series of poetry recitals open to sixth formers and visitors from other schools. We were very lucky to attract six well-known writers—George MacBeth, Vernon Scannell, Peter Porter, Jim Hunter, Edward Lucie-Smith, and Alan Brownjohn—who provided a varied and very popular programme.

In the spring there was a visit from a small group from Salisbury Playhouse to perform, while parties of varying sizes and ages went to Bristol or Exeter to see the following plays: "Richard II", "Candida", "Three Sisters", "Julius Caesar", "Mirandolina" by Goldoni, "Charley's Aunt", "Volpone" and to a local production of "Waltz of the Toreadors".

We were pleased to hear of the success of Giles Henry in the National Meeting at Cosford. He came 2nd in the 1000 metres and 3rd in the 800 metres.

Congratulations to the following on their scholarships: Alun Jones—Major Scholarship in Natural Sciences at Worcester College, Oxford.

John Matthewson—Major Scholarship in Mathematics at Churchill College, Cambridge.

Bernard Glass—Exhibition in Natural Sciences at Caius College, Cambridge and to those who were awarded places—Roderick Fleming to read Biology (for Medicine) at New College, Oxford; Jonathan Benn to read Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge; Andrew Barbour to read Engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge; Tom Murphy to read History at Trinity College, Oxford; and Geoffrey Upton to read Natural Sciences at Lincoln College, Oxford.

The following have been awarded School Scholarships: Open Scholarships £300 S. J. Benton (Thone and Taunton School) £300 T. J. Kirkwood (St. Edwards, Reading) £200 W. D. J. Kirk (Taunton School) Local Scholarships R. M. A. Harvey (Thone) M. A. Hick (Thone) A. M. Simonds (North Curry Primary).

Simon Jeffreys

Born 4 March 1955 Died 14 March 1972 The tragic death of Simon Jeffreys, from injuries sustained in a car accident, at first stunned and then saddened with a deep sense of personal loss most of the School. All who knew him—and he was widely known throughout the School community, and universally liked—realized with terrible clarity what previously we had merely taken for granted: that Simon was the sort of person whom a community can ill afford to lose.

Friendly, cheerful, appealing; a very fine athlete and sportsman; kind in the strongest sense of the word; a boy who lived life to the full, but who gave so much: suddenly, and so cruelly, it seemed to us all, he was cut off—with so much promise and life before him. He will be remembered with gratitude and great affection by all who knew him; in particular, by those in Wills East who enjoyed so closely what we now see was the privilege of his friendship and company.

The School Chapel was filled for a short and moving Memorial Service on Thursday, 14th March, and the funeral service four days later, at Saltford Parish Church, Bristol, was attended by representatives from the School, including several of his close friends. The rousing hymns—two of his favourites: the Chaplain's address; the lessons, read by Simon's sister and by his best friends; the glorious spring weather: all contributed to a service where the emphasis was on the joy and selflessness that characterized Simon's life. As we mourn his death, and extend to David and June Jeffreys and to Elizabeth and Matthew our deepest sympathy, we remember Simon above all for his constructive vitality and cheerful generosity.

His friends are to plant a tree near Wills East as a living reminder of him, and the very considerable balance of a spontaneous collection is to be sent, in his memory, to Shelter, whose aims he strongly supported.

We have all lost a marvellous friend: we are challenged by the memory of him.

C.R.E.

A. R. Sparshott

Tony Sparshott came to Taunton from Stowe less than three years ago.

By some standards his stay here may have been a brief one; but by any standards he made an enormous impact on the life of the community. Wills East were the first to benefit from an engaging, encouraging, sympathetic character, whose liveliness quickly and aptly earned the name " Sparky" when he came into Winterstoke two years ago. But his influence extended far beyond his house. A curriculum vitae would record that he has made a vital contribution to School Athletics and Cross Country Running, related sports to which he brought not only high personal achievement, but a contagious enthusiasm, great dedication and a deep technical knowledge; all of which brought a swift response from the boys he taught both at the School and House level. The same could be said of his work in Spanish, where he could encourage and cajole the gifted to reach the very high standards he set them, while at the same time jollying along their less academic brothers. Both Junior Rugby, Hockey and Gymnastics similarly benefitted from his liveld ability to communicate skills and enthusiasm. Latterly the Literary any Historical Society also drew upon his kaleidoscopic interests and persuaded him to assist in the running of the society. His academic roots lie essentially in Hispanic culture, but this is only the tip of an interest which runs widely through Western literature. Many of us will remember him for his chapel services. There was no brow-beating here; only a straightforward witness of what he believes to be true. Indeed the many facets of Tony Sparshott have their common ground in a simple but deep Christian conviction which could recently ask the question, "Are you on the way or in the way ?"

To list Tony Sparshott's contributions to school life is only to cararicature the man. He will be missed by so many people for so many things that it is difficult to do justice to him in a brief "farewell".

With both boys and colleagues he was always deeply indignant towards the sloppy, the casual, and the unprofessional; and yet while he condemned the fault he would never condemn the man. To the Common Room he brought with his service an almost perpetual good humour and keen wit; words like "pige", "greens" and "muckers"; and the habit of drinking sherry by the half pint. To all he brought great generosity, not only with his time but his books, his television and his study, and there are many in Winterstoke who have reason to be particularly grateful.

As a companion and friend he brought to life an integrity of the highest order; never content to maintain a condoning silence when he disagreed, but always ready to be utterly loyal. There is nothing flashy, deliberately eye-catching or modishly liberal about Tony Sparshott. The things he achieved here as well as the manner he achieved them, were solid and will remain with all those with whom he has come into close contact.

He has gone now in the steps of Pizarro and his conquistadores to Peru and Markham College to follow his interest in Latin American culture, and there are very few who will doubt that, like his predecessors, he will succeed.

He takes with him our love, respect and gratitude.

Vaya con Deos!

R.C.Q.F.

J. H. Shaw

Howard Shaw came to the School in 1968, bringing with him an extensive knowledge of the German language, an enthusiasm for teaching and the directness of his native Yorkshire. In the three and a half years he remained with us he gave much, both as an assistant housemaster and as a dedicated teacher, but he also acquired much—a Master's degree for work on Linguistics a reputation for thoroughness, and genuineness, for a love of his subject, for a very un-schoolmasterly liberal outlook and breadth of intellectual interests, and—though we cannot claim much credit for this ourselves—a charming wife. Now he and Pat have gone to Regensburg on the Danube.

Our best wishes go with them and our hopes that their steps will lead them here again before long.

A.W.G.C.

To read the Secretaries' reports one would think that Taunton School boys— Societies and girls—did nothing in their spare time but watch films!

Literary and Historical Society—"The Angry Silence", "The Cranes are Flying", "West Side Story", "The Virgin Spring".

Scientific Society—films on motors, induction, crystals, power from fusion and North Sea Gas. Modern Languages Society—"Paris to the Loire", "Fifi la Plume" and a panorama of French history.

Archaeological Society—"Natural Curiosities" Not to mention the Senior Film Society—"The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", "L'Avventura", "Z", and "Tom Jones"—the Junior Film Society, and the usual Saturday night films.

They probably also showed films at the Natural History Society, but as no report has been received, we cannot tell.

They didn't show films at the Burke; perhaps that is why it seems almost to have ceased to exist, apart from entering teams for quizzes and Public Speaking Competitions (note the capital letters!).

The Goodland Prize was won by C. J. A. Mead, J. R. Nicholson and R. N. Swan. If it is true that boys (for 'boys' please read 'boys and girls' in future where appropriate—apologies to Women's Lib.)—if it is true that boys are willing only to sit and watch a flickering screen and not to take an active part in their evening's entertainment it is a pity, but this does not seem to be borne out by the number of boys who gave talks to their own societies: Robert Peirce on South Africa, John Edwards on the Greek Theatre, three boys on artists under pressure, Nicholas Reading on the organ—theory and practice (Taunton's answer to C. P. Snow), Christopher Churchill and Peter Moat on engines and transmission systems—with the aid of an invalid carriage and lumps of metal salvaged from a scrap heap, Steve Earl on brasses and brass rubbings and various members of the Archaeological Society on their own finds.

Various members of staff were inveigled into talking, notably Mr. Macpherson and Dr. Smith, on subjects dear to their hearts: the '45 Rising and Mervyn Peake respectively. There were also a number of interesting speakers from outside: Mr. Ken Burge of the Somerset County Gazette on Arts and the Mass Media, Dr. R. B. Bagnall on Fluorine, Mr. Corbett on the Use of a Portable Computer in Interpreting Chemical Data, Dr. Kite on the Occurrence of Colour in Nature and Chemistry, Mr. Frank Hawtin on Taunton Past and Present and Mr. Coleman-Smith on Excavations in Medieval Southampton.

The autumn term saw the inauguration of a new society, the Elton Historical Society, which has been addressed by Professor G. R. Elton and other eminent speakers.

There were also play-readings of "Unman, Wittering and Zigo" and a Labiche comedy; a symposium of readings on the theme of death, archaeological expeditions, quizzes and a French dinner cooked by girls in the lower sixth (for 'girls' read `girls'). Canoes were built, photographs were taken and developed—some even reached the Tauntonian; the Beacon Beagles enjoyed our support—particularly that of Mark Ritchie and Antony Berry who regularly whipped in, while Mr. Williams hunted hounds for a while when the Master (nothing to do with Dr. Who) was suffering from concussion—and the Young Farmers young-farmed. Charles Leaman, Anthony Rankin and Peter Bartleet have attained grade seven in Aikido under the capable guidance of Mr. Yorke, 4th Dan Black Belt and Masterat-Arms.

The Bridge Team failed to attain the heights of last year, but a very young team, consisting of Peter Barnard, Russell Blenkinsop, Michael Leach and David Moon did well to come half way up their heat in the Schools Championships.

The Chess Club was much more active than in recent years, mainly because of an enthusiastic group of juniors who challenged and comprehensively beat the Staff. They also challenged the seniors but so far the challenge has not been accepted. Richard Swan carried the senior team much of the time, with help from the juniors, including David Hick who went through the winter unbeaten until he lost to Keith Conlon in the final of the junior-house championship.

The list of Society activities given above is by no means complete, but it gives an idea of the varied programme offered during the winter with something for all, cabbages and kings!

The Junior Entertainment

We were promised one hour; we were given two—and we enjoyed every minute. There had been some uncertainty whether the occasion was best billed as "Concert" or "Entertainment", but the latter term was certainly appropriate for suggesting the variety of informally presented talent and humour with which we were regaled. A Junior Entertainment must now be regarded as a firmly established annual event.

Certain features were especially successful. Form 1A, repeating their winning entry from the Drama Festival, presented with confident nautical accents (and some accomplished snoring) the dire events at sea from "The Play of The Royal Astrologers". 4A, also reviving a Festival triumph, acted with great efficiency the crisp and lively melodrama "King Fisher", written

by Mark Hammond and Andrew Peirce. (Some of the cast may be recognised occasionally in the cafeteria queue by their bandy legs and drawl.) 3C, darkly sinister by candlelight, recreated James Greenshields' ghost story, and Graham Fox and Paul Finnis amused us with the inevitable, corny nonsense of their "Grampian Interview". Paul, indeed, appears to have strong potential as an unruffled "straight man".

One will remember particularly Andrew Patterson's very sensitive playing of a Beethoven sonata, some delicately clear singing of "Owls" by the trebles of the Choir, and from the same group a lively syncopation of "The Daniel Jazz" which showed their versatility. Eric Stephanian's accordion playing was a highlight. Cropper's piano-shifting was greatly enjoyed and became, as he smiled his way effortfully through it, a feature of the continuity to which we found ourselves looking forward.

Especial mention must be made of 2B's work in French with Mr. Sparshott's play, "La Femme Muette". The accents may not have been entirely convincing, but there was great attack and clarity in the undertaking, and the cast must be congratulated on the way in which they kept their heads and their lines amid the light twists of the story.

What else? Graham Fox trumpeted, a quartet sang Purcell, and several pianists offered a deft variety of styles. Anthony Forrester Bennett here showed himself to be a most promising performer. We heard evocative music from William Dommett on the accordion, Paul Hone and Nicholas Davey on the guitar, and Christopher Kelly on the flute. And then there was the Finale.

There is a play by lonesco in which furniture removal men steadily fill the stage with a new tenant's belongings, to a point where there is no room left on stage for the actors. One's thoughts turned to this as the "massed bands" assembled for the Finale. Such a gathering of drums and cymbals and flutes and kazoos. And guitars! Were there thirty of them? The assembling of this army of talent was entertaining in itself, the rendering of the "Longest Day" theme vigorous and popular, the control of Tim Nash's baton remarkable, and the applause at the close of the performance sufficient witness to our pleasure at the combined achievement of Mr. Macpherson and his energetic cast.

J.A.C.

Double Bill

This was an evening for those who like their humour to be cool and slightly off-beat. In this respect the sixth form Revue provided an excellent foil for the short Stoppard comedy.

To take the Revue first, the whole cast must be given full marks for the sheer enthusiasm and versatility of their performances. They had obviously put a great deal of work into the show, and succeeded in providing us with an entertainment which, though it often had a cutting edge to it, never became gratuitously offensive. Sketches that I particularly enjoyed were the boottying one, with some neat side-swipes at our over-protected Royal Family and a good imitation of Cliff Morgan, the Horlicks sketch, which made a simple point amusingly and concisely, and the Silly Talk sketch—full marks for an original idea. The Old Boys were perhaps too much caricatures, though some serious points were made as well. The show would have benefited from some pruning in the longer sketches, e.g. the Piano one, where the dialogue failed to sustain the original idea all the way through; and I personally would have liked to have seen more topical sketches than there were, whether with reference to Taunton School or to the world outside. There was, for instance, a good though brief take-off of Eddie Waring. Could not more have been done along these lines? But none the less this was an enjoyable prelude to the evening, especially for Monty Python addicts like myself.

The Stoppard play, although on a smaller scale than his better-known "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead", has the same delightfully absurd humour and inconsequential dialogue which was the hallmark of the earlier work. I wondered when reading it through what a school cast would make of the subtleties of its quick-fire all-action script which leaves little room for mistakes in either movement or dialogue. In the event my initial doubts were soon dispelled by the excellently sustained acting or a well-chosen cast.

A great deal of the credit must go to John Carrington for his hard work and fine control as producer. One measure of his success could be seen in the way in which the cast were so obviously enjoying themselves. Their lighthearted playing of the crime plot was clearly just what Stoppard himself would have wanted.

One of the most difficult parts of the play for the actor is undoubtedly the background dialogue between the two critics in the first 2 acts. This dialogue, with its clever pastiche of critical clichĂŠs, needs to come over clearly and perhaps in an exaggerated way for an audience to catch all its absurdities.

In David Brewer and Julian Wright-Williams we had a well contrasted pair of critics who made a good attempt at this. David Brewer, in particular, spoke his lines well, and as the plot developed and his transfer to the stage took place he grew almost visibly in confidence and jaunty self-importance.

Nicholas Pride, in his role as the elegant though enigmatic young man Simon, was suitably smooth and self-assured, while Henry Keeling brought an excellently menacing tone to his role as Magnus. I enjoyed his final dialogue with Diana Tippett, and his manoeuvring of the wheel-chair was a tour de force in itself. Stephen Mitchell showed commendable determination, or perhaps one should say doggedness, as Inspector Hound. He might have given the part an air of greater authority, but it was nevertheless a useful performance.

Of the girls, Leonie Anderson as Mrs. Drudge did full justice to the comic possibilities of the role and also managed to inject a mood of impending doom when it was needed. Alison Page was effectively jealous as Felicity and contrasted well with the sophisticated Cynthia of Diana Tippett. This latter was a most mature and confident performance. Her timing and diction were both very good, and she succeeded in exactly catching the Twenties style of the production.

Who was the real Inspector Hound? The question to me is irrelevant.

Stoppard is treating us to a cleverly constructed parody of the detective play.

To take it seriously is to miss the point. And, if I might end on a prophetic note, the play this December, besides being most enjoyable in its own right, seemed to me to augur well for our eventual integration with Weirfield.

Such a development can only enrich the artistic life of the school.

R.V.E.

Music

At the beginning of this year we welcomed Mr. Michael Brown as Director of Music, He comes to us from Barnard Castle School, County Durham.

He is a counter-tenor and sang as a Choral Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and also, whilst there, became a regular member of the well-known Clerkes of Oxenford Vocal ensemble. We wish Mr Brown and his wife a happy stay in Taunton.

R.W.S. The position of a chapel choir in a predominantly unreligious atmosphere is a difficult one, and I was conscious, when I arrived, of a feeling that membership of the choir entailed sympathy with the religious ideas of the school. For this reason perhaps, numbers were fairly low at the beginning of the year. Thanks, however, to apostolic effort on the part of some members, and perhaps also to a less moribund attitude to singing generally, the size of the choir is swelling, and I hope the trend will continue. In addition to this, we have lured some members of Weirfield into our ranks, and their help has been invaluable, vocally and decoratively.

These last two terms have been quite busy for the choirs. In the Christmas term we took part in the Taunton Festival which has been described elsewhere, and then, in the month before Christmas, in a combined Somerset Choirs Festival at Wells, a musical entertainment at Tone Vale, and our two carol services. All this in addition to our normal chapel work. In the spring term we performed more often in chapel but also at three secular concerts. At the Junior Entertainment the trebles sang part of "Daniel Jazz" and another song, at the Boys' Concert the Scholars sang two folk-songs, and at one of the Sunday evening concerts the Scholars provided the chorus for a performance of "H.M.S. Pinafore". As the final performance of the term the full choir sang part of the Messiah as a comment on Christ's Passion.

This year has also seen the rebirth of the School Orchestra. Although we can by no means produce a full complement of players, certainly the brass section is virtually complete, and making a very good sound. The clarinets are many, and so are the flutes, but oboe and bassoon are in need of support.

The strings have been working very hard, and with the help of some girls from Bishop Fox's School are now beginning to sound very good. We have performed at two concerts, the second being more ambitious than the first but by no means less successful; the audience even demanded an encore of the Grand March from "Aida". This start can only be maintained if we get a constant supply of young instrumentalists who can come into the orchestra in due course.

The Sunday evening concerts seem to have been enjoyed by those who came to them. This number is, however, pitiably small amongst the senior part of the School. We started with a small choir from Exeter who gave a fairly high-brow concert on the whole, but managed to brighten it by some humour, both verbal and musical. A flamenco guitarist followed. Michael Trory, and he gave us a good insight into the intricacy of the art, capturing a lot of the flair and excitement of this Spanish dance. Another vocal concert followed, of a very different nature, given by the Stringalongs—five men who specialise in after-dinner entertainment. They were extremely good and most amusing, ranging from madrigal to pop song and back again. Janet Bazley and Nicholas Reading gave us a delightful evening of piano duets, playing Mozart, Brahms and Milhaud (the latter a very lively Brazilianflavoured suite). Quintin Blackley and other members of the Taunton Amateur Operatic Society gave us a version of "H.M.S. Pinafore" with the Scholars providing a bevy of sisters, cousins, aunts and sailors. Perhaps we could do something along these lines ourselves next time? The term ended with a boys' concert and some memorable items, especially the brass ensemble playing "Wachet Auf", Richard Swan improvising on the guitar, Peter Green lulling us with Chopin Nocturnes, and Henry Keeling declaiming lustily about money. I am most grateful to all those who have spent so much time and energy ensuring that music is heard in the School.

M.J.B.B.

The Taunton Music Festival took place in the seek following the Drama Festival, and again school performers were well represented, both in individual classes and in group events. A great deal of effort went into the preparation of work, and many boys were awarded certificates of merit for marks of over 80 out of a possible 100. Pianists were our most numerous body, and did very well at all levels. Peter Green and Paul Vernon won the duet-playing cup for a fine performance, just beating Nicholas Reading and Mrs Bazley in their overall marks. Genevieve Clarke won the senior sightreading class, and David Willcocks, with an outstanding performance of a Schubert Impromptu, won the Open Romantic Class with 87 marks, against very strong competition. Andrew Patterson, although he did not win his class, was praised for his excellent style and was awarded 81 marks. All the pianists are to be congratulated on their attitude to the competition. In other sections we were not quite so well represented, but I hope next year will see quite a change. Andrew Roe, playing the violin, won his class well, with 84 marks, and Michael Ostime, playing a very attractive Rondo by Bernstein, gave a superb performance, earning him 85 points. Our other contribution was a vocal one, the trebles of the Choir singing two pieces: one a humorous song, The Owls, and the other a two-part dance by Purcell. Their performance was very spirited, and in places extremely good, being marred at times by faulty intonation. They were awarded 82 marks, just losing to Huish's. The Scholars gave an extremely good performance of Vaughan Williams' anthem "Let all the world in every corner sing", beating St. Audrey's by one mark.

This was sweet revenge for last year's narrow defeat, and rounded off a week during which many people took part and gave of their best. May next year be even better.

M.J.B.B.

1971 Taunton and Somerset Speech and Drama Festival

Bible Reading, under 14: P. Watson, 3rd.

Sight Reading, under 13: B. Tibenham, 1st; M. Price, 3rd.

Duologue Improvisation, under 14: W. J. Dommett and N. J. St. J. Tissot, 2nd.

Original Poem, 11 and under: N. Prettejohn, 1st; H. Thomas, 2nd.

Group Acting, 11 and under: Groups from Form 1A were 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Original Play Script, 14 and under: Form 4A, 1st; Form 3A, 2nd; Form 2C, 3rd; Form 1B, 4th and 5th.

Original Play Script, 18 and under: I. S. Partridge's group, lst.

Spoken English, under 14: C. Vienravi, 1st.

Spoken English, under 18: J. Harrison, 1st.

Group Acting, 14 and under: Form 4C, 3rd.

Original Poem, 14 and under: G. Williams, 2nd; M. Price, 3rd.

Original Prose, 14 and under: I. Campbell, 1st; S. Fox, 3rd.

Duologue Improvisation, 18 and under: I. S. Partridge and T. M. Fleming, 1st.

Form 1A were awarded the Berger Cup for the best group performance for 11 years and under.

Scout Troop

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

The Troop is at present negotiating for the next Summer Camp—probably near Dolgellau—to follow last summer's most successful Lake District Camp. The twelve days of really fine weather we were blessed with then seem to have been our share for the year, for our Field Day this term had to be abandoned early in conditions of wet blizzard. To complete our discomfort the Scout Bedford van "blew up" in the "rescue" operations, and is currently having a transfusion of new engine and other "innards".

We are pleased with our latest recruits, most of whom have proved keen and are making good progress. In store for them next term we have the three-day Troop camp in Devon, at least one other camp, weekend hikes and camps, and of course river activities and canoeing for those interested.

By collaboration with the School Canoeing Option we now have available a large fleet of modern fibre-glass canoes.

A big effort has been made at teaching navigation and map-and-compass work and we hope never again to have patrols upsetting Field Day arrangements by inability to follow instructions across country reliably, as happened on the Quantocks in the autumn term. Other training has included fires, primus stoves and a two-hour, three-gallon-mix pancake session; following inspection of the small hike tents we expect to be able to send off small groups on overnight camps locally.

Summer Camp—in the twelve days after Commemoration—will of course provide the real test of this training, and we are all looking forward to seeing as many Scouts there as possible.

J.H.F.

The Scheme is still with us, with 27 members progressing quietly on training of various kinds while the tempests rage without. Mr. Almond, of the Exmoor Assessment Panel, opened our eyes to several "do's" and "don'ts" in a most entertaining and instructive lecture about his role as assessor—perhaps a role which an academically-minded organisation finds difficult to appreciate at times.

Mr. Williams also increased our awareness of the world around us by a vivid talk on what we purblind townsters, complete with transistor radios, either do not see or scare away on our visits to the hills: this, too made a great and lasting impression.

First Aid courses have continued as ever, with both Junior and Adult certificates gained with the help of Dr. Penny and Mr Berry of the Somerset Ambulance Service. Towards the end of term a foretaste of the wider activities possible with the aid of our new Transit Minibus was obtained with one or two Friday afternoon excursions, notably a very successful mapreading exercise on Dunkery between lunch and tea, while Mr. Wrench and his merry men covered most of Exmoor one Sunday on a pipe-opener for Ten Tors.

The rest of the two terms' activities follow a reasonably institutionalized pattern by now, even down to the atrocious weather for the March Field Day—a textbook example of when to leave Dartmoor to its own devices.

A dozen bronzemen completed their police course, thanks to Inspector Parkin and other officers of the Somerset and Bath Constabulary, and a similar number at bronze and silver received their awards from Commander Cobb, Assistant Director of the Scheme at a presentation in the Municipal Hall in November. All in all, it sounds very much like the mixture as before, but our horizons seem to get a little wider each year and we hope that our standards rise a little too.

R.N.G.

A Good Day

On 26th January 4J visited Chesil Bank and Lulworth Cove on a Geography expedition. Afterwards they wrote about their experiences. Extracts from these accounts follow.

I left home for the outing in rather a depressed mood, not surprising considering I had heard the weather forecast. But it turned out that the weather was going to be the most exciting part of the whole trip. . . .We started the trip well. It was like a circus packing up and moving on. David Clarke had a kit bag full of apples and fishing nets. . . . It was pouring with rain and cold. . . . We went past Simon Scotting's house, on the outskirts of Ilminster, and on to Abbotsbury. . . . We arrived soon after eating lunch on the coach. As soon as you stepped off the coach the sea air filled your lungs. . . . We walked through the deserted village down to a muddy track which led to Chesil Beach. We made our way through sodden undergrowth and dripping brambles which seemed to snatch your clothes and keep holding on. Next we came across a track with mud one foot thick in places which sucked your boots. . . . It was wet, dull, and windy. . . . We were led into a tunnel of bushes, which kept the wind out even though we were standing up.

At the end you had to crawl on your hands and knees to get out and go straight into the cold wind. As soon as you stood up you got blown off balance. We had to keep jumping and hopping so as to miss puddles. Robert Nash found a way out of it—he got over a fence and walked along in a field.

I wish I had followed. . . . In the distance we could hear the sound of pebbles being pushed about, and at last we came across sodden pasture land with reeds growing, and there in front of us was Chesil Bank, a mass of shingle.

We could still not see the sea. The horizon was still a mass of pebbles. Every step was pulled halfway back by rolling pebbles. . . . I ran up the embankment to see in front of me a view of sea going out until it reached the sky.

You had to look rather well to notice where this point was as the sky was covered in grey-black clouds. It was pouring with rain but I hardly noticed this because of the wind. We then answered a few of the questions on our sheets. . . . I was almost blinded by the sudden gush of wind and spray. . . . the beauty of the sea. Enormous waves with tremendous strength. . . .

Hannaford threw stones at Adebiyi. . . . We went down closer to the sea to study the longshore drift. . . . Then all the party gathered up to hear Mr. Farmer talking about the beach. . . . We were standing about three yards away from where the white froth was hitting the pebbles when suddenly an extra strong wave hit us . . . the seventh wave struck . . . the next thing I knew my shoes and the flair of my trousers were completely wet. . . . I had to get my boot off to rinse my sock. This was a problem; trying to balance on one foot with a beach made of gravel against the prevailing wind and rain was not easy. I began to laugh because I knew what was going to happen, I was going to fall flat on the beach, and I did. . . . I had a go at speaking into the tape recorder describing what I could see. A few minutes later when we played it back we were lucky if we could hear a complete word, because of the wind that was howling round our ears. . . . Back through the mud again we went, to the coach. I was one of the last, trying to avoid the mud on the way back. As soon as all were back, we left for Lulworth Cove. . . . The rain had stopped but the wind was getting stronger. . . I looked at the view in front of me. Had it not been for a gap across the other side of the bay we would have been completely enclosed by rock. However the sea had eroded away the cliff and the cove had been formed. Over by the gap I could see the waves pounding the edge of the arms of the cove, but then a few yards further in the water became much calmer. It was as if a line separated the calm cove from the lashing waves.. . . To the left of the cove is Stair Hole which is a perfect example of how Lulworth was formed. The huge folding limestone rocks get pounded by the sea and only four small openings have been made. Soon the limestone will tumble and the Wealden clay behind it will be defenceless against the sea. This way Stair Hole will soon become another cove. As we watched this wonderful sight from the cliff behind it we slipped about on the muddy clay. This to me was the highlight of the whole

trip.. . . After a bit of watching the sea I saw how the waves really worked.

I cannot explain it but if you kneel down in front of some waves and concentrate on one point all the time you get a fantastic feeling of freedom.

Then after a while I wanted to defy every movement of the waves so I picked up handfuls of pebbles and flung them into the oncoming waves. . . . I loved the feel of the wind whistling in my ears and blowing my hair back . . . I honestly felt that if I'd jumped up in the air I could have flown. It was a lovely feeling to be able to lean into it without falling over. . . . The waves smashed against the rocks at the cove's mouth making clouds of white spray.

Surrounded by cliffs on your right and left, you became overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the place. . . . The feeling of the wind and rain on your face and hands felt so incredible it is indescribable. . . . On arrival at the bus we entered in the style of Captain Oates, with cold hands and frost-bitten feet. . .. On the way back Simon Scotting was lucky enough to be dropped off outside his gate as we passed through Ilminster. After returning to school the first thing I had was tea and then a hot bath. That's what I needed! . . .

Despite the rain, wind, worn-out limbs, soaking clothes, muddy boots, wet field notes and bad recordings, we had a good day.

Challenge of Industry Conference

In February the Industrial Society took over the whole sixth form for two days for one of its Challenge of Industry Conferences. A team of 18 industrialists guided our 150 sixth-formers through a series of films, discussions and role-playing exercises, with the aims of giving them "the opportunity to develop an understanding of the problems of managing people" and of demonstrating that "there is a vital need in industry for people not solely concerned with self-interest and profit". Most of our students found it quite stimulating to have to decide who or what had caused each incident in the films, and began to realise that before very long they would themselves be in a position to cause, prevent or solve such expensive problems. That they have much to learn before this time was shown in the two main talks, given

by Mr. G. Osborne, of Clarks Limited (Street), who explained some of the problems and principles of effective management, and by Mr. K. Neate, District Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union. Mr Neate especially found our sheltered sixth formers very misinformed about Trade Unions and the Industrial Relations Act. Some of the heated misunderstanding he had to dispel was generated by the Miners' strike, which coincided very nicely with our conference and gave it a topical interest.

The wide range of questions prepared for the final panel session showed that it had been a most fruitful two days, of value to all members of the school, who, whether they are to be industrialists or not, will all live in an industrial society.

J.L.R.W.

Careers

The Careers Room in the Clark Centre has now been in use for two years.

It serves both as a library and an interview room, and is well patronized by members of nearly all forms in the school. Most of the senior pupils seem very sensibly aware of the need to prepare thorough plans for their future, and the resources of the library have proved equal to most of their queries and problems so far.

But there are many important questions about starting work which cannot be referred to a library, or be solved in a personal interview. To some extent the amount that the Careers Room is used reflects not the success of the room, but the need for information which it cannot supply. Therefore the present system of personal advice is to be supplemented by a programme of Careers education.

At present the main means of providing the necessary first-hand knowledge of a job is the wide range of short Works Experience courses which the P.S.A.B. offers. This Easter nineteen boys are taking up this opportunity to see things for themselves at a wide variety of firms and offices. I should like to see this number increased, if necessary by parental pressure: very often the boys who most need this experience are the ones who are too busy with their social life to want to "waste" four days of their holidays. None of our conscripts so far has found serious cause for complaint afterwards!

Besides these courses we have occasional lectures. These will continue, and will be supplemented by a series of ten lessons for all members of lower sixth in the reorganized general studies syllabus. I should also like to increase the visits from liaison officers or practising members of the professions, to give personal advice to those who are interested. Perhaps parents and Old Boys could help here.

The Old Boys Association has on various occasions offered its assistance in drawing up lists of Old Boys who would be willing to help as Careers Consultants. But it has not been easy to make full use of such a list. A more practical scheme would be to hold a Careers Fair at the school, on the morning of a suitable occasion when the Old Boys are assembled in some numbers, probably the morning of the rugby match in September. To be a success, the Fair would have to cover a wide range of topics. People who are undergoing their training would be just as relevant to our sixth formers as those who are more experienced; those with personal knowledge of current life at a University or Polytechnic would be of especial value.

Would all those willing to assist with such a venture next October please drop me a line. Other schools have found it a most worthwhile exercise, and one which reunites a wider variety of recent Old Boys than a merely sporting reunion. I am sure that it would help in a very real way to provide a more complete Careers programme at the school.

J.L.R.W.

School House The coming of the new year has given School House a new face; it has lost its social gaps which were present before amongst part of the members, and is now generally a more friendly place to live.

As regards to Sport we did not obtain any outstanding results, but proved no easy obstacle in both rugby and hockey. The Cross-country team ran well and managed to hold third position, despite Roy's persistence in tripping over gates and trying to drown in the mud!

The house has a fairly strong basketball team and hope to do well in the competition which extends into next term.

There has also been some acting talent in the house, both Harry Keeling and David Brewer took major parts in the school play and whilst in the sphere of acting, for the first time since at least six years it was decided that the house should have a social, and despite Brougham's attachment to Women's Lib, it was a great success.

The prefects who have cornered me into writing this yearly review have asked me not to forget them! I find it difficult to say anything which will go unoffended and conclude by saying that we try to follow in the "footsteps" of our Head of House and School, Paul Brougham—which part of the time proves most adventurous.

I am glad to say that Mr. Murphy has finally been tied down, for he was married during the Christmas holidays

to Miss Holly Nunn. But this did have its advantages for the prefects, who are now able to enjoy a greater variety of food on Saturday evenings. However, I am sure that if he changed days there would be a full house every week! Leaving him with this devastating idea, I should like to wish on behalf of the House, all the best and happiness in the future to Mr. Murphy and his wife.

Wills East It is ironical that the tragedy of Simon Jeffreys' death should happen in such a happy and close House, of which he was such a great part. It would not be untrue to say that we waited tenderly on every heart beat, and it is due to the sympathetic leadership of our house master, Mr. Evans, that the blow for all concerned came gently.

We seem to be achieving in this House an atmosphere which was possibly unknown in the School before—a family sense of unity and security, which we hope will prevail throughout the School. This has been helped by removing much of the fagging (although it is not known by this name) that still exists in other areas of the school, and the improving facilities of the house have made the place more habitable.

The return in January of an old friend and Assistant House Master Mr. Fisher, was welcomed with great joy. The noise of the record player that Mr. Fisher built for the House at the cost of much of his spare time, is proof of our gratitude It was sad to see Bernie Glass—whom we congratulate most warmly on his Exhibition at Cambridge—and Dick Reece leave, after their various efforts in and out of the House.

It is a sign that the old-school Wills East is rapidly dying out, and after the summer the upper-sixth form, that have the same effect as prickly heat in staff room will also leave. Still, it has been said that we would make good old boys!

We also won the rugby cup, again.

Wills West As far as sport is concerned the past two terms have not been remarkably successful. We were knocked out of the rugby and hockey competitions by Foxcombe after doing quite well in earlier rounds. In the Junior Cross-country Michael Parker Pearson finished first but was later placed second because his main rival had been directed the wrong way! At the moment the Basketball team is doing particularly well, but still have some games to play next term.

An innovation on the sporting scene this term was the interhouse relay competition. For some unknown reason there was no shortage of volunteers to run, in stark contrast to the cross-country, where gentle coercion is usually the order of the day. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to enter two of our six teams, and they finished moderate eighth and twelfth. There are some serious sportsmen in the House, though, and of these two in particular are to be congratulated: Geoffrey Boyce, on playing hockey for the Western Counties Under 19's, and Kevin Maskell on playing rugby for Cornwall Under 19's.

The House's literary output has been quite phenomenal.

The co-editors of "Harold Scratch", Robert Peirce and Timothy Gregson, reside in Middle Study and they have produced four issues so far, each one an improvement on its predecessor. The writing and typing of the magazine takes place at all hours of the day and night (sometimes to

the annoyance of the writer of these notes, who sleeps the other side of their study wall!).

At the end of last term Scratch Productions put on a revue at the same time as the School play and it was generally very well received. The other area of literary production concerns "Tredd", the second unofficial School magazine. This is mainly written and edited by younger members of the House and looks like establishing itself along with "Harold Scratch".

In general, activities such as the writing of "Tredd" have found much support from the younger end of the House. The latest craze has been the playing of guitars, of which there are now about a dozen around the place. Nobody has become

really proficient yet, though unfortunately some are still at the discordant twanging stage.

Their various talents were put to good use, however, in the Junior Concert where Tich Nash valiantly conducted a socalled orchestra in the finale.

In the same concert Eric Stephanian played two very promising solos on the accordian and Edward Quist-Arcton and William Nicholson took part in a short play which won an award at the local arts festival. The latter was very realistic as a skinhead with an I.Q. of about 70!

At the beginning of the year, Bottom Dormitory was completely redecorated ; the new curtains and colour scheme make the place look much more civilized, and the old beds have been replaced by much more comfortable ones which with their partitions give a fair degree of privacy. There are a couple of drawbacks, namely that the beds are more difficult to make and that the pin boards cannot be used because they have been varnished, but on the whole it has been a very worthwhile improvement. Top Dormitory is being similarly redecorated during the holidays and it is hoped that the suitroom will then be put to better use.

Finally, I must record our gratitude to Mr. Stephens and Mr. Slogrove for letting us use their T.V.s so often ("Match of the Day" attendances are records now that Mr. Stephens has installed colour T.V.). Also to Mrs. Stephens who ungrudgingly gives us so much of her time and patience.

Fairwater "Folle decet pueros ludere" (Martial) which roughly translated means, "Anyone want to kick a ball about ?" In fact balls of various shapes and sizes have played an important part in the life of Fairwater for the last couple of terms. Football has, of course, attracted the greatest number of followers and come rain come shine our resident exponents of the gentle art of kicking a round leather projectile between two posts have exercised their skills on the Green. Some even managed to achieve a certain degree of proficiency at it. When rain finally turned the Green into a dirty brown quagmire and play was suspended, undaunted our heroes turned to Subbuteo and founded our House Subbuteo League. In the minor sports, too, we achieved some success.

The House Rugby Competitions brought two victories, one for the 1st XV and one for the 2nd XV, both against Goodland. Some of the younger members of the House put up a very creditable performance for the 2nd XV against the much larger (physically) teams from other Houses and deserved more success than was forthcoming. The Hockey teams also played well, the House 1st VI got through to the semi-final of the House Competition but lost to Foxcombe. The 2nd VI got right through to the final but lost, again to Foxcombe. The Crosscountry teams did not fare quite so well, despite good individual performances by Mark Andrew in the Seniors

and Nick Austin in the Juniors, but the runners made up in spirit for what they lacked in speed. So, overall, Fairwater seems to be proving that the lull in sporting achievement of the last couple of years is at an end, and we look forward to greater success in the future.

Sport, however, is not everything, and various other activi-

ties have been in evidence around the House. In the cellars a new section has been excavated, decorated and furnished under the auspices of Peter Grundy and John Clarke. The Rec. Room billiard table was re-covered and we obtained a new table tennis table and both have seen good use. Music is another favoured pastime; we have several guitarists (some quite good) plus a phantom pianist who insists on bashing out twelve-bars on the Prep.

Room piano late at night. The School projection team which, although some people might not realize it, is supplied entirely by Fairwater has worked hard to provide the School with its numerous film shows, and to their credit have suffered very few breakdowns.

Last term the back of the house was given a facelift and was considerably improved.

The inside is much the same as ever, but we have needed to get the plasterer in to mend a few cracks, particularly when a certain member of the Lower VI suddenly appeared through the ceiling of Dorm One amid a hail of disintegrating plaster.

Among all the various leisure activities at least some of us managed to get some work done, as is exemplified by the success of our two Oxbridge candidates Alun Jones and Tom Murphy. The former got a scholarship and the latter a place, both at Oxford. We wish them both the best of luck for the future.

And with that I draw to a close this anecdotal conglomeration of useful facts and information. Ave atque vale.

Foxcombe The reader of the past few years of Foxcombe House notes may be wondering exactly where Foxcombe is and what has been happening to Foxcombe. I should like to take this opportunity to say that Foxcombe is not sailing into the sunset, nor for that matter is Foxcombe steering past dangerous reefs up Greenway Road. In fact Foxcombe is on a very even keel, standing where it has always stood, at 212 and 214, Greenway Road, and is in no position to be steering anywhere. As to what has been happening to Foxcombe in the last two terms, here is the story so far. . . .

Once more Foxcombe has had its usual domination of the Chess and Bridge teams, and although Oz has only won one game in the past two terms, he did put up a good showing in the House Social. The other societies have been similarly taken over by Foxcombe management—Scientific (John Osmond), Natural History (Bernie Elliott), Fencing (Mike Russell) Literary and Historical (John Nicholson), Beagling (Bobby Burpitt). The Goodland Public Speaking Competition had Foxcombe representatives in the winning team (John Nicholson) and in the team that should have won (Blair—we all know who won that one—Eldridge).

Moreover, the team that came fourth was all Foxcombe, and we hope that Mr. Cox, Mr. Carter and Mr. Nuttall have more than just an outsider's chance next year. Mr. Nuttall's gift for summing up what his

partners should have said (even if they did not actually say it) has also been evident in the Area Speaking Competition, where the School team came third to the two professional Weirfield teams.

But while these major activities flourish, it is still pleasant to see interest in the minority pastimes, such as sport. A long list of Foxcombe names appeared in rugger team divisions; in fact so long a list that this year we had a House 3rd XV, who were only beaten by eventual finalists, Wills East 2nd XV. The 3rds boasted many contrasts in size and ability, right down from Royston Amor to Arthur Parshotam. The side was well captained by Steve Choules.

Moving up, the House 2nds managed to beat Wills East 2nds in the Final, but not before Wills East became the first side to score against us. (The result of many painstaking penalty kicks in their favour.) The House 1 sts played well under the captaincy of Charlie Davies, but his absence and a strong Wills East scrum meant that Foxcombe lost the Final for the third time in five years.

Heroic efforts were made by many of the side; in particular Adetora Adebiyi, Nic Cox and John Osmond, whilst Colours were also earned by Alex Koutzoukis, Peter Newland, lain Jenks, and Philip Jenks.

Mention must be made here of Charlie Davies, who left the House at the end of the Winter term. Charlie was a fire of inspiration for many years, and in losing him we lose the last of the generation that lived

in Foxcombe through both Junior and Senior House days.

We also lose a great personality for who but Charlie could captain last year's House 2nds and spend half the final on the touch line? And who but he could have inspired those immortal lines on the hipswing and the handbag? We regret his failure to get into Oxford, and wish him the best of luck for the future.

As regards hockey, the House 2nds performed commendably and even managed to win the Cup for the second year running. They were courageously inspired by Gareth Jones. In the 1 sts, we again won the Competition. Nic Cox captained the team, with Neil Nuttall, Paul Colebrook and Jonathan Gidley in defence, whilst Dave Heward and Graham Rendall were dusting up the goals in attack.

This year two totally separate Cross-country teams had to be raised, one Senior and one Junior, and Foxcombe came fourth in the Senior and second in the Junior. Philip Jenks and John Pitman were awarded House Colours for their brisk performances, and the Junior result, achieved by a young side, showed promise for the future.

Basketball has flourished, particularly at weekends; and Foxcombe has achieved some good results over the past weeks. Untimely defeat by Wills West limited chances of an outright victory in the House Competition, but it is possible that the Cup may yet be shared.

Squash has also flourished, particularly during rugger divi-

D

sions; and Chris Elworthy's captaincy of the House squash team may bring the Cup back to Foxcombe. (The House Squash Competition is rarely noted in this illustrious magazine, as it usually occurs shortly after the deadline for House notes, but some long time before the actual appearance of this magazine upon the open market.)

By now, if anybody is still reading this worthy document, he may be beginning to wonder how long these notes are going to continue and his wonder would not be unjustified. So, to satisfy the inquisitive minds of the readership, here is the reason for the length of the notes: 1. Foxcombe is much bigger than most houses in the school.

2. Therefore, there are more people who want to see their name in print than in most houses.

3. Therefore, Foxcombe deserves longer notes than most houses.

Inside the House there have been several changes over the last two terms. A re-covered Billiard table, and the introduction of a House television have both provided much enjoyment (as well as several questions of priorities). It is hoped that both these will have long lives in Foxcombe. There have been a number of Kitchecks (and/or day time fire practices ?) It is hoped that both these will not have long lives in Foxcombe. A large number of people have made odd noises in Chapel, to the accompaniment of Peter Green on the organ and Steve Choules on the

drums. Meanwhile, back at the Foxcombe Pavilion and/or Chinatown at the front of the building, music is reported to be drifting sweetly through the House. "Who could that be?" one asks oneself. However, not even that kind of music can be held responsible for the number of broken windows in the House; but perhaps Hicks, Carter, Davis, etc., etc., are not entirely unfamiliar names in the plate glass industry. With all these gaps in the window frames, it has almost seemed unnecessary to lock the House up at night, but Bob ("You're in the army now") Burpitt has been tireless in his duty. The advent of the miners' strike brought not a little entertainment to many; and it also enabled Foxcombe to return to the timetable which involves a 5.30 p.m. tea. This change (or reversion to the old system) was welcomed by all with open arms, and the conclusion of the strike ended several hopes of permanent retention of the system. (No doubt the timetable will be reviewed at a later date ?) The new town-leave system has also been well received, since a House list in a prominent position is of far more practical value than someone's vague memory of granting spoken permission to someone else at some time or other.

Admittedly the "definitely-notambiguous" ruling on hair and casual dress have caused total chaos and much resentment, especially from people with curly hair, purple shirts and fawn trousers; but then this is the natural result of all regulations intended to combat fash-

ion.

But let us let sleeping dogs lie for the moment, and come instead to the most important of all the activities that have existed in Foxcombe. Under this sweeping generalization can be placed the Dramatic Society, with a naturally Foxcombe-inclined stage gang consisting of Stage Manager Michael Russell, Assistant Stage Manager John Osmond and Assistants Steve Choules and Steve Thompson. Also under this heading there must appear the "Informal Sixth Form" Revue--which proved that some people can understand jokes when pressed hard enough.

Similarly, the Foxcombe House Social must merit a mention, in which exciting performance seventy minutes of everybody's time were wasted watching Blair Eldridge's attempts to read his script, and for that matter anybody else's script he could find. Thanks must go to Mike and Bernie for allowing the performance to appear on their show. Thanks also to Eric Fung for turning the light switch on and off. (Iain Jenks does not want any digs at him about the song he sang). Let us hope Nicholas Bowler has outgrown his nappy.

There are many other things that could be said about the past two terms, and both are very important. One is called "Tredd", on which I have no views whatsoever, and the other is called "Scratch", four editions of which have appeared in the last three terms. But maybe I would be sticking my neck out a bit if I continued notes any further, so I'll stop.

Goodland The Autumn term has all but faded into the mass which represents one's former school experience. However, before it vanishes for ever we must give our congratulations to our three most recent old-boysRoddy Fleming for gaining a place at New College, Oxford, Andy Barbour, a place at Downing College, Cambridge and not least Johnny Benn for his place at Trinity College, Cambridge.

As for lesser mortals we carried on the tradition of indifferent success at rugger (it had a break last year). Although the effort was there the finish, I fear, was not. Our forte did however reveal itself at the Taunton Music and Drama Festival, no mean feat by any standard.

This was also the term of reckoning for Sixth Form projects. Congratulations to Rich Sharland for his prize winning essay on Chairman Mao and to Nick Reading for his highly praised amplifier. (Rumours that Goodland has become a Communist propaganda station are unfounded.)

However, to more recent adventures; I was once told that the Spring term was the "slack one". I beg to disagree— read on.

Mike Ostime has led a School Cross-country team plagued with injury but his well indoctrinated House team turned up trumps in the InterHouse race, with good runs from all the first six runners and a memorable win for Mike himself. We were happy to

bring the Senior Cup home where it belongs, though the Junior Cup has gone astray again. Mike also originated a new "Round-the-School" InterHouse Relay which, despite stout opposition from Weirfield and the Masters, we managed to win.

Turning to hockey, Jerome Fletcher played for the West of England Under 19's whilst Steve Drowley was chosen for Somerset Under 19's, but ironically missed the matches through catching chicken-pox.

The term came to its climax for the House with the Second Goodland Concert. Although things were rather chaotic backstage where the breaking of the curtain winding-gear added to the problems, the evening was a tremendous success both with the responsive audience and for the participants whether they were making fools of themselves deliberately or not.

There were some outstanding performances notably Nick Reading's memorable rendering of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" which was indeed a credit to the composer. It was interesting that the only items which departed from sanity came from the prefects and the masters—of course there's no significance in that!

I venture to think that some work has been done this term though we shall know soon enough if it has or not. However, a House is not measured by its academic prowess alone and I believe that this term especially has been a success for "Yer Goodland".

Marshall Throughout the Christmas and Easter terms the house has continued to build both in stature and with bricks and mortar. The construction of the buildings has finally been completed with the opening of the cellar, which is to be used as a recreation room. Not only has most of the construction been done by members of the House, but Watson and Cradock have built a table-tennis table, which has saved the House from buying one (hint!)

On the sports side success has been varied. Our rugby 1st XV beat School House in memorable fashion, and lost to Wills East. Our success in the House matches would have been greater if it hadn't been for the several injuries to key players, Louis Burke (back injury) and Clive Booker.

Once again hockey hasn't proved to be our most successful sport. All that can be said is that we might have done better if the weather had been reasonable.

If hockey is our weak point, cross-country is our strong point. Led by Kevin Christie the over 16's came 2nd in the House Cross-country, Kevin coming fourth. The under 16's won and special note must be given to Mike Watkins who had a typically spirited run to come fourth. In both teams success was due to the team effort rather than individuals.

In the House Relay our teams came 2nd and 7th.

On the academic side, John Matthewson gained a scholarship to Churchill College, Cam-

bridge. Also a special mention should be given to Kevin Christie and Pete Moat on winning prizes with their projects on Gerbils and Iron Ore Mining of the Brendons; and to Steve Earl on winning the Lisieux Scholarship. The majority of the A-level and 0level results promise to be of a high standard, especially if a little work is done by some of us.

At the end of the Easter term the House put on its first social which emerged from the midst of chaos to be a great success; mainly through the efforts of Ray Watkins and Pete Moat. It is hoped this will become an annual event.

The House has, I feel, in the last year stamped its mark on the School, and it has given itself a certain personality; at least no longer do other members of the School mix us up with Goodland. Being a close community it has a House spirit which is at a high level.

Weirfield When seventeen girls find themselves surrounded by about five hundred boys they are likely to feel just a little out of place. When we went to chapel on the first day of the Autumn term we were very nervous about what was to follow. I think we would have been happier if we had known that the boys and the masters were just as bewildered. In due course however both sides realized the other was human and we began to feel we belonged at Taunton.

This was important since the day girls at least, were beginning to feel outsiders at Weirfield. The feeling of belonging to two schools is not always easy to contend with. Three of us felt very awkward entering

as a public speaking team from Weirfield, especially when we came second, one place ahead of Taunton. It is much easier to be linked with two schools when interests don't clash. We have found it possible to become involved in musical and dramatic activities of both schools without causing any hard feelings. Perhaps the best example of compromise was the recent Inter-House Crosscountry. To the boys' surprise we were quite willing to take part, but, since we are not ardent "Women's Lib" supporters, only ran about two thirds of the course; and therefore I am sure Mr. Sparshott wasn't too shattered when Genevieve Clarke came in with the fastest time!

Since this is our first entry in the Tauntonian, I should like to take this opportunity of thanking those responsible for the integration of the two schools. Without exception we are all very happy here.

Loved ay The Spring term is the one in which nothing much happens.

Half way through the term the House all took to knitting woolly balls . . . had there been a cup for this I am sure we would have won it. There were minute ones and gigantic ones; kaleidoscopic ones and catastrophic ones. Like the black widow spider, they were beautifully furry on the outside, but lethal if approached in the wrong way. There must have been something else that happened—oh yes, Peter Burge and Robert Wyatt broke an arm and a collar bone, and Simon Wood did not.

In between these highlights Loveday won some sporting trophies. The Rugger Cup, the Hockey Cup, the Hockey Sixa-side Competition, and the Cross-country Cup. In all these we were considerably stronger than our opponents, and I hope that if in the future Loveday win these competitions they will continue to do so by hard work and with style. Philip Macleod has in the last year been School Captain for his Cricket, Hockey and Rugger teams, which is a notable achievement. He and Andrew Davis have probably been the outstanding sportsmen of the Junior School. Malcolm Hartley also captained the Under 14 Hockey side with distinction.

Our victory in the House Cross-country was assured by the efforts of the whole House, but Paul Jeary (3rd) and Stephen Benton (4th) should be singled out. In the Junior, Loveday had eight of the first

twelve home.

Some enthusiastic first formers have revitalized squash in the House and we are grateful to Simon Little and Peter Boyle for organizing various competitions. The arrival of Roger and Keith Conlon and Derek Walker has aroused a tremendous enthusiasm for chess in Loveday. Graham Heal has organized several competitions in the House which have all been successful as he ruthlessly forced all entrants to complete their matches on schedule or be guillotined. Andrew Davis—is he good at chess as well ?— won the House Competition and Roger Conlon won the Junior School Competition.

We had a very successful field day in the Winter term.

The Third formers roamed all over Exmoor, half of them led the wrong way by- Mr. Priest, (although this is still in dispute), before getting soaked in the Doone Valley. The Second formers had a Farmer extravaganza on the Quantocks, and the First formers were entertained by Mr. Knight and Mr. Sparshott on the Blackdowns where the usual crop of accidents befell them. We are very grateful to all who looked after Loveday boys on that day, and also to Mr. Wickham and Mr. Carrington for the theatre trips they organized in the Spring term.

Mrs. Wall was our House Matron for the Winter term before leaving for Norfolk, and Mrs. Denbury took over in January, and already many boys have reason to be grateful for her kindness. Mark Barrass

left Loveday at the end of term to emigrate to Australia. We wish him and his brother John every success there. Stephen Benton is to be congratulated on a £300 scholarship, and Lek Vienravi was highly commended in the same exam. Paul Jeary with a ghastly French accent, but some inspired acting dominated the French play, and Graham Fox wearing a maxi-kilt and playing the trumpet, though not at the same time, were the stars of a Junior concert. In the House Social, a play of many acts written by Graham Fox, Robert Leach thrilled us with his interpretation of Jupiter King of the Gods, though who would have thought it to look at him?

Mark Lawson has continued to invent games to be played in the House—Mr. Waddington watch out—the only common thing to all of them is that he invariably wins. Lek Vienravi captained a house quiz team to victory over Winterstoke. With two Pianskools also playing it was more like Brain of Thailand 1972 than the Junior House Challenge.

House Colours have been awarded to Philip Macleod, Andrew Davis, Malcolm Hartley, Graham Fox, Simon Little, Mark Woodward, Simon Trevelyan, Robert Wyatt, Robert Smith, Stephen Benton, Paul Jeary, John Withers and Michael Pudner.

As I said, nothing much happens this term.

Winterstoke By far the most important event in Winterstoke since the end of last Summer term has been the arrival, last September, of our new Matron, Miss Faunce-Brown. She has settled down with a will to the doctoring and scrubbing of the top corridor inhabitants, and we all hope that she will be very happy with us: long may she remain! With her, she brought her own version of the rolling stones—a home jewellery device that rolls and rumbles and produces semi-precious stones out of old bits of brick and pebble. She is doing a roaring trade in key-rings, pendants and brooches.

September also brought to Winterstoke the good news that Mr. Farmer had become engaged to be married, and we were all quickly introduced to his fiancé, Elaine Brown. She was immediately "voted a hit" in a big way, and we wish both Mr. Farmer and Elaine every good wish for the future.

Also arriving at the House in September were about twenty new boys whom we welcome, hoping that each one will have something positive to offer Winterstoke. Some of these have already left their mark in one way or another—one can immediately think of the choir singing of Nigel Jenks, Andrew Reekie and Timothy Bignellably supported by Roger Ford and Stephen Welsh of the 2nd forms; one thinks of the devastating tackle on the rugby field of Ian Jarman and Christopher Jacobs; one thinks with horror of the total disorganization of

Mark Hindle who loses everything (including himself) at least twice a day; one also remembers (with gastonomic delight) the wild duck that was brought in, dead, by a party of 1st year Sunday walkers, and which was eaten by the main school House-magisterial dignatories ; one remembers with less pleasure, the untidiness of dorm 12 and the dirty feet of dorm 13 (and the joys of the ensuing cold baths).

Looking back over the past two terms we mainly find individual items of achievement to record. Rugby in the Winter saw us victors over Evans and Neal, though we received a fair old thumping at the hands of Loveday. House colours were awarded to Rick Caley, the skipper, Paul Williams and Nick Allen, all of whom played like Trojans, as did our only old colour, Mike Lea-Cox. Field Day in November saw us divided into two groups with Evans and Loveday. The 1st year went, organized by the ever-patient Chaplain, to Cricket St. Thomas, to the Wild Life Park, and to the Castle Neroche Forest Trail in the afternoon where (a) we managed to break one arm; (b) Christopher Pendleton discovered, to his (and others') chagrin and dismay, a wasps' nest; (c) we collected different leaves for which Hugh Finnis won the prize and (d) we fought and soundly defeated Loveday in a pitched battle. The 2nd and 3rd years went out in the Minehead direction with secret messages to be co-ordinated and acted upon. Unfortunately the two parties failed to meet

and lunch was nearly not had as a consequence.

Our thanks are again due to Mr. Wickham for organizing theatre trips to Goldoni's "Mirandalino" in November, and to "Charley's Aunt" in January. Those who went found the outings well worth while, and it's a pity that some of our members never take advantage of these occasions when we can get away from the School as a cultural group.

Easter term sporting activities concern hockey and crosscountry. We have a number of talented hockey players who managed to see us to second position in both the six-a-side and the eleven-a-side, both losing to Loveday. Colours for hockey were awarded to Rick Caley, Paul Williams, Kenneth Lovelady, Chris Pugsley and Ian Valentine. Of these Rick Caley and Ian Valentine are to be congratulated on winning their School Under 14 Colours.

Cross-country is popular only with the Assistant Housemaster, and consequently Winterstoke failed to perform with any distinction on March 9th. In the Junior division Andrew Reekie came 7th, though in the Senior group, colours were awarded to Paul Williams (5th) Simon Arrindell (7th) and Chris Pugsley (12th). Again we came 2nd to Loveday.

Michael Pheby is to be congratulated on winning the School Junior Foil. He has fought with considerable success in several School matches and has done well.

We started the year off with a new Houseroom—what used to be the Junior House Dining-

room—which we have divided into three sections, a games area, a sitting area and a prep. room. This gives us more space than we had before and things are much easier. Further building and improvements have also been going on in top corridor, and Matron's sittingroom has been enlarged and redecorated, and surgery (newly painted) has moved down to the west end.

The artistic talents within the House are being encouraged more than ever with the advent of the new art centre in our midst, and the dormitories are much adorned. Kim Bacon is the king of dorm 18 in this respect, and David Nicholson has produced soccer posters of the two current House sides— Rufus Red Rangers and Sparky Athletic. Much in use also has been the workshop upstairs.

The resumption of interest here has been the result of the purchase of new carpentry tools. Lindsey Goodwin is a regular perfomer here, ably assisted by Colin Bartleet.

Culture and brain have been provided by Andrew Patterson, who has played chess with distinction for the School, not to mention his fine piano playing. Richard Caley (top of 3A and 135 out of 150 for his Music exam), Patrick Robinson Chris Sellwood, Kenneth Lovelady and Chris Parish (top four of 2C), Chris Jacobs for being the star of the 1A play, and Paul Hector and Stephen Brook for being realistic individuals in the 2B French play.

The electricity cuts hit us with sporting regularity in February, much to the grief of

the House Prefects who missed and both "Sportsnight", "Match of the Day" for two whole weeks.

During the Spring Term the House was pleased to hear that Mr. Michael Brown had joined the House as an Assistant Housemaster, and he has already become a Thursday evening "regular".

Finally, the Summer term sees the advent of a new Assistant Housemaster, Dr. Havard.

We hope that he will be very happy with us and we wish him a very warm welcome. The retiring incumbent of Dr. Havard's rooms, bound for foreign parts, wishes Winterstoke every success in the future, and thanks the House for its kind tolerance during the past two very happy years.

Neal We returned to school in January no longer self-conscious of being a new House with a new name, but a House that was already beginning to find its own feet. This transition was helped on its way by the fact that the painters and decorators had, during the holidays, removed the old Quantock's paintwork from the Common Room walls, and replaced it with a smart new blue. Resplendent in our new decor, we now look forward to the day when the heavy brigade stop kicking footballs around in-

doors—a habit which is doubtless also discouraged at home.

We are able to look back with limited satisfaction on the term's orthodox sporting activities. The sight of Hebditch winning the Junior Crosscountry, and appearing to be not out of breath at the finish, was a tonic, but the "tail", which saw ten of our sixteen runners finishing in the last twenty took much of the fizz out of it. The seniors ran with slightly more distinction, but overall we took third place behind Loveday and Winterstoke. Vanstone, Sharp, Paull and Hebditch were awarded colours.

The Hockey Competition proved a repeat of last term's rugger event, Evans and Neal battling in the last round to avoid the "wooden spoon".

Once again Neal triumphed, this time 1-0, after having lost heavily to Loveday and narrowly to Winterstoke. Colours were awarded to Hick and Paull.

Several members of the House achieved academic success when it came to end of term placings, while a number of people displayed their interests and their talents in the exhibition on the last day of term. Mention must be made of Hick's prowess at chess, which brought him a place in the School team and a large number of successes.

And so we look forward to a summer term that will complete our first year as a House, in the hope that though our numbers are small we may achieve success in all walks of school life.

Evans A new School Year has seen the emergence of two new Junior Day-boy Houses to replace Quantocks. Evans House, named in honour of Lionel V. Evans, the President of the School Council from 1965-71, is one of these and in fact beginning to make its mark on life at Taunton School.

The common room, situated in the former dining area of the day-boy block, has gradually acquired the necessary facilities. A snooker table (exQuantocks) was obtained and then renovated most skilfully by the Housemaster who had also managed to acquire a table-tennis table which Fairwater no longer wanted. This has now been superseded by a brand new table "purchased" with Greenshield stamps as a result of generous donations by parents. These tables have provided endless hours of enterment and provided a House Table Tennis and Snooker Competition which were worthily won by Chris Kelly and Martin Booker respectively.

Our performances on the games field, unfortunately, have been rather unsuccessful and in this respect we have been handicapped by the lack of any regular School team players amongst our Third formers. On the rugby field we performed with enthusiasm, but not a single victory was won. Similarly in the eleven-a-side hockey, we managed to lose the three matches played. The Hockey sixes, however, provided us with a notable success—a vic-

tory by 4-0 being achieved against Neal. In the crosscountry individuals performed very well notably Simon Hiscox and Nicholas Kent who finished first and second in the Senior race, and Dominic Anderson who was second in the Junior race but the overall performance of the House was rather disappointing and as a result we again finished fourth. Despite the poor results several boys have gained their House colours and fully deserved to: Rugby—Nicholas Kent and Martin Booker; Hockey—Robert Adam; Crosscountry—Simon Hiscox, Nicholas Kent, Chris Kelly, Peter Watson and Mark Spiro.

In the Winter term on Expedition Day, the House, in conjunction with Winterstoke and Loveday had three very successful trips. The Third formers to the Quantocks and the First Year boys to the Wild Life Park at Cricket St. Thomas, and to Castle Neroche. On the latter trip Michael Bradfield somehow managed to run into the chaplain's dog, fall and break a wrist.

The House has been strongly represented in the various junior concerts held during the last

two terms. Nicholas Davey (guitar), Chris Kelly (flute), William Kirk (oboe), Michael Price (recorder) and Angus Radford (piano), have all performed with varying degrees of accomplishment. In fact, music has been quite a feature of House activities. The musicians already mentioned gave a lunchtime concert last term, while this term has seen the inauguration of the Evans House Music Club every Friday lunchtime in the Gwyn Williams Room.

At these sessions all kinds of music, ranging from progessive to classical have been heard.

The wide variety of the interests of the boys in the House was revealed in the successful exhibition held at the end of the Spring term to coincide with Parents Day. Butterflies, a motor bike, fishing tackle, historical projects, a rabbit and paintings were amongst the exhibits displayed, against a background of taped music recorded by the musicians in the House.

Finally some mention has to be made of the very successful House Dinner held in the main School on 25th February for the parents of the boys of Evans House. The dinner was attended by Lionel Evans and his wife and the Headmaster and Mrs. Roberts. A very enjoyable evening was had by all, in spite of a power cut, and we are very grateful to Major Dixon and his staff for providing such an excellent meal.

It is hoped that this Dinner will become an annual affair, while a similar function is being planned for the Summer term.

Expeditions Day Beach Walk Before

After

Over Page

Tintern Abbey Below

Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre

.2.artfe4.:0 • .:- . :" 7

Photographs by Graham Allen

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John Matthewson and David Hodge

Back Row: S. Drowley, N. Longstreet, N. L. Westgarth, P. N. Bowcher, M. Loxton, N. J. Cox, (capt.)

Front row: J. F. J. Fletcher, G. Boyce, G. W. Pitt, B. A. Beatt, C. J. Nash Photograph by Somerset County Gazette

Mixed Hockey: The Shape of Things to come ?

For 300 years the cellars have existed in the bowels of Fairwater; only in The Ballad the past three years, however, have they existed in the minds of its inhabitants.

The idea was first considered by Rob Swan three years ago last Christmas, of the who thought of a place where people could meet in the evenings. The plans Fairwater were passed and the long slog of painting, plastering and building of the Cellars numerous rooms started. I remember the day when we pulled down the old cellar's roof to expose the rafters, gallons of dust poured down onto the workers and nearly buried the whole project.

The walls had to be plastered and painted, black to be precise, seats had to be installed. A record player, nothing like the stereo system we've got now of course, and the bar selling a moderate selection. The cellars quickly earnt its name for the amazing amount of electricity it used, particularly in light bulbs each a different coloured bulb put in a carefully chosen position to give the desired effect.

During the evenings after the opening the whole house would be found underground. Great queues would stretch up the cellar steps and into the corridor awaiting their turn at the bar. On one evening, I remember, the queue reached up the main stairs.

But last year the cellar became a white elephant. It continued to open and even made a fair profit but no new developments or even repairs were made.

When I took over last Christmas hardly any lights were working. The steps were in pitch darkness. To make matters worse the cellars had flooded in the previous year which brought the paint off in handfuls. The record player hardly worked and the bar had ceased to exist.

By last Christmas we had completely revived the cellars, repainted walls, new light system, carpets, record player and a bar with a turnover nearly equal to that of the Clark Centre. But whatever improvements are made to the cellars its character excels. Also last Christmas we knocked down a wall to reveal a new wing of the cellars complex. In this wing we have launched our development to construct a lounge and games area which will be open to the house all day long.

So if you thought Fairwater was just another "crazy, mysterious pad" in Taunton School remember it's what goes on underground that counts.

Peter Grundy

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Rugby

1st

XV P. M. Brougham (Capt.)

One look at the results would lead one to believe that this had been a disastrous year for School Rugby, but this would not be so, as in only two School matches were the forwards beaten.

The team was very young and inexperienced, only five having any experience of 1st XV rugby, the remaining ten being drawn from last year's Senior Colts, and it soon became evident that the inexperience in the back division, especially with the serious injury to Kevin Maskell against the Old Boys, was going to be a deciding factor in the School results.

The forwards on all but two occasions played very well indeed and always obtained far more than their fair share of the ball.

In fact, at times it became a positive embarrassment, as with so much possession and the inability of the backs to do anything constructive it frequently led to a loss of ground and this must have been disheartening to the forwards who nevertheless stuck manfully to the task.

It was very evident that there was no one in the back division who could read a game and alter tactics accordingly. However, one hopes that with this year's experience the whole of the back division, who less one are returning next year, will have learnt their lesson and will try to make use of hard won possession by the forwards.

Paul Brougham was a very able captain who led by example never sparing himself and always in the thick of things. His line-out play was excellent as was his leading of the pack ; there is one slight criticism, however, and that is that the forwards never did work out set moves from penalties and invariably something always happened to any move attempted.

Richard Reece his partner, in the second row, improved tremendously from the year previous and proved a great force in the loose and rucks and, with Paul Brougham, made a very strong second row. He fully deserved his colours.

The front row consisted of two of last year's Colts side in Robert Minifie and Hilary Carr; Alex Koutzoukis had experience of 2nd XV rugby and together they made up a very formidable front row. Hilary Carr was quite outstanding as a hooker ; in nearly all the School matches he took an average of ten off the head and it really was a great pity that we were unable to use this extra possession.

His loose play improved tremendously once he realised that his job was to be in the centre of things and not hanging round the fringe for the snips. He fully deserved his colours and can look forward to next season with confidence. Robert Minifie was a transformed lock forward and he very soon settled into this position and made it his own. His confidence in his own ability increased as the term progressed and his play in the loose became more prominent and this, combined with his strength in the tight, has made him into a very useful member of the team.

Alex Koutzoukis made a slow start to the term. It took him a long time to get fit. In this term he battled for the loose-head position with Ian Jenks and finally made the position his for while he improved Ian Jenks seemed to go off the boil and his old fault of hanging round the fringe of things became more evident. Alex, short and stocky, a good prop shape, did an excellent job as loose head prop.

Colin Nash, the open side wing forward, played in the centre last year and at his own request asked for a trial at wing forward and from that day never looked back. He covered well and was a good tackler, but due to his inexperience in the position, was unable to initiate an attack. He played some storming games, however, and fully deserved his colours.

Gerald Vaughan was the No. 8, a strong boy, who liked nothing better than to be in the thick of things. His positional play developed as the term progressed and he should be a force to be reckoned with next year.

Nick Courvoisier after starting the year as a prop finished up at blind side wing forward. He was quick off the mark and his strength lay in his ability to maintain an attack. It was a very sad day for him and the School when he broke his leg in two places against Canford. He is a strong boy, however, and I am sure he will come back with renewed effort next year.

Now we come to the problematical back division. Jerome Fletcher was the scrum half who had a very good "Gareth Edwards" torpedo pass. But this was his undoing

as it was the only pass he gave and, as he always took a pace before passing, it meant that the ball although going a long way was always slow, and from the tight he was often caught in possession by his opposite number. He is a neat little player, however, and promises much. With the experience of a season in the side he should do well next year, especially if he develops a break of his own.

Richard Nash played fly half for most of the season and it was a great tribute to his tenacity and courage, especially after his very serious injury the year previous.

The biggest failing of both half-backs was their size, both being very small compared to their opposite numbers. Richard, however, always bounced back even though he was knocked out on more than one occasion.

It was a great pity that he was not able to shown his obvious natural ability more often, but he was getting a slow service from the base of the scrum, albeit long, and to save himself from further punishment, he tended to lie deep and consequently the ball never got over the gain line before the defence had reached the tackle line. However, this is a fault that with a year's development and the use of their obvious intelligence, they should put right.

Kevin Maskell, a very promising centre, with an eye for an opening and an excellent defence, unfortunately broke his jaw in the very first match of the season against the Old Boys, and he should not have played again during the season—but such is his keenness and dedication to the game he was back and playing within six weeks, a truly remarkable performance. He has had a very disappointing two years with regard to injuries, as the year previous he had to have a cartilage out and one can only hope, as I am sure he does, that next year he will be able to complete a season in the team; he certainly deserves to.

Simon Jeffreys was his partner in the centre.

A strong robust player who ran well with the ball, his defence however leaves much to be desired. There were signs, towards the end of the season, that things were improving.

Geoff Boyce, on the right wing for the second year, never saw enough of the ball, but what he did see he made good use of. He has an excellent side-step and is very fast.

With more ball earlier he would have scored a host of tries. He has also tightened up his defence from last year and has become a first class wing. It is a pity that he did not want to play County Schoolboy Rugby during the holidays as I am sure he would have done very well indeed.

Victor Roberts, the left wing, was an enigma. He has rare talent, is quick off the mark, very big and strong with a good side step, and is not afraid to tackle—but he is unable to stay on side. Invariably his centre had to hold on to the ball instead of passing, as Victor was always running in front of the ball. No matter how often he was told of this and no matter how often it was discussed in training—as soon as the match started he was back to his old failing. This fault lasted virtually all the season until, at last, he began to realise that there might be some truth in it and by being in the right position at the right time against Mill Hill in the last game of the season, he scored three excellent tries. I hope he has learned his lesson!

The full back proved a troublesome position to fill. Graham Pitt came up from the Colts with a reputation as an attacking full back and this proved correct, but his defence was non-existent and unless he is prepared to tackle I can see no future for him as a full back.

Charlie Davies had a chequered career, he started the season in senior side but then went down to Division I, then came back to take over the full back position. He was an excellent handler of the ball and he initiated several promising moves. He was, however, slow on the turn.

E. L. Burke also played at the start of the season at prop, but an injury while rockclimbing ended the season for him. He was a strong prop, good in the tight, but rather slow in the loose.

Summing up then—a very poor season for School Rugby, only two matches won However the School side never gave up trying and with the inclusion of some of last year's Seconds and Senior Colts should have the making of a much better side in '72.

Colours Awarded to: G. Boyce, R. W. W. Reece, C. J. Nash, H. D. J. Carr, K. J. Maskell.

Half-Colours Awarded to: R. Davies, R. D. M Nash, J. F. J. Fletcher, R. E. M. Minifie, N. A. Koutzoukis, C. E. L. Vaughan, V. B. K. Roberts.

My thanks to all members of staff taking divisions, especially those with the unenviable task of taking non-team divisions.

Also my thanks to Mr. Parks and his ground staff for the maintaining of all School pitches.

A special mention must be made here, with my grateful thanks to Mr. Jeffreys and Mr. Minifie for their very kind donation of a score board for the front pitch. The School, I am sure, will try to put it to good use next season, especially the points for!

Sherborne 14 Taunton 6 Torrential rain on the Friday and most of Saturday did not make for a free flowing game but the pattern that emerged was to be the pattern for the whole season.

The School lost the toss and kicked off against the wind and rain. After five minutes the School took the lead with a very good penalty kicked by Simon Jeffreys from 35 yards out. Sherborne soon replied, however, for some lax tackling down the right wing led to them scoring in the corner. The try was not converted. Within ten minutes they had scored again from an infringement at a ruck.

The School forwards were playing extremely well, especially the front five; in fact the possession obtained was proving to be an embarrassment. Hilary Can took ten off the head but it was possession we failed to use and this was very evident in the second half, when with the wind, our backs failed to make use of the good possession obtained by the forwards. In fact the backs were very pedestrian and never really got going. Simon Jeffreys missed three kickable penalties and Sherborne added a very doubtful try to their score. Jeffreys did manage to kick another penalty, but it was a very disappointing performance, especially from the back division.

Taunton 3 Clifton 8 Yet another day when possession was a positive embarrassment. For the first twenty minutes we were hardly out of the Clifton half, but once again lack of penetration in the backs denied the School a try.

Simon Jeffreys after twenty minutes missed a penalty from twenty-five yards immediately in front of the posts and this seemed to take the wind out of the forwards' sails. Two quick moves by Clifton and some slack tackling in the centre and at full back, led to two tries. Half time coming with the School a needless eight points down.

After a shaky start to the second half in which Clifton put us under pressure the School forwards roused themselves and again got on top. In the last twenty minutes the pack plied the backs with enough ball to win two matches, but it was to no avail, even though in the set pieces Carr had taken fifteen off the head and only lost three of his own. The threes ran across the field and never at anytime looked as if they had enough penetration to score.

Simon Jeffreys did kick a penalty in the dying minutes of the game and this was the School's only score.

Taunton 22 Cranleigh 15 On a fine day the School got off to a very good start, attacking from the kick off. It soon became obvious that Cranleigh did not like the ball on the grass. From a scrum inside the Cranleigh half the ball went loose and was dribbled on to where Victor Roberts was able to pick up in full flight to cross mid way out. Simon Jeffreys with a good kick converted.

After a spell of even play Cranleigh came back into the game with a penalty for offside, and this was the score at the change round.

In the second half, down the slope, the School soon went further ahead with a try

by Geoffrey Boyce from a good threequarter movement, again converted by Simon Jeffreys. The forwards were once again playing extremely well and getting good possession against a stodgy Cranleigh pack. Hilary Carr was in fine form taking seven against the head. But once again Cranleigh struck back through their centre and captain who scored a good individual try which was converted.

The School were once more only three points up, but from a set piece, a line out, the ball was rapidly moved out to Geoffrey Boyce who rounded his man and scored in the corner. Victor Roberts missed the kick.

Not content with this and playing some fine attacking football, the pack got possession from a ruck and the ball was fed to Victor Roberts on the left wing and he crossed under the posts, Simon Jeffreys converting.

The School then relaxed and just before time allowed Cranleigh to cross near the posts for a converted try.

For a first meeting between the Schools this was an excellent game and we hope not the last.

Kingswood 21 Taunton 24 Again the weather was fine and sunny and perfect for open rugby.

To say that this match was a cliff-hanger would be an understatement. The School opened strongly and put Kingswood under heavy pressure. A try was scored by Richard Nash with a fine jinking run; this was unconverted. Almost immediately from the kick off, following a set piece move, Victor Roberts scored wide out, the try was again unconverted.

The School then for some inexplicable reason relaxed, the forwards became disjointed, the backs fumbled most passes and Kingswood taking full advantage soon came very much back into the game. Just before half-time Kingswood kicked a penalty and the School changed around 8-3 in the lead.

It soon became evident in the second half that Kingswood were going to rely on a spoiling game as their backs lined up flat from all positions, their inside centre looking dangerously offside from all lineouts. But the School instead of holding the ball, still farmed it back and the threequarters were caught in possession time after time. This constant harassing paid off and Kingswood added to their score with three converted tries and from being 8-3 up the School found themselves 12-21 down, the School having added to their score with an oportunist try from one of the few sorties into the Kingswood half.

The School were now really struggling and time was rapidly running out, but to their credit and thanks to the tremendous leadership of Paul Brougham they managed to raise their game and there followed a tremendously exciting nail biting ten minutes.

The forwards at last got together and began to get good possession and following some magnificent running rugby Geoff Boyce scored in the corner. Immediately from the kick off a ruck was formed, the ball was passed out to Victor Roberts who scored in the corner: 20-21. Kingswood were now reeling under this onslaught and again the School attacked from the kick off and Geoff Boyce rounded his man and scored in the corner taking the flag with him. Before the game could be restarted the whistle was blown for full time and the School had pulled their match out of the fire, a position they never should have been in!

Downside 26 Taunton 3 On a very wet, miserable cold November day the School took on the might of Downside who had not lost a game all season.

The opening exchanges were very even but after five minutes Downside opened their score from a surprisingly harsh decision by the referee. He gave a penalty against the School for changing the length of the lineout, after it had started to form. The School were slow to retire and the Downside scrumhalf took a quick kick and ran over unopposed. The try was converted.

The play was still very even, thanks mainly to a very strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and the School were doing a lot of the attacking. Simon Jeffreys had four attempts at penalties but the ball was very wet and he was unsuccessful. Just before half time from a scrum inside the School "25", the Downside scrum half again made a break, was tackled but their open side wing forward was up to score under the posts. The try was again converted. Half time came with the School rather unlucky to be twelve points down.

The odds were very much against the School in the second half facing the wind and the driving rain and Downside soon increased their lead with an unconverted try. The School replied with a very good penalty kicked by Simon Jeffreys, but the remainder of the match was played very much on the defensive and Downside, due mainly to the excellent work of their back row added two goals to their score. Again the School were not beaten in the tight and Hilary Carr took six off the head, but Downside were worthy winners.

Taunton 7 Blundell's 22 The School started reasonably well on a dull dry day and took the game into the Blundells half, But after ten minutes Blundells got into their stride and the partnership of Kent and Atkinson soon had the School defence in a tangle. Slack tackling in the centre and on the wing allowed Atkinson to score in the right hand corner. The try was not converted. The School struck back almost immediately with a penalty goal by Simon Jeffreys, but again Blundells increased their lead before half time through tries by Kent (2) and Atkinson, the defensive play of the School backs being torn to shreds by the forceful running of the Blundells backs.

The second half was a completely different story. The School achieved 90 % possession thoughout and anyone watching the second half would have said that Taunton must be in the lead. The School set up attack after attack, the forwards were first to the rucks and obtained good quick possession and Maskell eventually scored, but this proved to be the only score as although the backs had all this possession they used it very badly. Dropped passes and bad timing of a pass were the order of the day and consequently all the attacks broke down at a crucial time. However, the School stuck to their task and good defensive work by Kevin Maskell kept Kent bottled up, but there was no more scoring and Blundells ran out winners on their first half performance.

Taunton 7 Canford 30 It is very difficult to be objective about this game—to say that we had 80 % possession would be an understatement yet we lost by such a huge score. The School did lose Nick Courvoisier after four minutes with a compound fracture of the left leg, but really this was no excuse, for with the possession the School had they should have won three matches, but we were entirely responsible for all but one of the Canford tries. Four intercepted passes from inside the Canford "25" led to four converted tries. The old trouble

of bad timing of a pass really showed up today.

Canford opened the scoring with a good try by the scrum half from a scrum near the Taunton line. He chipped the ball over the top of the pack and touched down before any of the Taunton team moved.

Simon Jeffreys immediately replied with a penalty, but Canford scored again before half time, this time from within their own half, from an intercepted pass between full back Davies and the wing Roberts; this try was converted.

In the second half the play was once again centred in the Canford half, but again an intercepted pass, this time between Jeffreys and Maskell, led to another converted try by Canford.

The School never gave up trying, but once more from an attacking position an intercepted pass between Richard Nash and Simon Jeffreys led to another Canford goal.

At last after another all out attack Taunton scored. The ball travelled quickly out to Victor Roberts on the wing who brushed aside several Canford tackles to score wide out. He could have had at least two more tries but for the good defensive work of the Canford back row.

To add salt to the Taunton wound, Canford scored again when Taunton were attacking well within the Canford "25" and the full back kicked for touch. The ball fell between Roberts and Davies who got in each other's way and instead of being put into touch by one of them, the ball bounced back in towards the centre of the field and the Canford wing following up kept it in play dribbling the ball all the way down the touchline and once again the defence was caught napping and Canford scored.

Criticism must be made of the Taunton back play in this game to allow four intercepted passes. It was obvious from the touchline that Canford were lining up flat for this move and the Taunton fly-half or inside centre should have realized this and forced them back by chipping over the top.

Mill Hill 16 Taunton 16 Our first trip to London for many years on a dry calm December day. The match was played on a pitch that sloped even more than ours!

This was a very exciting match between two evenly balanced teams, the lead continually changing hands.

The Taunton forwards who had been unbeaten all season at last met their match in the tight and lines-out. In the set pieces Hilary Carr was hooking the ball but the forwards were then being pushed off it.

However, from the kick off the School soon opened the scoring with an orthodox move out to Victor Roberts who evaded his opposite number and scored half way out. This move was repeated after ten minutes, neither try being converted.

Mill Hill then attacked and from a kick ahead a mix up between the full back Charlie Davies and Victor Roberts allowed Mill Hill to score wide out. The try was not converted. They resumed the attack from the kick off and from a scrum inside the Taunton "25" scored again near the posts and the try was converted.

After heated exchanges, the play flowing from end to end, Mill Hill scored again, another converted try, and half time came with the School losing 8-16.

Early in the second half a long powerful run by Hilary Carr, the hooker, from the Mill Hill ten yard line led to an unconverted try. The School were back in the game, but Mill Hill were giving no quarter and it wasn't until with ten minutes to go another orthodox move to Victor Roberts enabled this powerful runner to score once again in the corner, and so the scores were level. The last ten minutes were very hectic; either side could have scored but did not, thanks mainly to some heroic defence on both sides, and the final whistle came with the two sides battling it out in midfield. A fitting result to an excellent match. We hope the first of many.

D.G.H.

2nd XV The team lacked self-confidence and enthusiasm for hard work and physical contact at the start of the term and although they beat a weak Old Boys side, it was these factors that contributed to heavy losses at Dartmouth and Sherborne. However, with the visit of the Clifton Club Colts, a newly formed team, things began to look up; the side lost narrowly in a very enjoyable and hard-fought contest. The highlight of the season, which included a win over West Buckland and a draw against Millfield, was a good win in the mud at Blundell's. The side adapted well to the conditions and scored three tries to a penalty goal to win 12-3.

Brown proved the best forward and led the side at the end of the season; Edwards used his great height to get good ball from the line; T. Mold played well at scrum half and the centres, Drowley and Goodchild made useful contributions.

Colours were awarded to P. H. V. Brown, N. J. Cox, S. Drowley, C. W. Edwards, C. V. Goodchild, N. A. Koutzoukis, T. A. Mold, J. G. Osmond, C. E. L. Vaughan.

A.F.K.

3rd XV The term started with high hopes of a successful season, and the early results were encouraging. However, the familiar 3rd XV pattern of a side disrupted, often at a very late hour and sometimes almost beyond recognition, by requisition from above soon became established, and when an already weakened side met some very accomplished ones—as was the case at Sherborne and against Hele's II and Yeovil I—some clear if uncomfortable lessons were learned.

Despite such experiences, the team generally enjoyed its rugby, and was well led, first

by R. Davies and, after his promotion, by C. Mead. There were encouraging individual performances by several players. Allen and Berry ran fast and well on the wings. Rendall was a sure handler of the ball, and at times an excellent tactical kicker, at fly half. Elliott hooked artfully and successfully. Westgarth (until deservedly promoted) and N. R. Davies were excellent all-round forwards. Many others played hard and enthusiastically, and can look back with satisfaction upon performances in particular matches. The whole team played very well on several occasions, particularly when they came back to draw with Brymore in the last movement of the match, and in the two close games against Downside and Blundell's which they hardly deserved to lose.

Regular members of the side were: R. J. Hooper, J. M. H. Potts, J. R. F. Allen, I. M. Dewey, R. N. Roy, D. B. Brewer, A. H. Berry; G. Rendall, R. I. T. Malpass, H. C. V. Keeling; N. R. Davies, B. J. G. Elliott, C. N. P. Emmett, R. C. Piggott, N. L. Westgarth, J. P. Edwards; T. J. Kenchington, C. J. A. Mead (captain), J. F. Summers, M. Loxton.

The 4th XV played well in their three matches, and contributed much to the general enjoyment of the season by their participation in divisional training and practices.

C.R.E.

match against a weak King's College side, but any visions of an unbeaten season were rudely shattered by a defeat at the hands of a moderate but very competent Sherborne side.

The second half of term began with another victory over King's College and an away win against Kingswood. Our next opponents were a very strong Crewkerne 1st XV. Despite the fact that we lost the team played admirably and gave perhaps their best performance of the season. We also lost against Downside on a cold rainy day after a hard-fought game. We ended the season on a high note by narrowly defeating Blundell's and demolishing Canford.

Our success was founded on a very strong pack which always relished the physical aspect of the game even though sometimes they applied their strength unintelligently; Watkins and Henry, the captain, were outstanding. The half-back combination of Davis and Longstreet developed well after half-term and supplied their outsides with plenty of ball. Heward and Adebiyi ran hard at times and Drew showed some wellbalanced running, but overall the passing of the threequarters lacked slickness.

I shall remember the season for five excellent drop-goals from Longstreet, some accurate goal-kicking from Heward and the enthusiastic leadership of Giles Henry.

Finally I should like to thank Mr. Macpherson for his assistance, Jenks for his reliable touch-judging and the whole division for their cheerfulness and co-operation throughout the term.

The side was chosen for the most part from the following boys (*denotes colours): D. G. Henry*, A. 0. Adebiyi, K. S. Bishop, M. A. C. Govett, D. R. Heward*, N. Longstreet*, J. S. Melrose*, A. C. Pattern*, M. W. R. Watkins*, A. G. Drew, J. L. Mardon, A. V. Thomas, T. J. Mabley, S. K. Bakare, N. G. Davis*, C. J. Booker, J. C. Gidley, T. W. Matthews.

R.P.

Senior Colts

Junior Colts

This year's Senior Colts obtained the best results since the vintage years of 1964-5-6 when the Senior Colts, under the guidance of Mr. Hazel!, lost only three matches in three years.

In our opening game against Clifton we came from behind to win fairly comfortably, thanks to a morale-boosting drop-goal from Longstreet. After trouncing Bristol we had a hard game against Wellington 2nd XV but managed to win with two opportunist tries.

Points were easy to come by in our next

"A commendable term's work but could do better." This is the report of the Junior Colts XV for 1971. The season started on a high note with a numerically resounding win at Clifton. This was followed by two heavy defeats at the hands of Bristol and Wellington. These set-backs showed the team that sterner training had to be undertaken with greater concentration on combined skills.

There then followed a string of five wins against useful sides, particularly Blundell's and Downside. Injuries dogged the selection

at various stages. Davies, the original captain succumbed to appendicitis. Kam-Selem dislocated a finger and Sanders suffered from influenza. Pendleton took over the captaincy and must take great credit for the success of the side. Playing at stand-off he set an outstanding example as "general" and his courage in defence often served as an example to the back-row forwards as to how they should go about their task as destroyers and ball-getters.

Sherborne sent over a very determined and skilled side and they along with Blundell's (away) inflicted two later defeats. Blundell's appeared to have learned something from their earlier defeat at our hands. The final game at Canford was a fitting climax to a worthwhile term's Rugby. Here the forwards gradually gained the ascendency and showed just why the team ought not to have lost at all.

Pendleton's work as player and captain has already been mentioned. Kam-Selem and Hill worked quite well in the centre.

Both must learn to contrive a few more evasive plays in attack. Wingers QuistArcton and Sanders showed good penetration —each must go looking for work more. At scrum-half Osmond was willing to vary his game—increased confidence should come once he sees success coming from his experimental efforts. Pearce at full-back was generally competent, showing a willingness to start the counter-attack—his tactical kicking needs careful study.

The forwards usually were in command except at Wellington, Blundell's and marginally against Sherborne. Harrison improved as hooker and Farr and Gibson were resolute prop-forwards as was Davies before his hospitalisation. In the second-row Baragwanath developed well once he was cured of sideways "progression" (it never is!). Bradly, as scrum leader, was outstanding. He engendered considerable spirit from his colleagues, but he must keep his own actions within the bounds of good sportsmanship.

The back-row showed flashes of what they could do. Elliott was consistently good as middle-of-the-back. Emmett emerged as the best flanker to partner Griffiths. The latter improved beyond measure as the season went on and went close to winning colours. In the event colours were awarded to Pendleton, Kam-Selem, Bradly and Elliott.

The team realised by the middle of the term that hard, purposeful training was the only way to better results, and hence maximum enjoyment. Loyalty to team training sessions ought to be one lesson truly learned. It is to be hoped that all who took part will settle down to School activities with a renewed vigour, and with the thought of higher

and higher standards of rugby never far from the top of their priority list.

The team's gratitude to Mr. T. H. Peake should be recorded for his efforts as referee.

The team generally read: M. 0. J. Pearce, N. M. Sanders, R. J. B. Hill, A. Kam-Selem, E. A. K. Quist-Arcton, P. J. M. Pendleton, D. C. Osmond, R. T. Gibson, J. R. N. Harrison, C. J. Farr, S. C. Bradly, R. G. Baragwanath, A. J. Emmett, P. M. Elliott, M. S. R. Griffiths, but valuable contributions also came from D. G. Trussell, D. J. Morgan, N. R. Davies, P. H. Bartleet and C. D. Large —as well as the rest of the Division who ought to have benefited and be ready to vie for places in the future.

D.F.B.W.

Under 14 The final tally of four wins against four losses conceals the ups and downs the side went through during the course of the Christmas term. After going down in the first three matches the side needed a good heart to win four of the last five games and finish the season with a respectable record.

More important however was the fact that win or lose the side usually produced constructive rugby.

Bristol GS brought a very big side indeed which mole than tested our tackling, though the final score (3-32) was no discredit.

Wellington were allowed back into a game they should have lost, and all credit to their forwards for the way they regained the initiative in the second half. A lesson here too in looking where one is passing. The King's side looks a good one, and in each game displayed a speed, weight and technique which could not be matched. The wins came against Downside, Blundell's (twice) and Sherborne; but it was the last match which probably gave most satisfaction.

All the points came from Davis's consistently accurate boot, but play swung excitingly from end to end throughout the game, and the side produced some exhilerating fluid movements.

Basically the side lacked height and weight and the results say much for the general

spirit and some individual skills. The front row is solid, and Stocker helped Little to more than his fair share of the ball in several matches. Hammond led the pack intelligently, and jumping tirelessly at three often beat much taller opposition to the ball.

Fox completed the 2nd row and gave Hammond useful support in the tight even though this is not his natural position. He made some particularly telling contributions in the loose, where his ability to shield the ball was invaluable. With the exception of Davis, who had some very fine games on the open side, the back row was not the dominant force one needs in modern rugby. Wyatt covered acres of ground—but not always the right acres?

Nash and Macleod worked very well together at half back. The latter led the side by setting a consistently fine example. He worked as tirelessly in defence as in attack. and some of his defensive kicking and covering were outstanding. He must think more about his distribution of the ball. But that's an injunction most fly-halves are heir to!

Several centres were tried during the term. Sharp and Caley played as a pair in the majority of games, and as their defences tightened they began to find more confidence in attack. Haffner had few chances on the left wing, but showed that he can be an elusive runner when given a little room. The right wing berth changed hands several times, but in the end it was Finnis' direct approach and quick tackling which made the most impression. Much of the play was directed by Parshotam at full back. His safe hands, change of direction and speed always made him a handful. So too did his positional play. What he was doing making an interception in the centre on his own 25 before running in for the winning try against Blundell's no-one will ever know. His emphatically well-timed tackles were always reassuring to those in front.

On the whole the side tended to be rather too gentlemanly at times, and lacked the disciplined aggression which often makes the vital difference between an average side and a good one. But one hopes that will come.

Thanks are due to Allen for his cheerful running of the line, and to Mr. Macpherson for his refereeing and interest in the XV. The following played: P. I. Macleod (Captain), A. E. Parshotam, B. Haffner, R. H. Caley, N. D. Sharp, P. J. A. Finnis, T. A. M. Nash, J. W. Stocker, S. M. Little, S. Trevelyan, M. E. Hammond, G. J. Fox, R. H. Wyatt, P. R. Dewey, A. F. Davis, A. P. Bacon, P. A. Williams, R. J. Reed, N. S. Pendleton, Touch judge: N. P. Allen.

R.C.Q.F.

Under 13 On paper it was not a good season, but this year's side suffered from being very small which at this junior level is a severe set-back.

The bigger boys in the division nearly all seemed to be very fat, very lazy or very stupid, and the eventual second row consisted of two of the smallest boys, Kennedy and Smith, who made up for their diminutive stature by the ferocity of their tackling. Of the other forwards Booker and Downs deserve mention for their unflagging efforts in often dispiriting circumstances. I hope the backs will get a better supply of the ball in future years for there is talent there. Kent has more than he knows how to use at present, Withers was an ideal captain of a losing side, Godley has the makings of a good orthodox flyhalf, and there are several contenders for places on the wing.

Those who merited regular selection were: S. M. Barker, P. J. B. A. George-Coker, J. Withers, N. G. R. Kent, C. G. Kelly, A. J. Godley, M. J. Pudner, M. W. Booker, R. P. Robinson, R. T. Adam, S. S. Smith, J. A. Kennedy, D. R. Downs.

R.P.W.

House Final The game was played on a fine day under perfect handling conditions. Foxcombe won the toss and elected to play down the slope. Right from the kick off Wills East attacked and through a series of mistakes by the Foxcombe full-back Reece broke free from a ruck to score near the touch line.

This gave Jeffreys a difficult kick which he narrowly missed to make the score 4-0.

The ball was tapped back in the line-outs, neither jumpers successfully catching and holding the ball. But this did not deter the ball getting out to the backs, both sets of forwards binding tightly. Osmond frequently gained possession in the line but for jumping across and forward his tactics led him to be penalised. The next score resulted from a fine penalty kick by Jeffreys near touch on the twenty-five yard line. This put Wills East 7-0 ahead.

Wills East continued to attack, making intelligent use of spaces by accurate kicking and taking advantage of Foxcombe's poor tackling in defence. This combined with a strong and mobile pack who gained nearly all the ball from the set scrums due to Carr's hooking. This led to Brown driving over the line from a loose scrum. Jeffreys converted making the score 13-0.

Foxcombe never really seemed to have as much energy and vitality as their opponents who kept the ball moving and never allowed the game to slow down. Not once did the Foxcombe back row get across to their opposing centres who consequently took advantage of this making several good moves.

In the second half Foxcombe continued to defend but a well timed break by Cox linking up with Adebiyi, who ran from his own twenty-five scored a good try. This was the lift needed to put enthusiasm back into their game. The conversion was missed, making the score 13--4. Despite this Wills East did not lose heart and continued to play attacking rugby.

The final score came shortly before full time, when Reece ran through from the kick off to link up with the backs. Then from a set scrum, East winning the ball, Jeffreys dived over in the corner; the conversion was missed to bring the score to 17-4. On paper both teams were equally matched but it was the drive and enthusiasm in the Wills East pack and the determination in their backs that led them to victory. Foxcombe never really showed any spirit. This was perhaps due to the apparent lack of organisation and leadership in their side, but it was a lively game and enjoyable to watch.

Paul Brougham

" Public Schools Sevens 1972 " It was with very great sadness and shock that we heard ten days before the end of term of the terrible accident and consequent death of Simon Jeffreys. He was a boy who lived life to the full, a very good member of the School 1st XV and an excellent sevens player. He had been showing tremendous form in practice and the whole side were aware that we would be in with a good chance this year. Unfortunately due mainly to this accident this was not to be and I am sure the whole of the senior side would, with me, like to offer our sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Jeffreys and family on their tragic loss.

Richard Nash took Simon's place in the side and performed very creditably.

As usual the weather was bitterly cold with gusty wind and heavy showers—sometimes of snow. Our first match was against De Aston, a school from Lincolnshire. The School soon settled down and playing some good sevens scored tries through Carr and Minifie in the first half and Maskell and Minifie in the second half. De Aston scored in the last minute, but by this time it was too late and the School ran out winners 16-6.

An hour and twenty minutes later we had our second game and we knew this one was going to be tough as Haileybury had had an undefeated XV a side year and had also reached the semi-finals of the Surrey sevens the week previous. But we never allowed them to settle and tries came regularly through Vaughan and Maskell before half time, Haileybury replying with an unconverted try.

In the second half Kevin Maskell playing very well indeed ghosted through the centre to score two more tries and the School ran out worthy winners 16-4.

On the second day, our first match was against Prior Park and the School playing well below their previous days' form won 10-4, tries coming through Victor Roberts and Kevin Maskell. This try was converted by Roberts, the first success of the tournament— seven tries having been scored in front of the posts and only one converted!

Our match against Prior Park had been delayed by one hour because only one pitch was in use at the Bank of England ground due to the wet weather. So we rushed down to the Rosslyn Park Ground only to find that instead of playing at 1.0 p.m. the match would be delayed. We were uncertain when we were playing. The organizers said they would call us when it was our turn. So we had to wait another hour and a quarter before we had to go out and play and this plus the fact that we were unable to warm up because of the state of the ground, led partially to our downfall.

We started off very badly playing with the wind and we only managed to score once before half time through Hilary Carr. A change had to be made in the side as it had been obvious that Victor Roberts' leg was not good and certainly against Prior Park he had been limping badly. So Clive Goodchild came in on the wing.

During the second half we lost possession and really played rather badly and Eltham scored three times to run out winners by 3-14.

A disappointing finish to the tournament as we had looked very impressive on the first day.

Team: V. Roberts, K. Maskell, R. Nash, C. Nash, R. Minifie, H. Carr, G. Vaughan. Res. C. Goodchild, P. Brougham.

D.G.H.

I

I.

Hockey 1st XI N. J. Cox On May 2nd 1971, the sun shone brightly and the inaugural match for the all weather hockey pitch saw its successful birth. But nothing could have christened the pitch better than the season which has just passed.

The standard of hockey throughout School teams has been unparalleled and the results excellent. In the eight school teams only eight defeats in school matches were recorded, and this in a season which was so wet that the Front wasnot used until the last week of term.

With victories over seven schools, a draw and one defeat the 1st XI have enjoyed a better season than any other since hockey was introduced into the school by J. B. Evans in 1937. They have at all times played a good standard and always as a team. If one thing stands out more than any other it has been the absence of stars—the strength of the 1st XI has been that there have been very few weak links, and few individuals; all have blended into a formidable unit. But ironically it may have been this very feature that prevented the team from being undefeated in school matches. When confronted with a team as good as themselves as were Exeter, it needed someone with flair, even unorthodoxy, to break the grip.

The team has played unchanged throughout the season except for those changes forced upon us by illness and interviews. It was indeed fortunate that the correct combination was selected so early in the season. Many are the years when the correct line up emerges only after several weeks. In this respect there are many 2nd XI players who must count themselves unlucky—in a more ordinary year they might well have played for the 1st XI. In goal Paul Bowcher was rarely tested.

The school defence conceded only three goals in school matches so that he has played behind a pretty watertight defence. He has been competent but has made mistakes which prevent him from being in the outstanding class.

Nigel Westgarth on the other hand has been the most outstanding full back I can remember. Always cool, with a very pleasing temperament he has shown complete steadiness.

He times his tackles to perfection and has been very swift to cover. Marcus Loxton, his partner, has become a much improved player since last year, much surer in the tackle, quicker off the mark and always hard working.

The wing halves have been Neil Longstreet and Stephen Drowley. The former has marked his wing much more closely than last year and has become a much finer player for it. He tackles well on the reverse, is now quick to turn and is a very safe left half. Stephen Drowley has played intelligently on the other flank, has supported very well in attack, has overlapped at timely moments and covered well when needed.

Nick Cox has been an exceptional centre half, leading the 1st XI from this position.

He has worked tremendously hard in every game, and has intercepted and fed well. He has not got, or rather has overcome, the normal centre half failing of wanting to carry the ball. Instead he has supplied early service to the inside forwards and has been on hand too with a firm shot in the circle when needed.

Geoff Boyce has been the best forward, on the right wing, often carving defences wide open with good close play with Jerome Fletcher. This pair have provided a copy book example for younger right attackers who have watched them. They don't hold the ball long and Geoff Boyce particularly moves very fast.

Most of the 1st XI goals have resulted from moves down this side; both boys played for the West Schools.

Colin Nash has never been the greatest controller of the ball though in this respect he has improved 100 %, but his contribution to the team's success has been immense for as centre forward he has moved off the ball so well that the others have had the gaps created for them and often the glory too. He never gives up and challenges every half chance.

The left attack has not been as effective as other points of the forward line. Graham Pitt at inside forward has been a surprisingly hard worker, and a hard shooter too. He has been one of the "finds" of the season and will grow to be a major asset next year. But the fact that he has not played school hockey for three years has not helped him for he has some bad habits. In the left wing position, always a difficult choice, was Brian Beatt, who had in previous seasons been an inside forward. He converted quite readily but I feel was never entirely happy. He had several good games but in general was a bit slow in crossing the ball which was therefore blocked. I got the impression that the team grew to think that a pass to the left wing wouldn't come back so that this was less used as the season went on.

This was a pity for I think that he might well have been a very striking player. When he was unavailable, Richard Nash converted at short notice from full back to left wing.

Although a bit lost at first he settled down quite well.

Looking back on the season the match against Exeter must remain a big disappointment. But there has been so much else to be pleased with. The standard of play, the record and the competition provided by the 2nd and 3rd XIs (on one occasion the 3rd beat the 2nd XI and then the 2nd XI beat the 1st in successive games). The excellent performance against the Hockey Association, the victory over the Oxford University Occasionals twice coming from behind, and eight other notable victories.

Next year many of this years' Senior Side will be returning so that I hope they will still be prepared to learn and listen and therefore go on to achieve the 100 % record which this year eluded them. The talent will certainly be there though I don't at the moment see a centre forward.

Between now and then Nigel Westgarth has a trial for Wales and he and Stephen Drowley and Geoff Boyce have a County Tournament for Somerset. I wish them well.

My thanks as always to members of staff who kindly assist with hockey—a massive total of twenty masters this year, to Harry Parks for carefully guiding the hard pitch into use; to Major Dixon for coping faultlessly with hastily changed catering requirements; to Mr. E. Wright for his travel administration and to all others who in their way have contributed to this seasons' success.

Team: P. N. Bowcher; N. L. Westgarth,* M. Loxton;* S. Drowley,* N. J. Cox,* N. Longstreet ;* G. Boyce,* J. F. J. Fletcher,* C. J. Nash,* G. W. Pitt, B. A. Beatt/R. D. M. Nash. * Full colours.

R.B.J.

Dean Close 0 Taunton 1 Not for several seasons has one started so well. Taunton visited Dean Close as well prepared as is possible for this stage of the season.

The game started with some terrible mistakes poor stopping and careless passing. But none too soon the team settled down and the first half was a balanced affair, Bowcher saving well at one end and the forwards raiding at the other. Taunton were hard pressed for the last ten minutes before half time but turned the tables in the second half, when they dominated for long spells. Boyce and Fletcher on the right got going better and from one move involving them, Boyce crossed from the goal line at a shallow angle and Nash and Pitt were on hand.

Kingswood 0 Taunton 3 This game was the first that the team had on grass all season but fears that this would affect the team's performance were unfounded.

Playing solidly from the start Taunton gained control of the mid-field with Cox dominant.

Both the full backs tackled hard and defended well.

The three goals all came in the first half, two by Fletcher and one by Cox. This first was of the type which was to become standard in the season. Boyce carried and crossed hard for Fletcher to score. The second came from a long corner and the third was from a bad clearance which Cox picked up and really thumped. The second half was much less exciting as the pitch cut up badly. Nash continued to create chances by harassment but conditions became difficult and for a short spell composure was lost. But it was very pleasing that the team rose above this and ended playing good hockey. Bowcher was unavailable for this game and his replacement, Morgan, celebrated his debut by not touching the ball.

Taunton 2 Queen's College 1 Taunton's customary slowness in starting resulted in an early goal for Queen's, within sixty seconds in fact. This was due to the inexperience of the replacement goalkeeper, for Bowcher was still unavailable. This goal served as a useful jolt for Taunton, who then proceded to play a more lively game. Apart from this one mistake, Taunton's defence was competent and solid and the attacks which the Queen's forwards made rarely looked dangerous. The Taunton forwards were well served particularly by Drowley and they missed many chances. But the Queen's defence made more errors than their Taunton counterparts, often clearing poorly under pressure. Both goals came via the right wing, the second being the best goal of the season.

In each case, the build up was from Drowley through Fletcher to Boyce, down the right wing and across to Nash. Had more such moves been converted the score would not have been so close.

Canford 0 Taunton 0 The conditions during this match were soft and muddy and this added to the fact that the Taunton team had just had a two hour coach journey with no time to knock up, meant that it was only when the pitch was cut up that Taunton got into gear.

Canford looked dangerous in the first half, making penetrating raids which were nearly successful—twice missing narrowly and once hitting the post.

Half time brought some recovery time and the start of the second half was much more promising. The forwards, although not as sharp as they had shown they could be, made plenty of good movements but it was too late in the muddy conditions. This was only Taunton's third game on grass and a home match might have benefitted the side as was originally planned. But the Final England Trial was sufficient lure to switch the venue and the result on the day was a fair one.

Taunton 5 Sherborne 0 If previous results of both teams were anything to go by this was to be a very close, tightly fought game. Fortunately this was not the case. Right from the start Taunton were well on top with most of the attacking being done down the right as usual, where Boyce and Fletcher set up many scoring chances which the rest of the forwards seemed reluctant to accept. So at half time only two goals had been scored (Cox and Beatt) when it could very easily have been several. In the second half although complacency crept in Taunton still maintained the upper hand with further goals coming from Nash, Pitt and Boyce.

Taunton 2 Allhallows 0 Owing to the weather the match was brought to Taunton where the Allhallows team never really settled on the hard pitch. Allhallows played a defensive system which meant that for long periods the majority of the players were in the Allhallows half so that their only attacks came from breakaways.

At the other end the Taunton forwards were finding it difficult to create chances amongst such a packed defence, and it was well into the second half before it was broken. It took a short corner struck by Westgarth ("the worst I've ever mis-hit") to produce the long awaited goal. Several minutes later Fletcher found himself clear after clever interpassing and in his usual style somehow managed to pitch the ball so that it bounced over the goalkeeper's foot—bad luck for the goalkeeper who had been one of the main reasons for Taunton not scoring earlier.

After this second goal the tension and frustration lifted from the Taunton side, perhaps helped by the fact that Allhallows had now to come out and attack more. On the whole a satisfactory performance against a difficult side to beat.

Taunton 5 King's College 0 A rather undistinguished game for Taunton who played below their best from start to finish in spite of the score. Again owing to the

weather the game was switched but against rather ordinary opposition the team played too casually. Two goals came in the first half but they were not memorable. There was a spell during the second half when Taunton began to settle but they were so much on top without trying that this is just what they did.

All the forwards scored once, except Pitt, and Cox made up for him.

Taunton 6 Bruton 0 This was a game Taunton were expected to win and they did, for once, start well. But Bruton were a much better side than the score suggests and on grass it would have been a close match. The conditions favoured Taunton but even so they played and took their chances well. Cox scored two goals from the head of the circle and Beatt added two more before half time. Bruton were a lively side and kept the Taunton defence alert but Nash added a further pair, one of which Cox could have scored but he selflessly forwent his hat trick.

Taunton 0 Exeter 2 The last game of the season, played on a hot summer day, which Taunton opted to play on the desert. Both teams approached this match undefeated in their school fixtures so with neutral umpires this was to be something of an important game.

Taunton started well and overcame the dust clouds that followed the ball and player everywhere. They were unable to penetrate, however, and forced the Exeter goalkeeper to save only twice during most of the first half.

With about half an hour gone Exeter scored following a right wing cross from the goal line.

This should have been the goalkeeper's ball but he watched as it crossed to the attendant forward who reversed it into the net (where was the right half?)

Most of the Taunton composure was then lost and as the second half pressed on Exeter became more dominant as the Taunton midfield play was rushed and hurried into breaking down. The basic skills became very poor and Exeter's second goal followed. It was a muddled affair which first the full backs should have tidied up and then the goalkeeper. Taunton didn't have much to give after this—there was no coordination and accurate passing non-existent. Earlier had Taunton drawn level when the ball ran free in front of the Exeter goal the result might have been different, but on the day they were well beaten and forced to end the season on something of a low note. If the game had been played on grass at least the spectators would have seen it!

R.B.J.

2nd XI When playing at their best this year's side was a very good one indeed (as even the 1st XI will testify) but sometimes, under pressure, there was a slump in morale and performance.

After leading comfortably against Dean Close for nearly all the game bad goalkeeping allowed the opposition to scramble a draw; the same problem, I'm afraid, lost us the next game as well. Against Kingswood there was a sudden collapse after we had been making all the running, 'a bad dream', as one member commented.

Following this debacle our play improved considerably with the forwards, especially the inside trio, combining very well together to beat Queen's and Canford. We made rather heavy weather of the game against Allhallows but it was our first experience of Seaton car park and a "pudding ball".

Our last three games should have brought three victories but after thrashing King's, we missed opportunities against the O.T.'s and did everything but score against Exeter.

As individuals and, more important, as a unit, our defence played very well indeed— especially when Entekhabi took over as goalkeeper—and began to distribute the ball well to the forwards.

Up front effort was somewhat variable but Jeffreys and Rendall proved effective strikers with our captain Potts snatching the odd goal. Later in the season our two wings came more into the picture and laid on some good crosses.

Team from: M. S. Hopkins, M. Entekhabi; N. D. Nuttall, R. D. M. Nash; P. W. J. Colebrook, H. V. C. Keeling, M. J. B. Sellwood ; T. A. Mold, G. Rendall, S. D. M. Jeffreys, J. M. H. Potts (Capt.), N. A. M. Ward.

R.P.

3rd XI The enthusiasm for playing hockey shown by last season's 3rd XI continued throughout this season and enabled the team to come out once again as the most successful side in the school. Our unbeaten run in school matches, which continues from last January, was also backed up by two victories over the 2nd XI and one rather dubious one over the senior colts.

The season started well with a resounding 11-1 win at Priorswood, but this match did reveal one of the team's most inherent weaknesses, the possibility of John Mckinley dozing off in goal, because he had so little to do. This, and a few other things besides,

nearly cost us dear against Taunton Vale when we were lucky to escape with a draw after being 3-1 up. The full backs, Rick Sharland and Simon Reeves, played well throughout the season and only had one temporary lapse against Bruton which left us trailing 1-0 at half time. The half backs, Kevin Dabinett, Pete Mold and Gary Jones, worked hard providing the forwards with good ball. Pete combined well with Clive Goodchild and Jag Singh on the right, from where most attacks were directed. Simon Gregson spearheaded the attack from centre forward and was the top goal scorer with 11, compared with Tim Batty at inside left who played hard but only managed to score one goal. John Williams played well at the beginning of the season, often reverting to rules of his own.

Steve Pitman filled in well wherever he was needed and Alex Koutzoukis added extra fire power to the attack for the last two matches of the season. Ross Moon and Nev Davis also played in the last match, against Exeter.

The hockey was always played in the right spirit and consequently good results were achieved. There was plenty of competition for places but because of the success of the team few people were given the chance to show their talent.

I should like to take this opportunity on behalf of the 3rd XI to thank Mr. Percival for a most entertaining evenings' skittles and also for his "perseverance" with us this term.

Team: J. A. McKinley; S. Reeves, R. E. Sharland; K. J. Dabinett, G. L. Jones (Capt.), P. N. Mold (Vice Capt.); J. Williams, T. J. A. Batty, S. C. Gregson, J. Singh, C. V. Goodchild. Also played: S. M. Pitman, N. A. Kontzonkis, R. Moon and N. G. Davis.

G.L.. Jones

Senior Colts The side played well throughout the season and were rewarded by winning all but one of their school matches—against Sherborne on an unfamiliar grass pitch.

As the season progressed the side played more and more as a team. The full backs, Galley and Purchase, apart from occasional lapses played solidly, and the strong half back line was able to play more attacking than defensive hockey. Mardon showed himself to be a very competent player and Pudner also showed skill. Gidley captained the side from centre half and helped to knit the team together.

Stocker began to play some mature hockey on the left wing and Neale showed enthusiasm on the right. The forwards were led by Heward whose stick work was good enough to penetrate most defences and who scored 26 of the 35 goals. The insides Cox and Husband turned out to be very able players, being particularly unselfish in their passing.

Credit should also be given to Adebiyi who persevered when he would rather have been scoring goals than stopping them.

Four players obtained places in the Somerset Under 16 team—Gidley, Heward, Mardon and Pudner.

Team: A. 0. Adebiyi; J. Galley, N. P. S. Purchase; J. L. Mardon,* J. C. Gidley,* R. A. Pudner; G. C. Neale, K. Husband, D. R. Heward,* J. P. Cox, M. A. Stocker. * colours.

J.C. Gidley

Junior Colts Early practices suggested that this would be a good season and although this promise was not completely fulfilled in that the team lost the last two matches it was in fact a successful and enjoyable term, two factors contributing to this being the all-weather pitch and the enthusiastic reserves. The division numbered thirty-one boys and no doubt there will be considerable competition for places again next year.

The first shock of the season was the form of Morgan in goal. He played so well that he not only displaced last year's goalkeeper, but he played for the 1st XI on two occasions and won a place in the Somerset Under 16 team.

It was ironic that mistakes of his were largely responsible for the two losses.

At the other end of the field Quist-Arcton took over the centre-forward position and soon began to bang in the goals. During the season he developed a good positional sense and I am sure that he, like other members of the division, learned from watching the 1st XI. At inside left Hale, the captain, had a good season. His stick work is excellent and his distribution improved. Perhaps he made things a bit too easy for his winger, Malpass, who tended to expect everything on a plate.

Parshotam, the displaced goal-keeper, won a place at inside right. Again his stick work is good, though at the moment he tends to slow the attack down and is not positive enough near the circle; however, I am confident that he will develop into a good player. To get the best out of an attack one needs a fast right winger who has good control and takes up the right position to be fed. We found no one to match up to this ideal, but Edney was the best of those tried.

Now to the defence, though such was our domination in three of the matches that the halves were really part of the attack.

Reed the right half has a good hit and set up a number of attacks with cross field passes to his inside left, but he tended to get stranded.

The left half Large, had an outstanding season; it is difficult to fault him for control, distribution or positional play. His is in many ways the most important position in defence and Large managed not only to do his own job very efficiently, but to cover up weaknesses elsewhere. Bartleet started well at centre half and used his reach effectively to intercept, but against opponents who set their attacks up quickly his lack of speed, especially on the turn proved disastrous. The full backs, Osmond and Kennedy, were on the slow side too and were not sure enough in stopping and hitting, especially under pressure—which is where it counts.

If these notes seem over-critical it is because I feel that this side has considerable potential, not just because it contains several skilful players but because of the strength amongst the reserves; I hope some of these will determine to "master their trade" sufficiently to win places next year.

Team: D. J. Morgan; R. I. Kennedy, D. C. Osmond; R. J. Reed, P. H. Bartleet, C. D. Large;* M. J. Edney, A. E. Parshotam, E. A. K. Quist-Arctan,* N. R. Hale* (Capt.), I. S. Malpass. * Colours.

R.P.W.

Under 14 Those who might have doubted the value of the new all weather pitch have had their answer in the facts of this season's hockey performances, and the Under 14 XI shared in the general success of the club. The new surface has been invaluable in allowing wet weather practice, encouraging the development of skills, and in permitting more matches to be played than would otherwise have been possible. Two thirds of the matches were played on all weather surfaces.

Throughout the term the XI produced a consistently high standard of hockey, and the hard surface clearly influenced the passing style of play which developed as the term progressed. This is a well balanced side which played as a team rather than relying on its leavening of talented individuals. In the six matches thirty goals were scored with nine against. Seven of the latter were scored by Queen's, who provided stern opposition in two very exciting matches at the start of the term. The first was drawn, and the second won in the closing minutes of the game. Millfield and Downside were outplayed to the tune of 12-0 and 6-1 respectively before the only loss of the term was sustained at Sherborne. Our style of play was totally unsuited to a damp and uneven pitch, and though we had most of the play a dubious goal early in the game was enough to give a victory to the home side, whose play was more suited to the conditions.

Finally Exeter were easily beaten at the end of the term.

The high scoring reflected the accurate passing of Caley and Arrindell at inside forward, the thrust of Macleod and Sharp on the wings, and the powerful finishing of Davis in the centre. Davis and Caley scored the majority of the goals. The half backs were sound without being exciting. Thomson and Pudner proved to be good wing stoppers, though Pudner often gave his man far too much room, while Hartley covered an immense amount of ground in the middle.

Behind them Valentine and Boyle provided a cool defence, and on the few occasions when goal keeper Trevelyan was required he was brave and decisive. The side enjoyed the amiable leadership of Macleod.

The success of the side has been based upon cheerful enthusiasm, a lack of selfishness, and considerable technical skill. But in some ways the weakness of some of the opposition failed to highlight some positional and tactical weaknesses which will have to be ironed out if the XI is to be as successful further up the school.

The following played: S. Trevelyan, I. Valentine,* P. J. Boyle, R. Thomson, M. J. Hartley,* P. I. Macleod* (Capt.), R. H. Caley,* A. F. Davis,* S. P. J. Arrindell, N. D. Sharp, S. M. Little, I. S. E. Wood. * Colours.

R.C.Q.F.

Under 13 Like the rest of the school the under 13 team have benefitted enormously from the use of the all weather hockey pitch in both time and technique. Though it has been a very wet season we have lost no practices and have had only one match cancelled.

We have had quite a successful season; winning two out of the three matches we have played in spite of not being a strong side this year and of not yet having fixed the team in either personnel or their positions. However, there is no doubt that our captain N. G. R. Kent was the main strength of the team and I. M. Goodchild at back and M. A. Pendleton at half or forward are worthy of honorable mention.

J.M.W.

Under 12 The under 12s enjoyed another reasonably successful season, although a lucky victory at Queen's was balanced perhaps by an unlucky defeat at Hazlegrove, where hard-pitch skills proved not to be the answer after heavy overnight rain. Earlier in the term, Wells Cathedral School had proved less of a match and in our two encounters with Thone, the extra year's experience and strength once again proved decisive, although in the second match we were rather flattered by the 2-0 result.

Harrison captained the side quietly but effectively at centre half, and was ably supported by Rice on his left. Others worthy of special mention are Stephanian (6 goals) and Clarke in the forward line, and Hebditch, a goal keeper who was sometimes as valuable as an extra full back. Other members of the side—and not just those who finished the term in the XI—will I hope have learnt much to stand them in good stead in future years.

Team from: D. H. Hebditch, B. C. W. F. Young, N. E. T. Prettejohn, A. P. Radford, M. D. W. Hazell, C. M. Jacobs, J. S. M. Harrison, J. D. Rice, A. M. Macleod, D. R. Walker, A. J. Tulloch, E. Stephanian, T. W. Clarke, J. G. Groombridge.

R.N.G.

Cross Country Although the season did not quite reach the highlights of 1971, nevertheless we enjoyed a good measure of success, defeating Kelly College, Blundells, Allhallows (twice), Exeter School and Millfield, and losing to King's and Sherborne (both quite closely) and Hardye's School. Also on the credit side were victories over the Junior Leaders, the Somerset and Bath Police and the Police Cadets, and in the Quantocks Relay we had the first two teams home. The Bristol Schools Invitation Match, on the other hand was rather disastrous, as we finished last of the five teams. But the opposition this time was very much stronger than last year.

We were unlucky this season with injuries, almost everyone in the 1st VIII being unfit to run at one stage or another, so we very rarely had our strongest team available. In addition Berry, who would almost certainly have been the best runner in the under 16 team, developed a leg injury very early on which kept him off running for the rest of term. In a way it is unnecessary to pick out individuals in the 1st VIII, as its strength lay very much in its team-work. There was solid running from everyone concerned, and very often no more than 2 mins. separated the first from the last runner in the team. By contrast the Colts team had a very noticeable "tail", with four reliable runners and the rest either weak or unpredictable.

As captain of the 1st VIII, Ostime did an extremely good job in encouraging the rest of his team and indeed the Colts VIII as well, and I am grateful to him for his hard work and sense of leadership. He, Legg and Roy emerged as the strongest runners in the group this year. Ostime, as expected, was always first home for us, except against his bogey team Sherborne, while Legg and Roy both improved most pleasingly this season and had some very good runs. It was unfortunate that he had to miss the last two weeks of the season because of his knee injury. Andrew was another runner who developed extremely well this year and contributed a great deal to the team as also did Christie when he was not troubled by his ankle. Vernon and Henry both played a useful supporting role. Indeed Henry started the season in great style, but could not maintain his form later on. Brewer, on the other hand, although never in a leading position in the team, was always solidly reliable and consistent. And finally Jenks, after a slow start, really got moving towards the end of the term, his best performance being at Dorchester when he ran 2nd in the team. It was a pity that his last two runs were disrupted by stomach trouble, as he looked to be developing very well.

The under 16 team were not very strong this year, but they were quite a young side and it is encouraging to think that ParkerPearson, Cleves and Hiscock will still be under 16 next year. These three and Kruger, who joined the cross country option after a very good run in the House Competition, all ran very well and improved during the season.

Hiscock, who is still only in a Junior House, held his own very promisingly with the other three. Of the others in the team Bishop very rarely approached his best form, Shapland occasionally did quite well, while Austin ran hard and will still be under age next year.

The last place was filled by a variety of runners, none, unfortunately, with any turn of speed.

I must, before finishing, say how sorry we all are that Mr. Sparshott will be leaving at the end of term. He has given unstinted help and enthusiasm in both Cross Country and Athletics, and he will be very much missed. It is not often that one finds a member of staff fit enough to take on the whole of the 1st VIII and beat them. We wish him well in Peru, where I am sure he will find enough altitude training to keep him in devastatingly good form.

Teams were selected from: 1st VIII: M. A. Ostime* (Capt.), D. R. Legg,* R. N. Roy*, M. W. Andrew,* K. M. Christie,* D. B. Brewer,* P. M. Jenks, D. C. Henry,* M. H. Vernon.

Colts VIII: M. G. Parker Pearson, A. N. Kruger, P. G. Cleves, S. A. Hiscock, K. S. Bishop, N. R. Austin, I. G. M. Shapland, R. Vaughan, R. P. Hannaford. * Colours.

House Cross Country and Relay The day chosen for the Senior House Cross Country this year was so fine that it might have done something to dispel the old jibe about cross-country weather being either rainy or showery. The Open Competition was closely fought, Ostime running very well to win the individual cup yet again, and Goodland winning the team cup, with Marshall and School House coming 2nd and 3rd. The Under 16 Competition was also exciting, Marshall just winning from Foxcombe.

Cleves was adjudged the individual winner over Parker-Pearson after a mix-up over the run in.

On the last Monday of term a very enjoyable House Relay competition was held, in brilliant sunshine, around the school grounds.

The Staff, ably led by Mr. Sparshot, acquitted themselves nobly to finish 3rd. Goodland came 1st, led home by Ostime. My thanks to Ostime for thinking up the idea of the Relay and for helping in organizing it. It looks like becoming an annual event.

R.V.E.

Squash This has been a rather disappointing season in that the team never really managed to produce the results that we would have liked. The potential was there, but it did not quite materialize when it was most needed. In the autumn term, Reece played well at number one, but lack of practice in the Spring term led to disappointments. Elworthy trained hard and won some important matches, and also won the Plate competition in the Somerset Under 19 tournament. Longstreet, by far the most improved player in the side, laid the foundation of most of the team's victories.

He also reached the semi-finals of the Somerset Under 19 tournament, won the School Open Tournament, and was awarded his Colours. Keeling showed promise at number four, and Drayson showed a marked improvement at number five. Harrison S. and Husband also played for the 1st V. Altogether the side had a moderate season, winning only half of their matches.

The Colts were a very young side, and had few successes, but showed a great deal of promise. In particular Husband, Elworthy J, Few and Osmond should benefit from the experience of this season, and we expect them to do well later on in the first team. The under 16 tournament was won by Elworthy J. in a closely contested final with Osmond. Much promise has been shown by younger players in the Junior Houses, and our thanks go to Mr. Macpherson for encouraging their enthusiasm for the game. Thanks also to Mr. Hunter and Mr. Peake for their help.

Team: R. W. W. Reece, C. B. Elworthy, N. Longstreet, H. C. V. Keeling, S. J. Drayson.

Colts: K. Husband, J. R. Elworthy, F. G. Few, D. C. Osmond.

P.J.M.

Fencing This year has produced close and interesting matches, but since we had a relatively inexperienced team there were more lost than won. The Second team enjoyed more success than the first. Prospects, however, are encouraging, as most of the Senior fencers will be still together next year, and this year we have had a large influx of Juniors.

Michael Brooks and Richard Edwards did well to reach the semi-final round of the Somerset Schoolboys Junior Foil Competition. The School Individual Foil Competitions were held in the Spring Term and the Captain duly won the Senior Competition. Congratulations to Michael Pheby on winning and condolences to Colin Wright for being beaten in a closely contested Junior Foil.

Our thanks are due to Professor Sanders and Mr. Carrington for their help through the year.

Teams were selected from: M. E. Russell (Capt.), M. T. Pile,* N. D. Nuttall* (Secretary), P. J. C. Page, N. J. Bowler, M. W. S. Brooks, R. J. A. Edwards, Sophie White, M. A. R. Courtiour. * Colours.

M.E. Russell

T.S.O.B.A. President 1971-72: President-Elect: Vice-Presidents: General Secretary:

J. F. Wilkins.

J. H. Leaman.

The Headmaster, L. V. Evans, A. F. French, W. C. B. Oakley.

M. H. N. Button, 14 Hillcrest Road, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5.J.H. (Plumtree 3499).

D. T. Watson, 1 Spring Walk, Hayley Green, Halesowen, Worcs.

(012-550-4301).

R. W. Webb, 17 White Hart Wood, Sevenoaks, Kent (Sevenoaks 52396).

Social Secretary: Treasurer: School Representative and Magazine Represetnative: Registrar: Subscription Secretary: Minutes Secretary: Auditor: Trustees: To retire:

1972: 1973: 1974:

R. P. Wickham, Taunton School.

L. V. C. White, Taunton School.

M. J. D. Sanders, 2 Elmhurst Gardens, Tonbridge, Kent.

F. E. B. Johnson, 11 Church Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

J. B. Hunt.

R. W. Webb, H. R. Mole, J. H. Leaman.

Committee J. D. T. Cooper, F. Scoble, J. E. Hiller.

S. J. Gullick, C. R. Newton R. N. S. Brighton, P. T. Marley.

There are branches of the Association in different parts of the country where meetings are held; there are also branches in other parts of the world. The Sports Club runs hockey and cricket teams, mainly in the London area, enters a team in the Bournemouth Easter Hockey Festival and runs a cricket week at the School. The Golfing Society holds meetings in its various branches and enters teams in the Halford Hewitt and Brent Bowl competitions.

The annual subscription to the Association is £1. The life subscription is £15. Boys leaving school may join for seven years for £5, at the end of which time they may continue as annual members or they may join as life members at £5 less than the life subscription at that time. Boys leaving school are entitled to one year's free membership.

Recently the School Bursar, L. V. C. White, became Registrar of the Association which means that, amongst other duties, he is responsible for keeping an up-to-date list of members. He should be notified of changes of address, but to avoid giving him unnecessary work members who change their address frequently are asked to use a permanent forwarding address. The Registrar will ensure that any information sent to him is passed on to the appropriate Association officials.

Full details of the officials of the Association and reports and notices of activities appear in the Year Book which is sent annually to all members of the Association. The Magazine Represenative, R. P. Wickham, will be pleased to receive items for consideration, especially news of births, marriages, exam successes, etc.

Congratulations to R. D. H. Pine (1960-67) on commanding the Sovereign's Squadron on the parade which marked his graduation from Cranwell, where he had the distinction of captaining the 1st XV for two successive seasons.

Results

1st XV

RUGBY 1st XV Played 10. Won 2. Lost 7. Drawn 1. v. Old Tauntonians (H) L. 3-44 v. BRNC Dartmouth (H) L. 0-24 v. Sherborne (A) L. 6-14 v. Clifton (H) L. 3— 8 v. Cranleigh (H) W. 22-15 v. Kingswood (A) W. 24-21 v. Downside (A) L. 3-26 v. Blundell's (H) L. 7-22 v. Canford (H) L. 7-30 (A) v. Mill Hill D. 16-16

Senior Colts Won 8 Lost 3 Played 11 v. Clifton (A) W. 17-10 (A) W. 27— 8 v. Bristol G.S. 3rd (H) W. 10— 4 v. Wellington 2nd (H) W. 35— 0 v. King's (A) L. 4-18 v. Sherborne (A) W. 19— 0 v. King's (A) W. 14— 0 v. Kingswood 4-10 (A) L. v. Crewkerne 1st 3-13 (A) L. v. Downside (H) W. 4— 0 v. Blundell's (A) W. 21— 4 v. Canford

2nd XV Played 12. Won 3. Drawn 1. Lost 8. v. Old Tauntonians (H) W. 16— 0 v. BRNC Dartmouth (H) L. 0-20 v. Wellington 1st (H) L. 4-20 v. Clifton RFC Colts (H) L. 9-11 v. Sherborne (A) L. 0-21 v. West Buckland 1st (H) W. 14-10 v. Clifton (H) L. 0— 4 (A) v. Hele's 1st L. 0-30 v. Downside (H) L. 4— 9 v. Mil'field (H) D. 10-10 v. Blundell's (A) W. 12— 3 v. Canford (H) L. 3— 9

Junior Colts Played 11 v. Clifton v. Bristol G.S. v. Wellington v. King's v. Downside v. Blundell's v. King's v. Hele's V. Sherborne v. Blundell's v, Canford

Won 7 Lost 4 42-0 (A) W. (A) L 7-28 (A) L. 0-28 (A) W. 12— 0 (H) W. 10— 3 (H) W. 16— 4 (H) W. 39— 0 (A) W. 14— 0 (H) L. 6-12 (A) L. 0-10 (A) W. 16— 4

Under 14 Played 8 v. Bristol G.S. v. Wellington v. King's v. Downside v. King's v. Blundell's v. Sherborne v. Blundell's

Won 4 Lost 4 (H) L. 3-32 (A) L. 12-14 (A) L. 3-34 (H) W. 8— 4 (H) L. 6-36 (H) W. 17-10 (H) W. 9— 0 (A) W. 9— 4

3rd XV Played 12 Won 4 Lost 7 Drew 1 v. Dr. Morgan's School 1st (A) L. 4-10 v. Bristol G.S. (H) W. 58— 3 v. Brymore School 1st (A) D. 20-20 v. King's College Taunton (A) W. 20— 0 v. Taunton R.U.F.C. Colts (H) L. 3-13 v. Sherborne (A) L. 0-35 v. King's College, Taunton (H) W. 12— 3 v. Hele's School, Exeter (H) L. 3-43 v. Avonhurst School 1st (A) W. 10— 6 v. Downside (H) L. 0-10 (H) L. v. Blundell's 0— 6 v. Yeovil G.S. 1st (H) L. 0-52 The 4th XV beat Hele's 3rd and lost narrowly away to Crewkerne 2nd and Blundell's.

Under 13 Played 7 Won 2 Lost 5 (A) L. v. Sherborne Prep.

6-14 v. Wellington (H) W. 18-13 v. All Hallows, (H) L. 10-19 Cranmore v. Pyrland Hall (A) L. 0-22 v. Wellington (A) L. 0-22 (A) W. 10— 0 v. Hazlegrove v. Down's (H) L. 9-52

HOUSE MATCHES Sect. A 0 Wills East 4 Marshall 17 Marshall

School House School House Wills East

Sect.

6 12 24 33 23 26

Goodland Foxcombe Wills West Foxcombe Foxcombe Fairwater

B Wills West Fairwater Fairwater Goodland Wills West Goodland

Final 17 Foxcombe

Wills East 2nd XV

3 14 0 27 4 7 3 10 4

Wills West Wills East Foxcombe "A" Marshall Wills West Foxcombe "A"

Sect. A 6 Foxcombe "A" 16 4 Marshall 0 0 Wills East 22 50 Wills West 3 6 Wills East 12 17 Marshall 8

Foxcombe "B" Fairwater Goodland Fairwater School House Goodland

Sect. B 32 Goodland 3 School House 3 School House 0 Foxcombe "B" 0 Foxcombe "B" 6 Fairwater

0 39 34 28 13 20

Final 4 Foxcombe "B"

10

Wills East Round I Winterstoke Loveday

Junior Houses 16 Evans 50 Neal

Round II Neal Evans Round III Winterstoke Neal

6 Winterstoke 0 Loveday 0 Loveday 12 Evans

Winnerst—Loveday.

0 0 20 38 to 22

HOCKEY 1st XI All matches Played 14. Won 10. Drawn I. Lost 3.

School matches Played 9. Won 7. Drawn 1. Lost 1. v. Dean Close (A) W. 1- 0 v. Kingswood (A) W. 3- 0 v. Queen's (H) W. 2- 1 v. King's W. 5- 0 (H) v. Canford (A) D. 0- 0 v. Allhallows W. 2- 0 (H) (A) W. 6- 0 v. King's Bruton (H) W 5- 0 v. Sherborne (H) L. 0- 2 v. Exeter Other matches W. 1- 0 v. R. B. Jowett's XI H L. 1- 7 (H) v. Taunton Vale W. 2- 0 v. H.A. XI H L. 2- 4 v. Old Tauntonians (H) v' Oxford University W. 4- 2 Occasionals (H) 2nd XI Played 9. Won 4. Drawn 3. Lost 2.

D. (A) v. Dean Close (A) L. v. Taunton Vale (A) L. v. Kingswood (A) W v. Queen's College W. (A) v. Canford (A) W. v. Allhallows v. King's College W. (H) D. (H) v. Old Tauntonians D. (H) v. Exeter Senior Colts Played 8. Won 6. Lost 2. v. Taunton Vale "A" (H) (A) v. Kingswood v. Queen's (H) (A) v. Canford (A) v Millfield v. Allhallows (11) (H) v. King's Bruton (A) v. Sherborne

L.

221333610-

2 0 2 0 1 0 0 3

W. L. L.

245813-

1 0 4 1 2 5

Under 14 Played 6. Won 4. Drawn 1. Lost 1.

D. (H) v. Queen's W. (A) v. Queen's (H) W. v. Millfield W. (() H v. Downside L. v. Sherborne v. Exeter (H) W.

344605-

3 3 3 1 1 1

Junior Colts Played 6. Won 4. Lost 2.

(H) v. Queen's (H) v. Millfield (H) v. Downside v. Allhallows (H) (A) v. Sherborne (A) v. Exeter

W. W.

W.

W. L.

W. W. W.

W. 2- 0 W. 6- 0 L. 1- 3

Under 12 Played 5. Won 4. Lost 1. v. Thone 1st (H) v. Wells Cath. School (H) v. Hazlegrove 2nd (A) v. Queen's Col. Jun. (A) v. Thone 1st (A)

W. 3W. 3L. 1W. 2W. 2-

0 1 2 0 0

HOUSE MATCHES 1st VI Final Foxcombe 2 Wills East 0 2nd XI Final Foxcombe 4 Fairwater 1 Junior Houses Winners: Loveday

2 4 4 2 1 1 0 1 0

03455882-

W. W.

Fixtures

Under 13 Played 3. Won 2. Lost 1. v. Queen's (A) v. Wells Cath. School (H) v. Hazelgrove House (A)

CRICKET Captain: C. J. Nash (H) May 1 v. XL Club 3 v. Taunton C.C. (A) 13 v. Millfield (A) (H) 20 v. Downside 27 v. Somerset Stragglers (H) 29 v. Old Tauntonians (H) (A) June 3 v. Bryanston (A) 10 v. Blundell's 17 v. Kingswood (H) 24 v. Canford (H) 26 v. Trinity College, Canada (H) (A) July 5 v. BRNC, Dartmouth 7 v. King Edwards, Birmingham (A) (H) 8 v. M.C.C.

TENNIS April 29 May 6 13 20 27 31 June 3 10 17 24

Captain: R. E. Sharland v. Kingswood v. Woodstock Club v. Bryanston v. Downside v. Old Tauntonians v. Queen's v. King's v. Wellington v. Blundell's v. Canford

May 20 25 25 27 31 June 3 10 15 17 30

Captain: G. P. R. Ford v. BRNC, Dartmouth v. Huish's v. King's Taunton v. Old Tauntonians v. Wellington v. Downside v. Dr. Penny's Team v. Queen's Taunton v. Clifton v. Meade King Cup

(A) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (A) (H)

SWIMMING CROSS-COUNTRY 1st VIII v. Junior Leaders, Somerset and Bath Const., and Police Cadets.-Won. v. Bristol University, etc.-5th. v. King's and Exeter School.-2nd. v. Blundell's and Kelly College-Won. v. Allhallows and Millfield-Won. v. Hardye's School and Allhallows-2nd. v. Sherborne-Lost.

Colts VIII v. King's and Exeter School-2nd v. Blundell's and Kelly College-2nd. v. Allhallows, Millfield and Clare School2nd. v. Hardye's School and Allhallows-2nd. v. Sherborne-Lost.

House Cross country Open: 1st Goodland, 2nd Marshall, 3rd School House. (winner: M. A. Ostime27m. 57.7s.)

Under 16: 1st Marshall, 2nd Foxcombe, 3rd Goodland. (winner: P. G. Cleves-no time)

(A) (A) () (H H) (A) (A) H (H) (H) Queen's

ATHLETICS May 6 Open and U.17 v. Clifton, Blundell's and Allhallows (at Clifton).

13 Open v. Junior Leaders and Hardye's School (at Norton Manor).

20 Open and U.17 v. Downside and Sherborne (at Downside).

June 3 Open and U.17 v. King's and Queen's (at Queen's).

8 Open-Six Schools Match (at Bryanston).

10 County Schools Championships (at Yeovil).

14 Open and U.I6 v. Wellington School (A) 17 S.W. Schools Championships.

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