Hockey, 1955

The result of the 2nd V match against the (Railway Institute given below :- is

F. J. Pacey lost to E. Outhwaite, 9-6, 5-9, 7-9, 3-9. P. J. Netherwood beat B. R. Neilson, 9-4, 9-3, 9-5. P. S. Roe lost to A. T. H. Wright, 1-9, 5-9, 3-9. P. L. Bardgett lost to R. Stark, 9-7, 2-9, 6-9, 1-9. D. Wilkinson beat R. Shoebridge, 4-9, 9-3, 7-9, 9-6, 10-8. Result : Lost 3-2.

If we can make any pretence to success, we must not forget the whole-heartedness with which Mr. Harding and Mr. Dodds have given their support to Squash in the School.

Prospects for the future (and that is something that is always in our mind) have improved since last term. There is in the School an enthusiasm among the junior members which will inevitably bear fruit. There is promising material in the Middle School, which will only be maintained with constant practice.

One can but hope that this term is a sign of things to come.

CHESS

No School matches were played this term, the Worksop match being abandoned, as the weather prevented the hockey fixture, with which it was associated, from being played. Grove won the Hou matches, defeating Queen's 3-1 in the final.

Details :-

1st Round: Temple, 3; School House, 0. Queen's, 3; The Manor, 1. Semi-finals : The Grove, 3; Temple, 2. Queen's, 5; The Rise, 0. Final : The Grove, 3; Queen's, 1.

HOCKEY, 1955

Hockey inevitably suffered badly from the terrible weather, an the story of the season is one of "might have been".

With seven old colours available there was every chance of having a good side but we never really got started. Two early practice games on sodden pitches gave very little indication of prospects, as the state of the ground made any attempt at skilful hockey impossible. However, two valuable discoveries were made : Wetherell showed himself to be a worthy successor to Taylor in goal and Kirby looked to be a promising centre-half. Clayton appeared to be the best left-half 52

and Huzzard filled the vacant inside-left position when Pfluger was moved out to the wing, where it was hoped that his pace would prove of value. The new members of the team all kept their place except Huzzard, who proved to be too slow for an inside forward. This was a weakness which was never overcome, as Bardgett never settled down to his form of last year, and it was only by moving Macpherson up to inside-right that Bough got any support in the middle. This move brought Magson into the team at right-half for the last two matches. Thus the final team was : 0. C. Wetherell; P. K. Lapidge, R. N. Johnson; N. Magson, D. Kirby, P. B. Clayton; M. Willstrop, D. A. Macpherson, R. G. Bough (Capt.), P. L. Bardgett, Ti. Pfluger.

Wetherell played well in all the matches he played in, especially against the Styx, when he might well have been forgiven for letting in twice as many goals. Lapidge was the most improved player in the side; he is surprisingly mobile for his size and broke up many an attack with safe tackling and good interception, whilst his hitting, even on very heavy grounds, was excellent. Johnson was never as safe as his partner; his tackling was too often one-handed and his clearances were not always well directed. Magson played quite well in his two games but did not always pay enough attention to his wing. Kirby's positional play was usually very sound and when he learns to distribute the ball more quickly and accurately he should make a good centre-half; he had the misfortune to be badly overworked in most of the games and against Worksop especially he found the pressure too much. Clayton worked hard in defence, but did not make full use of the ball when he got it, as he too often passed to the opposition. The forwards never really had a chance to show their paces owing to the heavy grounds at the beginning and lack of practice at the end of the season. Willstrop, moved from left to right wing, did look dangerous at times but often either failed to centre soon enough or did not hit the ball hard enough. He never seemed sure of when to centre and when to cut in and often fell between the two stools. Bardgett appeared to be very much at sea and rarely used the ball intelligently, but he would probably have improved rapidly with faster grounds.

Bough tried very hard to put some life into the forward line, but usually failed through lack of support. His speed and ball control could never be put to full use on the soft grounds, but his goal against Worksop indicated how dangerous he would have been with good passes and fast grounds. 'He never ceased to encourage his team and was always enthusiastic; it was a great pity that his enthusiasm was so often frustrated by the weather. 'Macpherson played very well the whole season; at right-half for the first three matches, he was untiring in defence and used the cross-pass intelligently, whilst also feeding his own wing and inside man. When moved to inside-right he immediately strengthened the forward line 53

and still did his full share in the defence. Huger found great difficulty in controlling the ball on the left wing, but when'he does, with his speed and strength, he should be a very useful player in that position.

It would be unreasonable, too, to take too critical a view of the 2nd XI, who played only three matches. It has, however, been a team notable for its enthusiasm and effort. The inclusion of some younger players should have given them useful experience for next year.

On the standard of play it would be fair to say that the defence has been sound, while the forwards here lacked the ability to finish off their movements. This weakness must be mainly attributed to lack of practice.

The Captain, C. H. Lewis, proved himself a capable leader and a thrustful forward; Powell at centre-half was always steady, and Roe played consistently at full back.

We can only say that the few games played have been enjoyed and have perhaps given some experience for the future.

The team was finally constituted as follows : C. B. Speddings; *P. S. Roe, P. J. Netherwood; *D. Wilkinson, *M. T. Powell, *J. B. Huzzard; *J. O. R. Penman, D. N. Brocklebank, C. H. Lewis (Capt.), W. N. Richards, *F. J. Pacey. * 2nd XI Colours

As the grounds were unfit for so much of the term, much use was made of the gym. and the asphalt for flick hockey. This was invaluable for keeping the teams in some sort of practice and was enjoyed by all.

The second and third games naturally suffered also and the beginners accordingly had very little chance to master the basic elements of the game. Nevertheless their enthusiasm was never damped and it is to be hoped that next Winter will be kinder.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS 1st XI

29 Jan. Leeds Corinthian 9 Feb. Styx H. C. ... 16 Feb. Scarborough College ... 19 Mar. Welbeck College ... 22 Mar. Worksop College ...

2nd XI

16 Feb. Scarborough College ... 19 Mar. Welbeck College ... 22 Mar. Worksop College ... Home Won 5-2 Home Lost 0-7 Away Lost 0-4 Away Won 4-1 Away Lost 1-6

Away Won 1-0 Away Lost 0-5 Away Lost 1-7

1st XI MATCHES

SCHOOL 5 v. LEEDS CORINTHIAN 2. 29th January.

Snow had left us short of practice, but on a softish pitch the School eventually settled down to play some very good hockey.

After eight minutes, Leeds had scored two goals, but a good run and cross by (Willstrop, on the right wing, was well taken by Bardgett, who scored with a strong shot. Further good combined play by the forwards, who were well backed up by the three halves, harassed the Leeds defence but failed to produce goals.

In the second half the School again pressed hard but failed to take their chances until Bough equalised. Later, Huzzard, at insideleft, scored with a cross shot, and Willstrop and Bough added further goals to put the School well on top.

SCHOOL 0 v. STYX H.C. 7. 9th February.

For the first time for some years the weather did not completely affect this fixture, and a strong Styx XI, including four county players and two county trialists, opposed the School. The match was just playable but the field rapidly developed into a morass.

The School were soon on the defensive, very rarely entering their opponent's half. The defence, however, rose to the occasion and played extremely well. Lapidge was a tower of strength at back and Clayton played well against Bellerby, the Yorkshire winger. Wetherell, in goal, also gave a competent display. The Styx forwards, after relentless pressure, scored twice before half-time, and increased their lead to seven in the next half.

The School had only two real thrusts when Willstrop and Bough went near, but poor support from the inside forwards gave them little encouragement.

SCHOOL 0 v. SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE 4. 16th February.

Owing to the snow on the ground it was not possible to play this fixture on grass, but it was suggested that we might play on Scarborough sands. We were assured that the tide would be out and that an excellent playing area would be selected. We were not disappointed !

After a quick change at the College, we arrived at the South Bay to be greeted by high, grey waves, snow, and a strong sea breeze. The waves were gently lapping against the boarding of the goals, and consequently the bully off was postponed for 45 minutes.

However, a start was made, and Mr. ;Dodds, wearing gum boots, waded into the sea to umpire on that side. 55

The Scarborough side were at home in these conditions and moved the ball well, but we were obviously "all at sea".

Scarborough scored four goals without reply, fully deserving their victory. We were not too depressed and thoroughly enjoyed the outing.

SCHOOL 4 v. WELBECK COLLEGE 1. 19th March.

The School were entertained by Welbeck for the first time and looked forward to the game after a long spell away from the hockey field.

The pitch was firm, and the School soon attacked down the right. Macpherson had been moved up to inside-right to strengthen the attack, and crowned a good game with two well-taken goals. In the first 15 minutes, the School pressed hard, and were rewarded when a short corner was converted by Pfiuger, after the goalkeeper had saved a good shot by Bough. Then a move down the left wing resulted in IPfluger crossing the ball for Macpherson to score. The School defence held the Welbeck attack in a firm grip, and gave them few chances.

After half-time, the School were soon on the defensive, and appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Welbeck scored and then stormed to the attack again. However, the School broke away and good combined play by Macpherson and Willstrop took the ball upfield. Willstrop crossed a good centre and Macpherson shot into the goal first time, with the Welbeck defence in a tangle.

Welbeck pressed again, but after further combined play between Bough, Macpherson, and Willstrop, Bough scored to give the School a comfortable lead.

SCHOOL 1 v. WORKSOP COLLEGE 6. 22nd March.

For the second year in succession this fixture was re-arranged.

The pitch at Worksop was, as usual, very firm, and a fast game soon developed. In fact, two goals were scored within the first few minutes. Worksop immediately went on the attack, and beat the School defence to score. From the restart the School retaliated. A cross pass from the left was pushed into the circle by Bough who, from a narrow angle, flicked the ball high into the goal.

Worksop then got on top, their halves picking up the loose balls and keeping the School defending. It was not until nearly half-time that Worksop took the lead, and immediately increased it with a move from the bully-off, in which no one on the School side touched the ball.