Rugger

Training has been concerned chiefly with three badges, Ambulance, Fireman and Tracker. Training for the first two will continue during the holidays and next term, while a number of Seniors gained the Tracker Badge during this term. Two members of the Troop, D. K. Hirst and J. F. Williams, have continued the tradition of helping with a local Cub Pack, while some of the more proficient First Aiders have formed themselves into a team to train the Civil Defence Section of the C.C.F. In return the Civil Defence experts have started a course of training in rescue methods, most of the Troop being interested in this activity. We are very much in favour of these reciprocal courses and are grateful to the members of the Civil Defence Section for the trouble they are taking to prepare their demonstrations, even if we do have to tie the odd bowline for them ! SCOUT TROOP

This term we welcomed thirteen new scouts to the troop. Twelve of last year's scouts remained but at the end of the term one of them left to join the C.C.F. The ten first class scouts have been training for their Scout Cord under the guidance of Shouksmith. Three of these, M. H. Ibberson, J. W. Hey and R. P. Shouksmith, have already gained the award.

R. A. Stevens was invested and four other scouts were successful in obtaining their second class badges. They were R. A. ArcherBurton, J. L. Boyd, M. P. Crossley and W. R. Pickersgill. The usual York quest was held about mid-term and a treasure hunt later on was enjoyed by all.

RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1960

RETROSPECT

If the 1959 Season was the driest on record, there is little doubt that 1960 will be remembered as the wettest in living memory, and the problems confronting the games organisation as a whole seemed insoluble from time to time. Surprisingly enough all fixtures were played, although in some cases when play was impossible on our own fields a switch in the venue became necessary. Whereas in 1959 19th October was the date when conditions returned to normal, this very same date this year marked the last occasion on which the Riverside fields could be put to any good use. Ceaseless rain and finally the river itself took possession in no uncertain fashion, and activities for all would-be rugger players were seriously restricted from that time onwards. Unfortunately House Leagues went off like a damp squib and fizzled right out owing to lack of opportunities, and even organisers of team practices were sometimes at their wits end to find suitable conditions for constructive and beneficial prematch work.

In spite of all, at least the 1st XV acquitted themselves reasonably well. Forecasts of their prospects had necessarily been cautious, for 33

only nine of last year's 1st XXX were available. Of the five remaining members of the 1st XV, none had experienced more than one year of 1st team rugby, and many key positions on the field were unsolved. To the elected captain, F. J. A. Hewitt, much credit must go for the manner in which he fostered such an excellent team spirit, without which the team would surely have floundered. Not even the debacle suffered in the Denstone match shook the confidence which they had in each other. Hewitt, a mere 9 st. 9 lb. himself, had around him a pack of average weight 11 stone, but this was seldom enough for gaining regular possession of the ball. The back row forwards, all sound players, became instrumental in initiating many of the side's attacking moves, but it became increasingly apparent that their success depended to a large extent on the mistakes of their opponents, and the heavier and wetter the conditions the more the back row forwards thrived.

The back division generally lacked experience, particularly the mid-field players, but M. W. Woodruff was invariably a tower of strength at full-back. Kicking often became an obsession, an inexcusable form of attack after a quick loose heel, but it had to be admitted that few other forms ever looked likely to succeed.

The enthusiasm of the 1st XV was a tonic for all to see. Other XVs fared less favourably, although injuries here may well have aggravated many problems. It should, however, be remembered that slow reaction, and ragged and untidy play are often the cause of team injuries. Little harm springs from a good tackle; bad tackling soon leads to mauling and dangerous play.

House matches were played with the usual verve and excitement, and the season ended with School House and The Manor drawing a memorable match in the Senior Final.

1st XV—M. W. Woodruff*; R. A. Wood, M. T. Bell, A. L. McKay, R. H.

Parker; J. M. D. Hackney, R. L. Bruce; D. H. Rhodes, F. J. A. Hewitt* (Capt.), R. G. Bruce, M. McCallum, J. R. Brown, U. A. Alexander*,

J. M. D. Kirk* (Vice-Capt.), G. P. Robinson*. * Caps. 2nd XV—R. S. Le Pla*; S. R. Hutchinson, J. C. G. Wheeler* (Vice-Capt.),

J. A. B. Carruthers, M. J. French; G. W. A. R. Alderson* (Capt.),

P. G. Humpherson; J. C. Brisby, G. Mann, R. J. Hawkins, T. P. Brown,

M. A. Clegg. J. J. Kettlewell*, C. Metcalfe*, J. D. A. Platts.

Injured : P. Collins.

* Colours. Colts XV—M. C. M. Jesper*; C. G. Evans, J. D. Carr* (Capt.), J. L. Richardson, D. G. Woolley; F. R. West, T. L. Adams; R. J. Adcock*, R. B. Daniel,

A. R. Magson* (Vice-Capt.), A. C. Jowett, J. C. Cossins, D. G .Routledge,

N. G. Pace, P. A. Liversidge.

Injured : M. Sutcliffe and G. R. Monfort. * Colours. Junior Colts XV—A. H. Baker; W. J. B. Ward, D. I. Lewis, I. B. Robertson,

M. J. Howard; G. W. Cloughton, W. M. Hudson; P. N. Abel, S. J. Holder,

M. C. M. Anyan, D. E. A. Higgins (Capt.), R. J. Slade, A. F. Stott,

P. M. Emsley, M. A. Clayton.

1st XV

Result F. A. Sat., 1st Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Senior Colts ... Home Lost 3 14 Wed., 5th Oct. Headingley Wanderers XV ... Home Lost 9 20 Wed., 12th Oct. Durham School ... • • • Home Lost 0 9 Sat., 15th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... Home Lost 3 6 Tues., 18th Oct. Trent College ... ... ... Away Won 14 11 Sat., 22nd Oct. Denstone College ... ... Home Lost 8 32 Sat., 29th Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Colts ... ... Home Won 8 0 Sat., 5th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ... Away Won 13 10 Sat., 12th Nov. Giggleswick School Home Won 9 0 Sat., 19th Nov. Ampleforth College Away Drawn 3 3 Wed., 23rd Nov. Worksop College Away Lost 6 18 Sat., 10th Dec. Old Peterites ... Home Lost 0 3

2nd XV

Wed., 12th Oct. Durham School

• • • Away Lost 5 12 Sat., 15th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ... Home Lost 0 9 Sat., 22nd Oct. Giggleswick School ... Away Lost 5 6 Sat., 5th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... • • • Away Lost 0 14 Sat., 19th Nov. Ampleforth College • • • Home Lost 5 15 Wed., 23rd Nov. Worksop College ... Away Drawn 0 0

3rd XV Sat., 19th Nov. Ampleforth College ... ... Home Lost 0 21

COLTS XV Sat., 1st Oct. Ashville College ... ... Away Won 6 0 Wed., 5th Oct. Durham School Home Lost 3 8 Sat., 8th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... ... Away Lost 0 13 Sat., 22nd Oct. Giggleswick School ... ... Away Lost 11 20 Sat., 29th Oct. Harrogate R.F.C. Junior Colts Home Won 8 6 Sat., 5th Nov. Pocklington School ... Away Lost 0 15 Thur. 17th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Lost 3 15 Wed., 23rd Nov. Worksop College Away Won 11 8

JUNIOR COLTS XV Sat., 1st Oct. Ashville College ... ••• Away Won 9 6 Wed., 5th Oct. Durham School ••• Home Drawn 3 3 Sat., 8th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... ••• Away Drawn 0 0 Wed., 19th Oct. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. ••• Away Lost 0 6 Sat., 5th Nov. Pocklington School • •• Away Drawn 3 3 Thur. 17th Nov. Ampleforth College ••• Away Lost 0 9 Wed., 7th Dec. Worksop College • • • Away Lost 0 6

SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round: Grove beat Queen's, 3-0. Manor beat Temple, 3-0. Semi-finals: School House beat Grove, 14-0. Manor beat Rise, 9-0. Final: School House and Manor drew, 0-0.

JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round: Queen's beat School House, 14-3. Rise beat Manor, 15-3. Semi-finals: Queen's beat Temple, 16.-8. Rise beat Grove, 15-5. Final: Queen's beat Rise 16-0.