Rugby

SCHOOL MATCHES

1st XV v. BRADFORD G.S. Played away on Saturday, 14th October. Lost 0-8.

Recognising the familiar strength of our opponents, team selection for this, the first inter-school match of the season, relied upon past experience, although on form there was little justification for not experimenting. In the event the selection proved right.

Heavy rain for most of the match discouraged handling. Bradford were superior in both the line-out and the loose, but the school pack in the tight gained an incredible monopoly of the ball. Blackford quite evidently had mastered his opponent. Richardson's tactical kicking proved invaluable against a faster set of backs, but it was not determinedly supported by a fit enough side; and one memorable break by Zissler from the base of the scrum was wasted again through lack of support.

Bradford took two of their few chances, one a fine penalty kick from the touch-line, the other a touch-down after we had successfully heeled the ball against the loose head on our own goal line. A frustrating way in which to give our opponents a winning 8 point lead.

Team—Moss; Donaldson, Cantrell, Benn, Stewart; Richardson, Zissler; Sample, Blackford, McGrath (Capt.), Summers, Bennett, Doyle, Sargeant, Linsley.

v. TRENT COLLEGE

Played at home on Wednesday, 18th 'October. Won 60-0

Seldom have the School enjoyed such a field day—a total of 14 tries (Donaldson 6, Cantrell 4, Stewart 2, Benn 1, Doyle 1) capped by 9 conversions by Moss. It has to be admitted, however, that Trent were sadly inexperienced and such a one-sided contest is seldom likely to do either winners or losers very much good. Noticeably tackling began to get high and play became too individualistic, but this was understandable under the circumstances. In all departments the 'School were capable of a mastery when so minded, but one was left reflecting upon the lack of prominence of the back-row forwards. Donaldson's six tries were mostly served up on a plate, and Moss at full back fully confirmed his potential as a place-kicker.

Team selection as before.

Referee—Rev. G. Jones (Yorkshire).

v. DENSTONE COLLEGE

Played away on Saturday, 21st October. Lost 3-5.

In marked contrast to the preceding match, this was a splendid game of rugby, in which every player on both sides gave their all. As always Denstone showed a marked degree of skill in running and passing with the ball. Furthermore with their pack the more mobile had not our defence been of the highest order, an avalanche of scoring might well have overrun us.

Time and again defence was turned into attack and excitement ran high as thrust was met with counter-thrust, and play ebbed and flowed up and down the field.

Richardson at fly-half controlled play shrewdly, employing the dummyscissors, the tactical kick and generally kept Denstone on tenterhooks.

A converted try by Denstone (the only time our defence cracked) was quickly countered by a good penalty by Moss to bring the score to 3-5 by half-time.

The second half showed no let-up in the pace, and our chances of gaining the lead and snatching a heart-warming victory almost materialised. A drop at goal by Richardson and a further penalty at long range by Moss failed only by inches, so defeat we had to accept in a match which did both sides much credit.

Our thanks to many parents in supplying transport in the face of a threatened railway strike. "Colours" re-awarded to Richardson, (Blackford and Summers. Richardson appointed Vice-Captain.

Team selection as before.

v. LEEDS G.S.

Played at home on Saturday, 4th November. Lost 5-8.

Another narrow defeat for the School against a Leeds G.S. team who remained undefeated throughout the term. Admittedly we understand Leeds were depleted after a successful tour in the South, but we were also seriously handicapped when Benn had to leave the field at half-time and we played the whole of the second half with only 14 players.

After Leeds had opened the scoring with a converted try by their leftwingers, stirring work by the school pack led to a try by Summers which Moss converted to level the scores 5 all by half-time.

A considerable strain was placed on the School's seven forwards in the second half, but Summers amongst others played a "blinder" in his new position at No. 8, having interchanged with Linsley. Leeds landed a penalty, whereas Moss hit the upright and it rebounded. This was the extent of the margin that separated the two teams on the day.

Team selection as before.

Referee—C. Grimshaw (Yorkshire). "Cap" awarded to Summers. "Colours" awarded to Moss, Sample, Cantrell and Zissler.

v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL

Played away on Saturday, 1 Ith November. Won 3-0.

After the narrow defeats of the preceding two matches, at long last fortune smiled on us once again.

Conditions were poor—a wet pitch and a strong, gusty wind. The initiative was mostly ours in the first half. First 'Sargeant, then Cantrell, after a dummy-scissors by Richardson, went close to scoring, until Moss was successful with a cleverly judged penalty kick into the wind from wide out.

After a fine break by Zissler but no follow-up try, the climax of the match was only reached in the final 20 minutes, when Giggleswick staged a gallant come-back. We held on determinedly, sometimes gallantly, if not miraculously, to retain our lead and record a victory after a hard encounter.

Team selection as before. "Colours" reawarded to both Benn and Donaldson.

v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE.

Played at home on Saturday, 18th November. Lost 0-3.

Recognised as one of the key matches of the season and lost as last year by the narrowest of margins (3 points—nil), the award of a penalty kick for a line-out infringement. To say that we missed our chances would be a gross understatement; they were there in legion, whether as overlaps not pressed home or as penalty awards which were sadly executed. All due credit, however, to Ampleforth for some brilliant cover defence, but the school pack were in tremendous form, dominating the game more and more, and Ampleforth must have considered themselves fortunate to have won.

Zissler and Summers were both in splendid form, and the school defence was very sound having contained a very speedy Ampleforth backline division.

Team selection as before. "Caps" awarded to Richardson and Zissler. "Colours" awarded to Bennett, Linsley, Doyle, Sargeant and Stewart.

Referee—A. G. Roche (Yorkshire).

v. WORKSOP COLLEGE

Played at home on Wednesday, 22nd November. Won 14-5.

A good win for the School, playing some of their best constructive rugby of the term. The front row, with Blackford in particular, dominated the set scrums and the backs with a plentiful supply of the ball brought plenty of variety into their play. The attack was frequently switched and Stewart on the right wing ran in two good first-half tries.

More good play in the second half gave the School a 14 point lead, when first Richardson sent Cantrell over for a try which Moss converted, then Stewart added a 3rd try to his personal tally.

Worksop before the end gained some measure of compensation with a late try, but the School's play had been convincing.

Team selection as before. "Cap" awarded to Blackford.

Referee—D. B. Stead (Yorkshire).

v. DURHAM SCHOOL

Played away on Saturday, 25th November. Draw 3-3

This pitch has not been happy hunting ground for the School for some time and this match was no exception. Conditions were wet and greasy underfoot, which made handling a precarious pastime. 26

Territorially we held the advantage, particularly in the first half, but there seemed no urgency in the School's play, and only once did they come near to scoring when Moss hit the cross-bar with a good penalty kick.

Durham opened the scoring in the second half with a convincing try after a break in the centre. This roused the School into more purposeful play and Moss levelled the score by landing a penalty after severe pressure on the Durham line.

For once the School pack failed to produce their true form. A drawn game was an honourable result.

Team selection as before.

v. POCKLINGTON SCHOOL

Played away on Wednesday, 6th December. Won 8-0.

Something of an occasion. After a 40 year lapse, healthy rivalry seemed long overdue and keen interest was aroused.

A clear, crisp, calm afternoon with perfect playing conditions marked the occasion.

The supremacy of the School's pack and Richardson's judicious kicking enabled us to encamp deep in Pocklington territory for long periods of the first half. A linking run by 'Benn led to a try under the posts, duly converted by Moss. Two further penalty attempts by Moss and two dropped goals by Richardson were all, to varying degrees, just wide of the target, so a 5 point lead was little compensation for such supremacy in the first half.

Our opponents were a much greater force in the second half and with both Moss and Zissler hobbling about the field our position was by no means secure. After some anxious moments, we finally broke clear. A kick ahead by Zissler was well supported by 'Sargeant who went over for the final try of the match.

Team selection as before.

SCHOOL v. OLD IPETERITES

'Saturday, 9th December Match cancelled. Ground frostbound.

Old Peterite line-up was to have been—J. A. Eatough; J. M. Holdsworth, C. W. Clegg, R. H. Parker, H. L. Wood; C. D. King, J. F. N. Jackson; H. A. King, R. R. Baldwin, C. W. Thompson (Capt.), M. B. Wilson, F. C. Beaumont, P. A. Liversidge, R. L. Bruce and C. Metcalfe.

Both sides reckoned to have been robbed of a victory.

RETROSPECT

For what was the season 1967 remembered? Was it for the experimental rule, applied for one month only, forbidding a direct kick into touch from a point inside our opponents' half? Not likely! Was it for the year then when the All Blacks thrilled us and that "unfortunate" player, who shall be nameless, was sent off the field? Possibly ! Perhaps our most vivid 27

recollection might be a house match played on the Bumper Castle grounds —yes, even a Senior House Match on those infamous grounds, when the River Ouse, for the second time in October, took control over our riverside fields and we were forced to besport ourselves on those open wastes, where we run the risk of having our heads smothered in one of those unmentionable patches. Quite possibly a life-long recollection! Or will the season be remembered for the team for which we played, whether it be the 1st team who might have played Loretto but didn't, or the 3rd XV, the unbeaten Colts team or any other? Well, of course, it depends so much who we are; what interest we take in the game; what ambitions we may have achieved; or what lasting friends it may have given us. Some get a great deal out of the game, others precious little—the more's the pity. At all levels the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

The 1st XV results this year were in many way's strikingly similar to those of last year, and so nearly very successful. Three successes of last year, Worksop, Trent and Giggleswick were repeated this year, and narrow defeats were once again suffered against Leeds, Denstone and Ampleforth. "Suffer" is apt indeed, for fortune did not smile favourably upon us, and we had to bear the disappointment of seeing the ball rebound all too frequently from both crossbar and upright back into the field of play, when a few inches this way or that might have turned the game in our favour. Points for-96; points against-32; also resemble strikingly those of the year 1966 (99 to 39), although the 60 points collected against Trent College were flattering.

By contrast to last year, which relied on the talent of two very good players (Emsley and Clegg), the strength of this year's team lay in its forwards, and the supremacy which from time to time they gained over their opponents. "Drive in—boys"—no doubt had a telling effect! The whole team worked like blacks, and the influence and example set by the captain, both on and off the field, had much to do with the team's success. Undeniably, we compete against strong opposition, so the winning of four matches, losing four and drawing one was creditable enough, and at no time did any team cross the School's line more than once. This speaks well for the good all-round defence, whereas the attack generally lacked pace and penetration. The team fortunately were spared the disruption of injuries, so quite unusually, from the first inter-school match onward, selection remained unaltered.

Supporting teams also had their fair measure of success, much of which again can be accredited to the captains and their general enthusiasm. The 3rd XV have never done better in losing only one of their seven matches. After their first match, they provided the 1st XV with their permanent full-back, and all in all served a most useful purpose by selecting as many as 32 different players to represent the teams in the seven matches. Points for 101, against 14, speaks amply enough of their success.

The Senior Colts, under the watchful eye of Mr. Maw, repeated the record of two seasons ago by remaining unbeaten, and achieving some striking results in the latter half of the season. Their record of 140 points for, as against 25, compares very favourably with that of 1965 when the tally was 157 as against 20. On that occasion, Colts successes were referred to as "the barometer for the future". We are always acutely aware of the gulf which lies between Colts and 1st team rugger, and the challenge which lies ahead for all Colts players. Where, one might ask, are the Colts players of 1965 today? Eleven are still at school. Six have graduated to 1st team rugger. This is the challenge.

League matches and house matches both became disrupted by frozen grounds, let alone the necessity for replays, in the final week or two of term. Leagues unavoidably ground to a standstill; Junior House matches completed their programme in spite of a replayed final; while the Games Committee celebrated its first meeting for five years by ruling the abandonment of the Senior House match programme, due largely to its involvement with the impending Loretto match.

The Loretto match, due to be played a few hours after official breakingup time, was the final disappointment. Two nights of severe frost left no choice but for a cancellation, and the hardy 'Scots we learnt felt as frustrated as ourselves.

SCHOOL TEAMS: ist XV—D. J. Moss; I. S. Donaldson, M. A. Cantrell, J. A. S. Benn, G. A. W.

Stewart; J. C. Richardson* (Vice-Capt.), P. V. Zissler*; J. J. Sample, P. R. H.

Blackford*, I. R. D. McGrath* (Capt.), M. T. Bennett, J. L. Linsley, D. J.

Doyle, P. T. Summers*, K. J. Sargeant. *—Caps. 2nd XV—H. J. Gration*; D. R. Waller*, E. M. Holgate*, J. E. Dickinson*,

C. J. McFee*; M. J. H. Fisher*, I. C. Dempsey*; A. H. Powell*, A. G.

Scott* (Capt.), R. S. Johnson*, A. L. Jervis*, J. G. Hoad*, A. Holmes*,

C. D. McAinsh*, D. B. Hart*. *—Colours. 3rd XV—P. D. Rutherford; J. A. Pease, B. Thompson, R. M. Yule, D. M. L.

Jackson; J. D. Rawlings, G. M. Watson (Vice-Capt.); A. G. Bird, D. 0

Jenkins (Capt.), S. G. Smith, J. N. Town, A. M. Bowie, M. K. Bowen, M. C

Gilbert, J. V. Townend. Under 16 Colts XV—S. W. St. J. Oliver*; M. G. V. Stephenson, M. C. Pearson* (Capt.), P. H. Blacklock*, T. B. Sargeant; A. Holmes*, D. Pollard; R. P.

Taylor*, J. C. Goodrick*, A. S. Bowie, R. J. Brockbank, P. Reaston, J. M.

Collinson*, R. M. Cooper, J. D. Lovell. *—Colours. Under 15 Colts XV—M. J. Jones; A. Rennie, J. F. Morley, P. R. Bailey, R. F.

Atkinson; I. Robinson (Vice-Capt.); P. L. Hall; C. J. D. Bond, M. W. Bainbridge, A. Gray, A. N. Lawrence, P. S. K. Crossley, R. J. Hamilton-Williams,

R. L. Elsy (Capt.), I. D. Raley. Under 14 Colts XV—Selected from:—R. G. Gray; A. G. Sheriff, R. G. W.

Hamshaw, A. Corser, A. J. Maycock; M. H. Drucquer, R. T. S. Young (Capt.); P. R. Gooder, D. M. Dempsey, A. H. W. Cooper, J. A. G. Craven,

S. A. A. Taylor, R. Sharpe, A. D. Penty (Vice-Capt.), S. P. Coverdale, D. P.

Atkinson.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS: 1st XV Result F. A. Sat. 3oth Sept. Headingley R.U.F.C. Colts ... Home Drawn 3 3 Wed. 4th Oct. Headingley Wanderers XV • • • Home Lost o 22 Sat. 7th Oct. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Colts ••• Home Drawn 3 3 Sat. 14th Oct. Bradford G.S. ... ... • • • Away Lost o 8 Wed. i8th Oct. Trent College ... ... • • • Home Won 60 o Sat. 21st Oct. Denstone College •• • Away Lost 3 5 Wed. rst Nov. York R.U.F.C. ... • • • Home Lost o 37 Sat. Sat. 4th nth Nov. Leeds G.S. • • • Nov. Giggleswick School • • • • • • Home Away Lost Won 5 3 8 0 Sat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College • • • Home Lost o 3 Wed. 22nd Nov. Worksop College • • • Home Won 14 5 Sat. 25th Nov. Durham School ... Away Drawn 3 3 Wed. 6th Dec. Pocklington School • • • Away Won 8 0 Sat. 9th Dec. Old Peterites ... • • • Home Cancelled Mon. ath Dec. Loretto School ... • • • Home Cancelled

znd XV Sat. 14th Oct. Bradford G.S. Away Drawn 6 6 Sat. 21st Oct. York R.U.F.C. Colts ... Home Lost 9 34 Wed. 1st Nov. Durham School ... Away Lost o 6 Sat. 4th Nov. Leeds G.S. ... ... Home Won 3 0 Wed. 8th Nov. St. John's College 3rd XV Home Lost 6 8 Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School .. Home Won 6 0 Sat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Lost 3 20 Wed. 22nd Nov. Worksop College ... Home Won 12 3 Wed. 6th Dec. Woodhouse Grove School Away Drawn o 0

3rd XV Wed. 4th Oct. Barnard Castle School Away Won i8 3 Wed. 11th Oct. Durham School ... Home Won 48 0 Sat. 14th Oct. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. Home Won 6 0 Wed. ist Nov. Worksop College ... Home Lost o 8 Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School ... Away Won 9 0 Sat. 18th Nov. Ampleforth College ... Away Drawn 3 3 Wed. 6th Dec. Woodhouse Grove School Away Won 11 0

Under 16 Colts XV Sat. 7th Oct. Pocklington School ... Away Won 8 5 Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School Home Won 13 3 Wed. 18th Oct. Trent College ... ... Home Won 22 5 Wed. 1st Nov. Durham School Away Drawn o 0 Sat. 11th Nov. Giggleswick School Home Won 24 0 Wed. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College Home Won 8 6 Wed. 22nd Nov. Worksop College Away Won 35 3 Sat. 25th Nov. Ashville College Home Won 3o 3

Under 15 Colts XV Wed. 4th Oct. Barnard Castle School Away Lost o 17 Sat. 7th Oct. Pocklington School ... Away Won 8 6 Wed. 11th Oct. Durham School ... Home Won 10 3 Wed. 8th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. Home Cancelled Wed. 15th Nov. Ampleforth College ... ... Home Lost o 33 Wed. 22nd Nov. Worksop College ... ... Away Lost o 9 Sat. 25th Nov. Ashville College ... ... Home Won 6 5 Wed. 13th Dec. 'A' XV v. Scarborough College Away Lost o 19

Under 14 Colts XV Sat. 14th Oct. Barnard Castle School ... Home Won 6 5 Wed. rst Nov. Worksop College ... ... Home Lost 0 24 Wed. 8th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. . . Home Lost 6 14 Sat. znd Dec. Pocklington School . . ... Home Lost o 6 Wed. 13th Dec. 'A' XV v. Scarborough College Away Lost o 22

xst Round:

Semi-finals: SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES

Grove beat Rise, 9—a. Manor beat School House, 22-o. Dronfield beat Queen's, II—o.

Grove beat Manor, 8-3. Dronfield and Temple, drew o all. Remainder of competition abandoned.

30