The Junior Long Run, 1972
RUGBY FIRST XV For the 1st XV it was to be a year of rebuilding: six veterans and the rest with all to learn. Gradually, however, as the spirit grew, we aU knew we had a team that would be hard to beat. After narrow defeats in our first two school matches, our defence tightened up and became something to be proud of. We won the next six in a row before losing the last. For the O.P. match we were without three capped players—hooker, ,fly-half and centre—so were unable to produce our best attacks. However, 0-there was no quarter and the O.P.s were rather flattered to win 26-6. The props Winstanley and Pallant were strong, and Barnes was a successful hooker, prominent in the loose. The second row of Atkinson and Perks made up in tenacity for lack of weight and inches. Atkinson, unfortunately, broke a leg in the last game, charging bravely for the line. In the back row. Kerruish had a flair for positioning himself to continue the momentum of play, and was successful as a place kicker. Little came into the side as a coverer and Sherriff more than confirmed his reputation as a last-ditch defender. 17
