Rugby

The Junior Long Run, 1972

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.

At scrum-half Young, the captain, impressed as a tackler and runner, but Coverdale at fly-half was nagged by a painful back and was not consistent. In his best form he was shrewd and incisive.

Corser at inside-centre produced much formidable power play, while not always recognising a false opening. Warren at outside centre, and the wings Cresswell and Drucquer made the most of limited chances and scored some good tries. Cresswell, always a strong attacking player, made remarkable progress as a defender.

Cooper at full back had been ill before term and it was not until the Ampleforth game that he played to form, after which he developed into an uncompromising defender.

Mention should be made of Bruce, who played more rugger than anyone in the school for 1st, 2nd and Under 16 XVs: a young hard forward potentially as good as any in the side. With Perks and Cresswell he made up a triumvirate from the Under 16s who carry our hopes for the future.

Because of the side's success, the unusual number of eight caps were awarded, which reflects not only on the recipients, but on all the team.

CAPS: Young, Corser, Barnes, Coverdale, Kerruish, Cooper, Sherriff, Atkinson.

COLOURS: Winstanley, Pallant, Perks, Warren, Cresswell, Drucquer, Little.

Cooper, Corser, Young, Kerruish and Barnes played in a Yorkshire Schools Trial. Barnes also played in the final trial, and though he did not make the County side, he was a travelling reserve.

REPORTS OF SCHOOL MATCHES Played 9, Won 6, Lost 3 v. BRADFORD G.S.

St. Peter's lost 14-7 at Bradford G.S. in a hard and even match. St. Peter's took an early lead with a try by Young and a penalty by Kerruish. Bradford overhauled them with two penalties and two tries, one by each of their talented wingers. The young St. Peter's pack worked manfully, but the possession was often slow; as a result, many moves were stifled early. In the centre, Corser was outstanding with his strong running and tackling and Kerruish at wing forward did many good things. v. DENSTONE

St. Peter's lost 24-20 at Denstone. Sound rucking by the St. Peter's pack, in which Atkinson was prominent, gave the centres Corser and Warren the opportunity to score a try apiece after strong runs. The front row of Winstanley, Barnes and Pallant had the reward of hard work with a pushover try touched down by No. 8 Perks. Kerruish converted the try and kicked two penalties.

Young and Coverdale at half back usually controlled the game well, but several lapses of concentration with the wet ball allowed Denstone to score five tries, two converted.

v. ASHVILLE

St. Peter's beat Ashville 15-8 at St. Peter's.

The powerful Ashville pack might have dominated, but the lighter St. Peter's forwards were determined and held them.

Barnes at hooker was outstanding, while Sherriff made several crucial

tackles.

Good play brought two tries for McAvoy on the Ashville left wing. Kerruish replied with three penalties for St. Peter's.

Late in the game, Young broke blind for Coverdale to cut inside and score. Kerruish converted. v. AMPLEFORTH

St. Peter's beat Ampleforth 16-10 at St. Peter's, using hard defence and counter-attack. Ampleforth's talented side had previously amassed 191 points to 42 in school matches.

Cooper, Young, Corser and Kerruish were outstanding for St. Peter's, with Drucquer and Barnes often in support.

The Ampleforth pack, strong and well-drilled, won better possession, but St. Peter's, driven on by the doughty Pallant, refused to crack.

Lintin at scrum half for Ampleforth showed flashes of his inspired running in last season's Yorkshire schools' side. He might have done better passing to very fast outside backs who, as it was, scored twice with slick handling.

Young for St. Peter's ran in a try from half way after an incisive break. Corser crossed for another after a deep kick by Coverdale. Lintin converted one Ampleforth try. Kerruish converted a St. Peter's try and kicked two penalties.

v. GIGGLESWICK

St. Peter's won 20-10 at Giggleswick. After the half term lay-off, St. Peter's attacks were spasmodic, while poor covering revealed a lack of match fitness. However, the tight scrummaging was very powerful. Barnes, strongly propped by Winstanley and Pallant, took nine against the head. Flanker Kerruish again showed his power and speed, while the centres scored three tries with determined running—(Corser 2 and Warren 1). Kerruish kicked two penalties and a conversion. v. DURHAM

St. Peter's beat Durham School 4-0 at Durham, both sides playing with great spirit in difficult conditions.

A layer of snow on the pitch made turning difficult; Durham seized this opportunity to force St. Peter's into mistakes, thus coming much closer than form predicted.

The St. Peter's pack pushed Durham, and scrum-half Young was able to make several breaks. Once he crossed the line but knocked on.

Prop Winstanley scored for St. Peter's by quickly following up a charged-down kick.

At fly-half Coverdale put in some well-placed kicks. and only a good display by the Durham full back prevented scores from these.

19

v. WORKSOP

St. Peter's beat Worksop 14-10 at St. Peter's. Neither side won much possession, so it became a game of breakaway with Kerruish outstanding for St. Peter's.

Sherriff, Corser and Cooper were prominent in a good defence, though Cooper was beaten by a slithering ball for Worksop's try.

Coverdale at fly-half managed to put in a deep kick with the Worksop back row right on him, and Cresswell, who got through much good work, came up fast to score.

Barnes burst through a line-out for the other St. Peter's try. Kerruish kicked two penalties for St. Peter's, to match Worksop's two. v. POCKLINGTON

St. Peter's beat Pocklington School 16-12 at Pocklington, to run up six consecutive victories.

St. Peter's dominated the first half. Cresswell scored on the left wing after a strong run by Corser. Then Corser broke two tackles to score near the posts.

In the second half the powerful Pocklington pack won the better possession but the backs were unable to penetrate the St. Peter's cover, in which Young, Sherriff, Cooper and Kerruish were outstanding.

Kerruish kicked a conversion and two penalties for St. Peter's, while all Pocklington's points came from the left boot of Woodhead (four penalties).

v. LEEDS G.S.

St. Peter's lost to Leeds G.S. 14-0 at St. Peter's, in a game in which Atkinson suffered a broken leg.

The St. Peter's cover, with Cooper and Sherriff outstanding, contained them until close to half-time when quick heels with overlap brought Leeds two tries, one of which was converted.

Atkinson's injury proved too great a handicap for St. Peter's and Leeds scored again in the closing minutes. RESULTS OF OTHER MATCHES v. Harrogate Colts. Won 28-0. v. Headingley Wanderers. Lost 10-27. v. Old Peterites. Lost 6-26. SECOND XV

The Seconds won only two out of 10, often capitulating to an opponent's reputation. There were injuries, and the team never settled. Congratulations to Lucas, who won the McGrath-Morris trophy the most improved player in the school. for

Team: Beall, Lucas*, Wilkinson*, Bidgood, Lightowler*, Schmidt*, Ford* (rapt.), Hodges, Kirby*, Johnston, Ramsden, Penty, Ray, Gooder*, Wishart * Colours.

Bloom had the misfortune to break an arm early on. 20

THIRD XV

The thirds won four and lost four. Their finest hour was when they overhauled Scarborough College 2nd XV away from home to win 22-13. It was a fairly creditable season, with Harben, Buckman and C. M. Atkinson outstanding.

UNDER 16 XV

This has been a talented and well-balanced side right up the school, despite contributing two or three players to the year ahead. At their best they won plenty of possession and had the runners to exploit it.

There will be some competition for 1st XV places next season!

Team from: Cresswell, Perks, Bruce, McCarter, Janes, Pinder, Baggs, Scott, Elwen, Berry, Clayburn, Beulah, Heddle, Eddell, Millikin, Stephenson, Ward, Foley, Cossins, Spencer R. M., Harland.

UNDER-15 XV

This side has been under-rated: it plays well as a team and has had some good wins. The defence has sometimes been suspect and the most urgent lesson is how to consolidate when off form.

Team from : Barton, Monro, Turner, Sherratt, Gray (capt.), Hodgson, Phillips, Potter, Pulleyn, Harrison, Smith, Hudson, Ellison, Tighe, Holden, Barnett, Coates-Walker, Neale, Newdick.

UNDER-14 XV

This side produced some sophisticated play but there was danger of it being a veneer over inadequate basics. In the Easter term there was marked progress, partly from new blood, partly from hard work.

Team from: Temple, Kay, Parkinson, Kirby, Atkinson, Barrett, Hughes (capt.), Harland, Newdick, Graham, Bruce-Jones, Turner (A.), Egleton, Haw, Knowles, Turner (J.), Thomas.

J.P.R.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS 1st XV

Sat. 18th Sept. Headingley R.U.F.C. Eaglets XV (home) Result F. A. Cancelled

Sat. 25th Sept. Harrogate R.U.F.C. Colts (home) Won 28 0 4 Wed. 29th Sept. Headingley Wanderers XV (home) Lost 10 27

Sat. 9th Oct. Bradford G.S. (away) ... ••• Lost 7 14

Sat. 16th Oct. Denstone College (away) •• • Lost 20 24

Wed. 20th Oct. Ashville College (home) •.• Won 15 8

Sat. 6th Nov. Giggleswick School (away) • • • ••• Won 20 10

Sat. 13th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) •.• Won 16 10

Sat. 20th Nov. Durham School (away) ••.: .Won 4 0

Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (home) ••• Won 14 10

Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ••• Won 16 12

Wed. 8th Dec. Old Peterites (home) ... •• • Lost 6 26

Sat. 11th Dec. Leeds G.S. (home) •• • Lost 0 14

2nd XV Wed. 6th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School (away) ... Sat. 9th Oct. Bradford G.S. (away) ... Sat. 16th Oct. Durham School (home) Wed. 20th Oct. Ashville College (away) Sat. 6th Nov. Giggleswick School (home) Sat. 13th Nov. Ampleforth College (away) Wed. 24th Nov. Scarborough College 1st XV (away) ... Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (home) ... Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (away) Sat. 1 lth Dec. Leeds G.S. (home) ... 3rd XV Wed. 6th Oct. Woodhouse Grove School (away) ... Sat. 9th Oct. Barnard Castle School (home) Sat. 16th Oct. Durham School (home) Wed. 20th Oct. Ashville College (home) ... Sat. 6th Nov. Giggleswick School (away) ... Sat. 13th Nov. Ampleforth College (away) ... Wed. 24th Nov. Scarborough College 2nd XV (away) ... Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (home) ... Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (home) ...

Under 16 Colts XV Sat. 16th Oct. Barnard Castle School (away) Wed. 20th Oct. Ashville College (home) Wed. 10th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) ••• Wed. 24th Nov. Durham School (away) ... Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (away) Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (home) •••

Under 15 Colts XV Wed. 6th Oct. Scarborough College (home) ... Sat. 16th Oct. Barnard Castle School (away) ... Wed. 20th Oct. Ashville College (away) Sat. 6th Nov. Giggleswick School (home) ••• Wed. 10th Nov. Ampleforth College (home) ••• Wed. 24th Nov. Durham School (away) ... Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (away) Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (away) ... Sat. 1 1th Dec. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (home)

Under 14 Colts XV Wed. 6th Oct. Scarborough College (home) ...

Sat. 9th Oct. Barnard Castle School (home) ...

Sat. 6th Nov. Archbishop Holgate's G.S. (home) Sat. 27th Nov. Worksop College (away) Sat. 4th Dec. Pocklington School (home) Sat. I Ith Dec. Ashville College (away) Won 18 Lost 0 Won 40 Lost 9 Lost 4 Lost 9 Lost 3 Lost 4 Lost 19 Lost 3

Won 18 Lost 4 Cancelled Won 40 Lost 0 Lost 0 Won 22 Lost 0 Won 30

Won 34 Won 20 Won 28 Cancelled Lost 0 Lost 3

Won 22 Lost 8 Won 18 Won 22 Lost 8 Cancelled Lost 10 Lost 0 Lost 0

Won 14 Won 18 Lost 0 Won 18 Lost 8 Lost 4

SENIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round: Queen's beat Rise, 26-3. Grove beat School House, 34-0. Dronfield beat Temple, 30-0. Semi-Finals: Queen's beat Manor, 13-3. Dronfield beat Grove, 13-4. Final: Queen's beat Dronfield, 16-4.

JUNIOR HOUSE MATCHES 1st Round : Manor beat Temple, 22-0. Queen's beat Dronfield, 72-0. School House beat Grove, 6-4. Semi-Finals: Manor beat School House, 8-4. Queen's beat Rise, 20-10. Final: Queen's beat Manor, 19-6.

The following played for the Old Peterites v. The School on Wednesday, December 8th :—

J. A. Bygate (Queen's '54-'59), J. R. Wood (Queen's '62-'67), J. A. Eatough (Rise '60-'65), B. D. Shearsmith (School House '54-'59), H. L. Wood (Manor '62-'66), D. J. Emsley (Grove '62-'67), D. Pollard (Grove '65-'70), D. 0. Jenkins (Grove '63-'69), R. R. Baldwin (Capt.) (Rise '53-'58), A. S. Carr (Temple '63'67), A. N. Lawrence (School House '66-'71), K. H. Sargeant (School House '67-'70), R. J. Carson (Grove '68-'71), J. D. Lovell (Queen's '65-'70), J. E. Dickinson (Queen's '63-'68).

SCHOOL RUGBY TEAMS

1st XV

A. H. W. Cooper*; J. E. Cresswell, S. J. Warren, A. Corser*• M. H. Drucquer; S. P. Coverdale*; R. T. S. Young* (Capt.); C. D. Pallant, N. Barnes*; P. A. Winstanley, D. P. Atkinson*; A. G. B. Perks, R. N. Kerruish*; R. W. Little, A. G. Sherriff*. *—Caps. 2nd XV

C. H. Beall; J. P. G. Lucas*, P. R. Wilkinson*, M. S. Bidgood, J. C. P. N. Lightowler*; G. Schmidt*, S. W. F. Ford* (Capt.); S. M. Hodges, S. G. D. Kirby*, P. B. Johnston, P. A. Ramsden, A. D. Penty, M. S. Ray, P. R. Gooder*, N. R. Wishart. *—Colours

3rd XV

No team selection. Players were drafted from any eligible source, often in emergency, which proved a less successful state of affairs than in previous seasons.

Under 16 Colts XV

K. D. J. McCarter*; R. M. Spencer, C. F. Baggs*, P. N. Jones, N. C. Foley; R. A. Pinder*, R. A. Elwen* (Capt.); M. S. Bruce*, R. R. R. Clayburn*, M. W. Berry*, A. R. 0. Heddle*, D. J. R. Eddell*, I. W. Stephenson*, T. J. Ward*, R. D. Millikin*.

Also played: P. A. Scott, C. R. Beaulah, R. M. Harland. *—Colours.