St Johns Ravenscourt School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 37 text:

S.J.R. vs. ST. JAMES Down twelve points in the second game of a two game total point series, and with five losses behind us, Mr. Bredin fielded the best team possible. The team was unable to keep up the drive it started with, and although we moved the ball consistently, we could not score. St. James took the lead in the first quarter with two uncon¬ verted touchdowns, adding a converted T.D. in the second quarter. S.J.R. fought hard in the second half but could only gain a single point on a good punt by Lamb. St. James scored once more before the end of the third quarter to make the score 25-1. With no scoring in the last quarter, that’s how the game went to St. James. While this last quarter seemed the best for our defense, the offense just couldn’t click. S.J.R. vs. GRANT PARK To get more practice before the important games with St. James, Mr. Bredin arranged for a game with Grant Park. Rick Matthews opened the scoring when he crashed over the goal-line from the three-yard line, in the first quarter. The touchdown was converted by a pass Moncrieff to Hartley, who ran in from the ten-yard line. Grant Park scored their only touchdown of the first half on a long pass play. The half ended with a punt for a single by Craig Lamb, making the score 8-7 for us. There was no further scoring until the fourth quarter when Grant Park faked a punt on their third down and ran in for a touchdown. Late in the quarter, Moncrieff completed a 25-yard pass to Sam Freed, for a touchdown. However, Monty missed the convert, and the game was tied 14-14. On the very last play of the game, the Grant Park quarterba ck passed to his halfback, who managed to kick for a single point, and ended the game in a 15-14 victory for Grant Park. S.J.R. vs. PORTAGE This time the seniors thought they were ready for Portage, but when the game got started, it soon became evident that they weren’t. Portage capitalized on a fumble in the first quarter for a converted touchdown and had two more T.D.’s, one converted, before the half was over. Still spirited, and ready to go after half-time, the de¬ fense set to work to stop further scoring. This toughening up of the defense showed point-wise, for the Portage team managed to eke out only one converted touchdown in this half. However, our own offense still couldn’t score and Portage took the game 27-0. 33

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COACH’S REPORT Defensively, using the top eighteen players, the ’64 squad was as capable as any the school has fielded. Offensively the team was limited; mainly it lacked driving, accelerating backfielders. A passing attack existed in name only; the end run, unlike previous years, was relatively ineffective, likely be¬ cause of poor fakes, and definitely because of un¬ fulfilled blocking and failing to head upheld, but the guards, tackles, and plunging backs gave the team its consistent gains. However, three accidents and injuries did pre¬ vent the “green Machine” from showing a Very definite seasonal improvement. The key game was against St. James on the Fathers’ and Sons’ Week¬ end. The loss of two prime plunging backs just before the opening whistle and of a third within five minutes of starting shattered a carefully practised offense. Every rugby season has its compensations, and in ’64 practice weather was gorgeously warm and sunny; there were more players than ever before to keep busy, and tougher problems to struggle with. But the deepest impression is of a remark¬ ably co-operative, team-centered group, a com¬ munity of players. S.J.R. vs. ST JAMES Although regular league play between S.J.R. and St. James until late in the season, an exhibi¬ tion game was arranged so that the two teams could gain experience against each other. The first half of the games consisted of hard-hitting defen¬ sive play with no scoring. Early in the second half, however, St. James received our kick-off and went down the field in six plays for a touchdown. Their convert attempt was blocked. S.J.R., not to be outdone, received the St. James kick-off and marched down the field. Craig Lamb ended the drive with an end run, carrying the ball over the St. James 25-yard line. The convert attempt went wide, and the game was tied, 6-6. The game re¬ mained tied until late in the fourth quarter when St. James kicked for a single, and the game ended in a disappointing 7-6 victory for them. S.J.R. vs. PORTAGE Portage started things off with a sustained drive from midfield, which gave them an unconverted touchdown, the second time they got the ball. The rest of the half was a well-matched battle and ended with S.J.R. holding Portage on a first down at the six-yard line. S.J.R. came back strong after the half, and controlled the ball for most of the third quarter, but was unable to score. The fourth quarter was fairly even although Portage made a 70-yard drive which ended in a converted touchdown to add to their score. The game ended 13-0 for Portage. 32

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Back Row: Mr. Stemshorn, Fudge, Stethem, McKelvie, McEwen, Kiddell, Little, Leatherdale, McGee, Williams, Mr. Wellard. Middle Row: Davis, Semans, Jackman, Diamond, McCaskill, Read, Ander¬ son, Lederman, Gall, Vinsky. Front Row: Riley, Mackay, Cox, Trew, Sprague, Ramsay, Simmons, Kilgour, Kelly. Holding Ball: Merrihew, Young. This year’s team sometimes displayed itself as the best team in its league and sometimes the worst. Inconsistency and other factors gave it a disappointing sixth place in an eight-team league. There was a lack of leadership, but mostly there were too few boys playing too much football and as a result we were not known as a “second-half” team. The season began with a rousing game against Fort Garry, our last year’s conquerors, and with a little more experience and some breaks we might have won. Although we lost 13-0 we fought hard and several Fort Garry players had to be helped off the field. Even after this we expected no lower than second place, and we managed to beat St. Boniface 7-6 even though five of our touchdowns were called back. Then the incon¬ sistency began to show. We lost to Transcona 12-8 in the last minute after leading them 8-0 and on the Thanksgiving Weekend we beat Weston and Champlain 25-0 and 33-12 respectively. We played a poor game against the league champs, North Kildonan, losing 30-0. In the last game, all our frustrations of the year came to a head when we lost to St. Vital, 25-12. After this we lost our “fight” as well as several of our regular players and Weston beat us easily in the consolations. We thank Mr. Wellard and Mr. Stemshorn for their coaching. Stand-outs during the season were Gall, Read, Trew, Cox, McCallum, Williams, Young and Lederman. 34