St Michaels University School - Black Red and Blue Yearbook (Victoria, British Columbia Canada)

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goal and then outplayed and outlasted a really good team playing on their own ground and won out in the closing minutes five points to the good. One and all played magnificently, and while the actual scoring fell, for the most part to the backs, to the forwards, who had sub' dued the opposing pack and fought so successfully for possession, must go the major credit. -iovi SCHOOL vs. BRENTWOOD COLLEGE The School, playing at home, were superior in all departments, and won 24fO. Some very even rugby took place for a short time but it was soon evident that the School forwards were too strong and energetic for their opponents, and before half time Huff, splendidly fed by Field, had scored three tries none of which were converted. The School had had a definite superiority in every phase of forward play and the hacks had showed to advantage, despite a slippery ball and a wet field. After the restart the forwards maintained their hold on the game and gave the backs almost constant possession. Field scored twice and in addition made a nice opening for Hicks to cross at the flag, and Huff went through the centre for his fourth try, It was left to Collings however to score the prettiest try of the year: after Sproule, Craig, Field and Huff had handled, Thorne transfer' red to Collings on the wing, came up to take a return pass, and then, with support on either side chose to hand out again to Collings who crossed at the flag. Huff had a wretched day with his place kicking not one try being goaled. The School had however given a very pleasing display under adverse ground conditions, the forwards playing bustling and intelligent football, and the backs combining well and running hard into their passes. iw SCHOOL vs. LORD BYNC HIGH SCHOOL fVancouverj On the last Satvrday in January the School journeyed to Van' couver where they lost 3f8 to Lord Byng .High School, undefeated High School championsg on the new University of British Columbia ground. The School opened in deplorable fashion. The handling was faulty, the tackling irresolute, and the play generally lethargic to a degree. By the time they had recovered they were eight points down,,a penalty in front of goal, and a goal being scored, the lat' ter being the direct result of an atrocious pass by Huff which was gathered by an alert opposition, Field having no chance to avert the try. Following this Craig cut through splendidly and kicked over --ii

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The game opened at a rare pace and almost immediately the School threatened dangerously, but after a few minutes Shawnigan started a fine movement in their own twentyffive which resulted in a beautiful try by their left wing who crossed at the flag and touched down between the posts. The goal was kicked. The School then worked the ball to the Shawnigan line where Massy forced himself over for a try which Collings failed to improve. Almost immediately after this Craig, the School outside half, was badly hurt and was taken from the field for the remainder of the game. This accident occurred after about twenty minutes play and was followed five minutes later by a second serious loss when McGregor, a centre, was injured and left the field for good. The School then played withlgreat spirit for the remainder of the half, but were forced to concede another try xx hich was not conf verted, and Shawnigan led 8f3. After the breather the School, five points down and with two of their most prominent players definitely unable to return to the game. then gave what must surely be one of the most magnificent displays of keen and courageous football in the history of Univerf sity School. The forwards, who had hitherto only held their own, now played with desperate keenness, and began to attain the definite ascendancy that they maintained to the end. Rushing play to the Shawnigan line the School were awarded a penalty very close to the goal line but too far out for a shot at goal. Field punted ahead from the penalty, and Hicks following up closely, gathered, and forced himself over for a try which Collings failed to improve. Shortly after this Shawnigan went seven points ahead when Day, a centre, thrust himself through the middle, and beating Everett with a clever change of pace scored between the posts . The kick at goal was sucf cessful. Some very even play took place following Day's try, but fin' ally desperately keen forward play took the ball into the Shawnigan twentyffive and Field, taking a pass from Sproule, the scrum half, ran through the centre to score a try which Huff failed to goal. The School were now four points down but a little later drew level when the ball came out to Hicks from a tight scrum. He was fav' ourably placed twentyffive yards out and dead in front, and drop' ped a splendid goal. But little time remained and amid intense excitement the School forwards gradually drove Shawnigan back. A tight scrum took place just inside the Shawnigan twentyffive and the ball came out to Huff who dodged through to score what proved to be the win' ning try. He converted his own try. In the closing minutes the Shawnigan left wing made an electrifying dash but Field came from nowhere with a desperate tackle to check him, and Hicks came up to complete the tackle which saved a certain try. The School had achieved the impossible. Five points down at half time and without two valuable men, they gave away another ,13-

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the full back's head, but although Jones was in support the race for the ball was lost. The School gradually improved but the backs were too passive and faulty tackling gave them many an anxious moment. Lord Byng led 810 at the interval. After the restart the School attacked strongly, the forwards being definitely superior to their opponents in the set scrums and heeling well from the loose. The backs however were too stereotyped, and with the exception of McGregor lacked thrust. The School line was seldom in danger but Chapman of Byng made two splenf did efforts from penalties far out. As time wore on the School had more of the game and in the dying moments pressed strongly. Their only success however came just before the end when Huff made no mistake with a penalty. The School though finishing stronger than their opponents were definitely below form, extremely nervous, and deservedly beaten by a team vho were faster on the ball in the loose and successful in turning to their advantage the Schoolis bad lapses in the first fatal ten minutes. The game was a most enjoyable- one and admirably handled by Mr. Gaultier. iw SCHOOL vs. VICTORIA COLLEGE This, an Intermediate League fixture was played at MacDonald Park and lost 14f3. Playing against the slope and a terrific wind the School did very well during the first half and at the change over were only behind 35. Poor tackling was responsible for the College try which was well goaled. In reply to this Huff was successful with a pen' alty kick from dead in front. The wind had made things extremely difficult for the backs who had however given a fair display. The forwards had played with dash and fully held their own. After the restart the forwards seemed to weaken with the ref sult that the backs seldom had possession and the opportunity to use the wind. In addition there was some very faulty marking and tackling in the centre which resulted in two tries being scored. An infringement in front of goal resulted in a penalty which was turned to account: this completed the scoring. Field came into the threefquarter line from his position at full back and did his best to develop an effective attack but with the forwards beaten, especially in the loose, the School were definitely on the defensive and deservedly beaten. The failure of the forwards, who missed Boate badly, was un' looked for after their good opening. The backs were shaky in def fence and were seldom together in attack. Field, Thorne Craig, Sproule and Massy played very hard. -15-