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

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All the Old Boys' backs played open and intelligent football, and gave a most pleasing display. They were well looked after by their scrum half Featherstone who was one of the best men on the field. The Old Boys scrum, though disorganized at times and too slow to form, gave the backs ample opportunity. H. G. Cornwall was outstanding but one and all played spirited football. The School backs were outclassed. The halves played fairly well, but the threefquarters with the exception of Hicks, who tackled with resolution, did not have a good day. Thorne at full back was weak. The forwards had a definite advantage in the set scrums but were no match for their opponents in the loose. . The Vancouver Old Boys were assisted by D. H. Murray and A. B. Miller, two Victoria Old Boys, and the full team was as follows: P. C. Townsend K. Featherstone R. K. Mercer W. S. Leggat fCapt.j, A. W. Mercer, A. L. Field, N. P. Hager H. G. Cornwall, D. H. Massy, D. G. Worthington, A. Pollock, F. G. Skillings, A. B. Miller, R. E. Gook J. Carlyle MOM SCHOOL vs. VICTORIA COLLEGE and WANDERERS The School closed the season on their own ground with a game against a team composed of eight Victoria College and seven Wanderers players. Throughout the first half the game was very even, the School playing more polished football but being held in check by the keen tackling of the opposition's outsides. One good try was scored how' ever, Hicks crossing at the flag and scoring between the posts for Sproule to convert. The loose play of the opposition was very good and their forwards were always dangerous with the ball at their feet. Just before half time the School conceded a forward try which was not converted and at the change over led 5f3. After the resumption the School had a considerable territorial advantage and even after Sproule had missed badly with an easy penalty they still had the game well in hand. just before nofside however a fatal indecision on the part of Hicks enabled a fast for' ward to kick ahead a dribble over for the winning try which was not converted. On the play the School hardly deserved a 65 defeat, but several good openings were not taken and the inability of the School pack to match their opponents in the loose was the deciding factor.

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close marking and keen tackling, kept the School outsides very quiet. A penalty against the School gave the University their first points and before the end they had scored twice, neither try being converted. There was no further score and the School won 16f9. The School backs seemed to lack an effective reply to the spoilf ing tactics of the opposition but showed flashes of form. Hicks was outstanding although Craig put in an astonishing amount of work and Mercer performed very creditably at scrum half. The forwards did well in the line out and generally held their own although the packing in the loose was not good. Gillespie worked hard and was unlucky in not being credited with what appeared to be a legitimate try. A fair crowd of Old Boys were on hand to witness the game and later in the evening the School team was entertained by them at a banquet at the Shaughnessy Golf Club. ...OM SCHOOL vs. OLD BOYS QVANCOUVERJ An exceptionally strong Old Boys side from Vancouver visited the School on March 11th and defeated the School side easily, 26f3. Exerting pressure from the opening whistle the Old Boys with the Mercer brothers, Leggat, Field and N. Hayer in the three' quarter line kept the School very busy in,defence. Some vigorous running and wellftimed passing was seen and it was not long before Hager took a pass from Field and crossed at the flag only to be held up before he could ground the ball. A little later Hicks saved the School when he stopped Leggat with a fine tackle, but persistent attack had its reward and Allan Mercer opened the scoring after some nice passing among the backs. He converted his own try. Conf tinuing to display fine form the Old Boys threefquarters, splendidly served by K. Featherstone at scrum half, gave the School a lesson in straight running and timely passing and before half time had scored twice through Field, Allan Mercer goaling on one occasion. After half time the School had much more of the game but the Old Boys tackling was keen and progress was difficult. Craig was all but over on one occasion but a grand tackle saved the Old Boys. After some ten minutes play a scrum was ordered on the Old Boys' line, Gillespie called for a concerted push and the scrum took the ball over, Sproule who had lent his support, being credited with the try which he failed to improve. Shortly after this a grand move' ment in which the Mercers and Leggat were prominent saw Leggat in a characteristic dash down the wing which resulted in a try between the posts. Allan Mercer added the extra points. The next try came when Everett was late in clearing in his own twentyffive and D. Worthington, who played well throughout, blocked his kick enabling A. Pollock to burst through and score a well merited try. Allan Mercer goaled for the fourth time. The final try was scored just on time, another good movement among the backs result' ing in a try by Allan Mercer which Leggat failed to improve.

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CHARACTERS OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN . SPROULE. fCaptainJ. Played this year as a centre three'quarter where his sound knowledge of the game, timely passing, and invariably unselfish play was of inestimable worth. Very fair in defence and improved greatly as a place kicker. Captained the side with enthusiasm and set a splen' did example in every way. GILLESPIE. QVicefCaptainj. A robust and intelligent forward who led the pack with dash and enthusiasm. Filled the hook position in the scrum with success, good in the loose and excellent in the line out. His play throughout the season merits the highest praise, seldom have School forwards been as well led. CRAIG. fOutside Halfj. Invaluable in attack, he did his best to keep the game open and was also a very real threat in himself. Rather deficient as far as tackling was concerned but partly remedied this by exception- ally close marking. An extremely effective, though not polished, player, he possessed tremendous spirit and stamina, and loved football. THORNE. fWing Threefquarterj. Combined well and was a most effective finisher, his burst of speed and well used handfoff bringing him many a try. Although he defended well on occasion his tackling could never be described as sure and in addition his kicking was very weak. EVERETT. fCentre Three-quarterj. Determined and thrustful in attack but apt to hold on too long and to go down with the ball. In defence he did many good things but proved very variable, the side at times paying dearly for his mistakes near his own line. A useful kick and filled his position with considerable success. HICKS. fWing Threefquarterj. Greatly improved in attack being faster and more thrustful than formerly. In defence his keen tackling and timely kicking were invaluable. Keen to a degree and had a splendid season. MERCER. QScrum Halfl. As a connecting link between the scrum and the outsides he played his part splendidly and was invariably most unself fish. His tackling and kicking must be improved. Keen, vigorous, courf ageous and a player of real promise. THOMSON. fFull Backj. His tackling is poor and his kicking too un' certain for him to fill this position adequately. However he handled ncely, did well in face of forward rushes and ran with determination when occasion arose. A much improved player. TAYLOR. A very courageous and hard working back row forward Who, despite lack of weight, more than did his share in every phase of for' ward play. A good tackle and never hesitated to fall on the ball. Both his handling and his kicking are very weak. NORMAN. A front row forward who improved considerably this year. Rather awkward in the loose but fair in the set scrum and good in the line out. GREEN. Another front row man. Fast and rugged, he did well in the tight scrum but was handicapped by lack of experience. PATTERSON. A very hard working forward who excelled in the loose. Rather inexperienced but improved rapidly and at the end of the season was one of the most useful members of the pack. DRAKE. Never brilliant but an honest worker. Played in the second row where his push was well used. Rather weak in the loose and the line out. MacKENZIE. Another new forward who tackled quite well and was prom- inent in the line out. He has the makings of a very useful player. MacKAY. A most promising player who was seen both as a forward and a wing threefquarter. He has good hands, can tackle, and his kicking has greatly improved.