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

Page 21 text:

Attacking strongly from the opening whistle the School for some time kept Brentwood on the defensive. Cupples, on the School left wing where most of the play took place, was well held by keen tackling while on the other wing the only real opportunity was lost when Thorne gave Williainis a shocking pass which was quite ex' cusably dropped. Brentwood then attacked but their outsides could not match the Schools in thrust and ground was gained by forward rushes, and by good kicking by their outside half. As the half wore on the School again threatened and Brentwood were fortunate to find their full back in such splendid form: his keen tackling and timely kicking were invaluable. There was no score at half time. Very shortly after the restart, following a scrum on the half' way line, Duke cut through the centre splendidly and Thorne. taking his perfectly judged pass, outpaced the opposition to score the only try of the game. Duke failed to convert from an easy angle. Both sides continued to play keen football. On one occasion Gibbs saved the School when he forced a Brentwood player into touch near the School line, and at the other end Cupples stumbled and fell after being partially stopped and with the line at his mercy had he kept his footing. Brentwood were awarded a free kick late in the game but though the position was a favourable one the at' tempt failed and the School won 3fO. The whole scrum performed well and fully held their heavier opponents. North, Corry, Patterson and Taylor were the most promf inent and Cockeram gave an encouraging display on his first ap' pearance. The backs also performed creditably and were superior to their opposite numbers, especially in attack. Both Cupples and Wil' liams showed improved defence, Thorne and Duke were enterprising in attack. Winslow' and Gibbs were quite sound, while Mercer was energetic to a degree and served his outsides splendidly. 10.1 SCHOOL vs. VICTORIA OAK BAY HIGH SCHOOL REPS This game was played at Victoria High School as a practice for the Victoria and Oak Bay High School Representative team prior to their game against the Representative High School team from V anf couver. The School were greatly outweighed both forward and behind the scrum but from the start played with spirit and after a short period in their own twentyffive succeeded in opening the scoring. North gathered a loose ball and after selling the dummy passed to Cupples who took advantage of a badly placed defence and gave Creery a clear forty yard run for a try. Duke failed to convert. hlg.

Page 20 text:

After half time the High School played up well and had a fair share of the game. Their backs however, lacked cohesion and finish, and though unfortunate once or twice failed to profit by the chances given them by their forwards. The School backs muddled badly and the forwards became very ragged. The final score came when North, gaining possession of a loose ball, founght his way over for a well' earned try which Duke converted from a very difficult angle. North was once again the pick of the forwards, while Thorne was full of energy, both in attack and defence and easily the best of the outsides. 10.1 SCHOOL vs. SHAWNIGAN LAKE SCHOOL Shawnigan were at home to the School XV and a most interf esting game was in prospect. Such promise was not realized however, and the game, while by no means spiritless, nevertheless lacked that keenness that characterizes matches between the Schools. After some very even play Shawnigan, largely through their forwards, drove the School into their own twentyffive and finally obtained an unconverted try on the left wing. The School then ralf lied and for the remainder of the half fully held their own but at no time threatened dangerously. The game livened up somewhat after the restart and Thorne, the School captain, was extremely prominent both in attack and def fence. He received fair support from Duke but the rest of the out' sides were not impressive. For Shawnigan Fleck was outstanding, his defensive kicking and his tackling being of a high order. Terri' torially the School had a considerable advantage and kept play in the Shawnigan half most of the time. They lacked finish, however, and although Thorne was always a real threat they met with no sucf cess. ,lust before the end a wild pass by Williams gave Fleck an opportunity and picking up the loose ball he ran in to score easily. The try was converted and Shawnigan won 8fO. The forwards held their own in the second half but were far below form. Gibbs, at full back, performed creditably for one so young and lacking in stature, but Thorne alone did himself justice, and with Fleck, the opposing captain, saved the game from mediof crity. io-.. SCHOOL vs. BRENTWOOD COLLEGE This game was played at home and the large crowd witnessed a splendid exhibition by both teams. The School won by the only try scored.

Page 22 text:

The combined High Schools soon put themselves on even terms when some rather indecisive tackling in the centre resulted in a try on the left wing. A little later a similar mistake in the School centre resulted in a second try, this time on the right wing. Neither try was converted. After half time the advantage was definitely with the High Schools' team but their forwards lacked intelligence, and their backs failing to show anything constructive, the School were able to pref vent any further score, the combined High Schools winning 6f3. The School forwards led by North and Patterson played hard throughout and gave a good display against a faster and heavier pack. Behind the scrum Mercer was very active while .Creery and Duke performed creditably, especially in defence. iol SCHOOL vs. CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGT. Gnd BATTQ The match was played at the School and the opposition, conf taining two Old Boys, J. T. Bryden and D. Boyd, was Captained by Colonel R. G. L. Parker who played a fine game at scrum half. Though considerably outweighed the School had the better of the game for some time but the insides, Duke and Cupples, played very badly and it was not until well on in the half that Leslie scored for the School on the left wing. Duke failed to convert. The Scottish then pressed and almost immediately drew level a try being scored on the left wing. This was followed by a nice movement on the right wing which resulted in a try close to the posts. Neither try was converted. The School fonvards controlled the scrums after half time but with the backs continuing to display shocking form the Scottish were able to hold their own. Towards the end some nice passing by Cup' ples and Willianis sent Cupples in between the posts but upon being tackled on the line he lost possession and a certain try was lost. No further score resulted and the School lost a game, which they should have won easily, by the odd try in three. The forwards worked hard and more than did their part and the School failure must be laid at the door of the backs who, with the exception of Mercer, were extremely disappointing. Ari. SCHOOL vs. BRENTWOOD COLLEGE This, the third meeting of the two schools this season was played at Brentwood and won by them 13fO. -30-