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

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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-

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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.

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For some time after the opening whistle play was very even but the Brentwood forwards were having somewhat the better of the linefouts and loose scrums and their backs were given more opporf tunities. The first try came after twenty minutes play, the Brent' wood left wing scoring at the flag. This try was due to faulty posif tioning by the School centres. It was not converted. Continuing to press Brentwood went further ahead when some good play by one of their centres resulted in a try on the right wing. The goal was kicked. The School then rallied and threatened serf iously. On one occasion North started an excellent movement which saw Duke go through the centre only to have his scoring pass to Cupples go astray. A little later Corry was quite unnecessarily caught in possession when a pass to Leslie would have produced a try, and at half time the School were eight points down. Throughout the half Duke had been splendid in defence and Gibbs also had per' formed most creditably. The School forwards fully held their own during the second half, but the backs were not happy and missed Thorne sadly. Hesif tant tackling by the School was responsible for the final try which was scored near the posts and converted. just before the end the School threw away a certain try when, following a long dribble in which Mercer took a leading part, the ball came out to Cupples. The Brentwood defence was badly placed but instead of continuing the movement to the uncovered wing an abortive attempt was made to drop a goal. The forwards played hard and Corry's tackling was splendid. The backs were far from impressive in attack and with the exception of Duke, Gibbs, and at times Leslie, most uncertain in defence. lol scHooL vs. J.B.A.A. The School visited MacDonald Park for this fixture which was won by the Bays by a goal and two tries Q11 points, to two tries Q6 pointsj. The School opened strongly controlling the set scrums and hold' ing their own in the linefout, but the backs did not impress and, with the exception of Duke lacked dash and resource. They were the first to score, however, Duke making ground and following his tackle near the line Williams picked up a loose ball and fell over between the posts. Duke failed to convert. The Bays then rallied and for the remainder of the half had their share of the game. They scored two tries, both directly attributable to bad tackling by the School. One try was converted and the School were five points down at half time.