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

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After the restart the School, particularly the forwards, played better football. The backs, however, were still uncertain in defence and in attack lacked thrust. Mercer, who played hard throughout, reduced the Schools deficit when he dodged through his own for' wards after a scrum near the Bays line and scored a try which Duke failed to improve. A little later Mercer got clear away but was too slow to reach the line himself and the 'chance was lost. just on time the Bays scored a converted try and won 11'6 after display' ing robust and aggressive methods. .-.0... SCHQQL vs. VANCOUVER QLD BQYS Under perfect weather and ground conditions the School defeated the Vancouver Qld Boys on the University of British Columbia's grounds by two goals, a penalty goal, and two tries Q19 points, to a goal Q5 pointsj. The Qld Boys were one short at the start but for some time play was' very even. The School opened the scoring however through Corry who dribbled over the Qld Boys' line following a loose scrum. Duke goaled. A little later the School went further ahead when Vxfinslow, going around the blind side, was unaccountably not tack' led, and upon reaching the full back he gave to Mercer who was in support and who scored easily. Duke again added the extra points. The Qld Boys then had their turn and only a good tackle by Qorry saved a try when Leggat was in the clear. A little later, however, good work by Allen, the Mercer brothers and Leggat resulted in a try by the last mentioned which Teagle turned into a goal. just be' fore half time the Qld Boys scrum half, K. Featherstone, had the misfortune to fall awkwardly breaking his collar bone. A substitute was procured and the Qld Boys began the second half at full strength. The School increased their lead shortly after the restart when Qupples, following up fast, gathered cleanly when the ball eluded the Qld Boys' full back, and scored near the posts. Duke failed to convert, but a little later had better luck with a penalty given against the Qld Boys for feet up in the scrum. Mercer, who played well throught, all but added to the Schools total when he sneaked over from a set scrum near the line, but he was held up and no try resulted. The Qld Boys looked dangerous several times and on one occaf sion should certainly have scored when K. Mercer made a good opening for Hicks, who chose to pass inside to one much less favf ourably placed than himself, and the chance was lost. just on time bad marking by the Qld Boys enabled Winslow to go around the blind side again to make an opening for Williams who scored what proved to be the final try. Duke failed to convert and the School won deservedly 195.

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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.

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' The Old Boys were a strong team, particularly behind the scrum, but they never looked happy and used their chances badly. They had far more of the game than the score would indicate, how' ever, and apart from the regrettable accident to Featherstone, the game was an unqualified success. The following represented the Old Boys: R. K. Mercer K. Featherstone W. J. S. Sproule W. S. Leggat, P. K. Allen, A. W. Mercer, E. E. Teagle, A. H. Hicks A. Galloway, C. Connolly, E. S. Ditmars A. Pollock, R. E. Cook, E. P. Harland, W. O'Neil. CHARACTERS OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN THORNE QCaptainj. A thrustful centre with weight, speed and determina' tion. A very weak kick but a good running tackle. A keen and en' thusiastic captain his loss, half way through the season, to a young and inexperienced team, was irreparable. MERCER fVicefCaptainj. Had a good season at the base of the scrum. Vv'hile his tackling is still definitely lacking in keenness he never hesif tates to go down on the ball when necessary, and his defensive kicking has improved. Unselfish in attack, does his best to keep the game open, and is becoming increasingly dangerous himself especially near the op' ponent's line. TAYLOR. An excellent back row forward who always gave of his best. Persistent in attack but shows more in defence where his tackling and willingness to fall on the ball were invaluable. PATTERSON. A hard working forward, Followed up well and was very prominent in the loose. A very keen and spirited player. CUPPLES. Played both as a wing and as a centre. Considerably improved all round. While his kicking is quite good, his tackling is as yet too hesitant, a serious fault, especially in a centre. He has football in him but at present lacks experience and the confidence that comes with it. DUKE lCentre Three-quarterj. An extremely promising player. Possesses good hands, a useful kick, is unselfish, and has an eye for an opening. His tackling is very good and he has fulfilled the promise shown last year in his place kicking. Keen and enthusiastic to a degree, he lacks only a little more weight .and a year's experience. VVINSLOVV fOutside Halfj. Too slow off the mark for this position, this combined with his lack of weight rather limiting his effectiveness in attack. However, he possessed excellent hands, his passing was good and he always played intelligently. In defence he seemed to tire easily, and lacked the weight and speed to cope with larger men consistently. WILLIAMS QWing Threefquarterj. A useful player who came on consider- ably. In attack he did some clever things but he is excitable and tends to hold on too long, too often going down with the ball. In defence his ability to kick with either foot stood him in good stead, but his tackling, though improved, still lacked decision. -23f-