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

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COLTS RUGBY A combination of circumstances prevented the Colts Rugby Team from playing an adequate number of matches. The insistence upon weight as the criterion when building a side. apart from causing domestic confusion, prohibits us from competing against teams drawn from particular age groups-a state of affairs that deprived us of at least two games against High Schools, Transportation problems and organizational hazards limited our matches with Shawnigan and St. George's to a combined total of four, This was a particularly un- fortunate predicament because we had a promising side which, as the season progressed, began to play Rugger of a technical standard above the ordinary. and which could have produced practised and experienced players for the future. Even so. if the lessons of this season were fully absorbed and the customary drift to other parts can be curbed. we appear to have the nucleus of experienced players that is so important when building senior school teams. The season itself was in many ways remarkable, Our first match was played in Vancouver against St. George's. and was lost by a small margin-deservedly so. since little energy was shown by either side. the decision resting ultimately on the number of mistakes made. and of these we had more than our fair share. However. it taught our newcomers the disadvantages of wild and careless play and it em- phasized the need for much more determination. especially around the edges of the scrum, The first match with Shawnigan deserves to be struck from the records. From the moment that the team took the field until the final whistle there was not a spark of life, In the cold and the rain the entire side stood still and looked even more pathetic as the opponents' score steadily mounted without producing one single answering effort. lt was an embarrassing afternoon, It was after this performance that words were spoken that could have no place in this report. but which apparently bore fruit the following term. when we met both our opponents on our own ground and were on both occasions victorious. The game against St. George's was hard and fast. and it was here that our enthusiasm and energy were enough to dominate the match. which was comfortably won by 19 points. The best game of the year was that against Shawnigan. Both sides were confident and fit and played hard from start to finish. Our success on this occasion seemed to be due to a greater technical skill in every part of the game, Nlany sessions of tedious practice produced an excellent exhibition of fast, open Rugger. There was much to be learned from the season as a whole. In particular it was obvious that practice without spirit and determina- tion was wasted, and that enthusiasm in itself needs the support of technical skill to prevent the game developing into a tedious struggle, Bernard and Edgelow led the side efficiently and set an energetic example in the midst of every scrum. Gther forwards were more erratic. but by the end of the season the pack was working well together. Lahey. supported by NIcRae and Maude I. hooked the ball with admirable regularity even when travelling backwards, Brown. 29

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MCLEOD I-His lack of weight and height were against him in the line-out and the tight, but he was always very keen and willing, and very useful in the loose. LUND I-A dependable front-row forward who improved with every game. He gave some very keen and robust displays and is a player of great promise. XVATSON-An experienced hooker who was seldom beaten in this department, Active and intelligent in the line-out and the loose. XVILLIAMS-An improved forward, An honest worker in the second row. Rather slow but willing and robust in the loose. McCLASKEY-Rather awkward in build and slow of movement but filled the difficult position of second-row forward well. He has learned to use his weight better and at the end of the season was among the most effective of the forwards. MCLEOD II LFull Backl-Somewhat more confident and effective this year but still too slow to gather and clear. A fair tackle but his lack of speed was a handicap. A useful kick. Also played as a second-row forward with success. MARGETTS Q'Wing Three-QuarterD-Possessed a fair turn of speed but his hands were poor and he was totally lacking in anticipation, Tackled well at times. ROSS QCentre Three-Quarterl-An improved player but still lacks the neces- sary confidence. In attack his weight and pace made him hard to stop when in the clear. A useful kick but hesitant when facing forwards, and a weak tackle. Keen and will yet do well, SKINNER QWing Three-Quarterl-Somewhat improved in attack, where his speed was well used on occasion. He was always keen but was erratic and excitable, very weak defensively and lacked a sound knowledge of the game. SANDERS fCentre Three-Quarterl-Showed early promise both in attack and defence, but never came on as expected. Rather slow on his feet and his passing was delayed and slovenly. Lack of condition was also an adverse factor. LITTLE I CScrum Halfl-A courageous and intelligent player with a sound knowledge of the game. Very dangerous on his own near the line, but never selfish, Heroic in defence and played the game in a splendid spirit. GREENHOUSE fOutside Half!-Too slow and ponderous for this position, but while he was never brilliant he was always willing and seldom failed. A useful kick, but otherwise uncertain in defence, W.R.G.W. 28

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Nlacdonald and lYhidden were all capable performers. As it happened, most of the forwards were tall for their weight, which meant that their backs were often bent under pressure and the set scrum was rarely stable. In compensation there was plenty of pace in the open and. consequently. additional support for the three-quarters, Perhaps the best feature of the game against Shawnigan was the speed and energy with which the loose scrums were formed when the ball went astray. In this respect an example was set for most of the School's forwards. - Our principal uncertainty throughout the season was the be- haviour of the scrum-half. Allen and Little II were both capable of passing quickly and cleanly from the ground. but neither of them proved reliable under pressure. nor was their defensive play adequate. L'pon Coleman at stand-off. therefore. fell the responsibility of developing the attack in the three-quarter line. This he did with increasing success. He lacks real pace. and it took long hours of practice before he was able to recognize an opening and then exploit it, but by the last match he had developed considerable skill in attack. His defence was usually sound. IYilson II and Mattson were both new to the game: they both have strong legs and should develop into useful plavers. Slick and Eyes I had previous experience and can run fast. but they both insist on running straight into the opposition. and they need to improve their handling and passing if they are to make much further progress. .In conclusion. every member of this team would do well to remember the advice given by visiting coaches early in the season- that Rugger needs practice. and that games are no substitute for this practice. Until at least two afternoons a week can be wholeheartedly devoted to practising it is unlikely that there will be much improve- ment in the technical standard of play. C.B. CRICKET BI. C. L. Gerry. the Captain. had the assistance of P. Green- house as Vice-Captain and five others from the 1955 Eleven. In addition two new boys. Getz and Hlilson II. were experienced, so prospects were bright. Eight matches were played. three being won, four lost and one drawn. The away game with Shawnigan Lake was lost disastrously, but in the return the School had much the better of a drawn game. St. Georgels School were defeated comfortably. Getz was the leading batsman. scoring 123 runs for an average of 15.37. Both Gerry and Greenhouse averaged over ten. but the Captain's performances never matched his keenness and knowledge. XYith the ball Greenhouse took 13 wickets for 62 runs to head the averages. but Getz. with 26 wickets for 147 runs, was the leading bowler. Wilson II, with 11 for 121. was very promising, Colours were awarded to M. C. L. Gerry. P, Greenhouse and B. R. Getz. 30