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

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scrum at midfield their Captain broke the School defence in the cen- tre and, out-pacing all opposition, scored an unconverted try. The School were unlucky to be three points down against the run of the play, but they attacked again immediately and soon opened their account when Stene, who had played very well indeed, fell on a loose ball to score a try which F ibiger improved with a very good kick. Although the School continued to have by far the better of the argument they could not cross again and led 5-3 at the breather. Throughout the second half the School continued to have the better of the game but the St. George's forwards fought back hard. It was the School who threatened seriously, however, Twice Wittke was all but over on the right, and F ibiger was in the clear but was caught from behind inside the St. George's twenty-five. The crowning tragedy came when the School were awarded a penalty and Fibiger missed the kick from an easy position. However the St. George's outsides were being well held and it appeared certain that the School would maintain their two point lead. It was not to be. Two minutes from time from a scrum in the School twenty-five the ball went quickly to the visitors' Captain, playing in the centre. The School defence was badly placed and with a fine burst he ran around it to score. The try was not converted and there was barely time for the kick off be- fore no-side blew and the School once again had lost in the closing minutes a game which they should have won. In losing 6-5 the School had played hard from start to finish. They enjoyed a decided terri- torial advantage but they lacked finish and luck was not with them. St. George's, who seldom threatened, seized their few chances well. Stidham, handicapped by injury, played courageous football. Wittke and Fibiger did some good things, and Milner had an excellent first half. The pack worked hard throughout, Stene and Musgrave, the breaks, being very prominent. SCHOOL v. SHAWNIGAN LAKE SCHOOL Playing away the School were defeated by two goals Q10 pts.j to a penalty goal C3 pts.j. The School started slowly and found themselves 5 points down in the first five minutes, bad tackling conceding a try between the posts. They then fought back hard and soon opened their account when Fibiger kicked a penalty. Heartened, they matched their opponents forward and, although never quite as well together behind the scrum, they suffered little by comparison with their more speedy counter- parts. Fifteen minutes before half time Gardner was injured and at this stage the School were at their best. Play was largely confined to the Shawnigan twenty-five, but finish was lacking and the teams changed over with the School still two points in arrears. Gardner returned after half time and the School fully held their own. The forward battle was very spirited but neither side looked par- ticularly dangerous behind the scrum. Milner, at full back, was at fault several times when he failed to gather cleanly, but luck was with him 17

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own, but the breaks were a disappointment and failed to hold the opposing outside half and centres. Behind the scrum Stidham was dependable and Angus improved, but the centres did not have a happy match, especially in defence. Chapman did some excellent things and showed great promise, at the same time revealing his inexperience. A very even match which should really have been won. SCHOOL v. SHAWNIGAN LAKE SCHOOL This game was played at home and won by the visitors by a goal C5 pts.j to a penalty goal C3 pts.j. Shawnigan showed to advantage in the opening stages, their for- wards playing with great dash, but their backs, with more than their share of the ball, had their chances and for the most part failed to take them. The School backs again showed how weak they were in the centre and it was fortunate that the penetrations there were by men without pace. The School forwards gave a good account of them- selves, while Milner at full back gathered cleanly and punted pro- digiously. Shawnigan opened the scoring midway through the first half. From a scrum on the line they heeled, held the ball in the back row and then pushed over to score a good try which was goaled. The School had had a few chances but did not look happy in attack. Dykes appeared to be the best qualified, but in general there was no pace and the handling, especially Chapman's, was faulty, The second half was quite even and mainly of a forward nature. Early on Stene brought the School within striking distance when he was successful with a penalty. Shawnigan still failed to use their ad- cantage behind the scrum, but they nearly added to their lead when a penalty hit the post and the School were able to touch down. There was no further scoring and the School lost a rather uneventful game 3-5. F rom'the School's point of view the play of Milner was the redeem- ing feature. He kicked with length and judgement, ran with speed and determination and handled splendidly. Another who caught the eye was Stidham. His service from the scrum was excellent, his defence good and his general play most resolute and spirited. The forwards stood up well, Andrews and Beban being prominent. SCHOOL v. ST. GEORGE'S SCHOOL Playing at home the School lost a bitterly-contested match in the last minute. The School pressed strongly from the start and play was for some time in the visitors' twenty-five. The School forwards showed to ad- vantage, especially in the tight, so the outside saw a fair amount of the ball and on the whole used it well, particularly when Milner came up from full back to add punch. Up to this point the dangerous St. Georgels centres had been held, but suddenly they struck. From a 16

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and he redeemed himself by his excellent kicking. Fibiger, who did some useful things, was also prominent. Two minutes from the end Shawnigan were awarded a penalty under the School posts. The ball just scraped under the bar, where Chapman, with all the time in the world to touch down, unaccountably failed to do so and a Shawnigan player nipped in to score a try which was goaled with the last kick of the match. Once again the School had paid dearly for a fatal lapse in the final seconds, and really a 5-3 loss would have been a very fair result. The forwards played splendidly and had slightly the better of it against a very good pack. Beban, Stene, Andrews and Musgrave were outstanding and Whiteside was a great success as a hooker. Behind the scrum Huston had a good match but Stidham, unavoidably ab- sent, was greatly missed. His presence at scrum half might have made all the difference. Dykes was steady at outside half, and the outsides generally performed well against men who were quicker and more experienced. Actually the side had done well after being down five points in the opening stages to fight back to a two-point deficit and hold their own until just before no-side. SCHOOL v. H.M.C.S. VENTURE Making a promising start the School won by a goal, a penalty goal and two tries Q14 pts.j to nil. Wittke, Milner and Musgrave scored tries while Milner converted once and was successful with a penalty. SCHOOL v. OAK BAY HIGH SCHOOL The School were well beaten by four goals and a try C23 pts.j to a goal, a penalty goal and two tries C14 pts.j. Shocking defensive play cost the School ten points, but Beban's try and a penalty goal by Milner reduced the deficit before half time. The,High School ran through the middle for two goals and a try early in the second half, the School centres, outside half and break forwards showing little resolution in defence. Musgrave, however, scored after a long run by Fibiger and Milner converted. Sweeting added the final try, but the School were well and deservedly beaten. Only Beban and Stidham did themselves justice. SCHOOL v. VICTORIA HIGH SCHOOL The School were too good for Victoria High School, winning by a goal, a penalty goal and four tries C20 pts.j to a try Q3 pts.j. Superior in all departments, the School were only able to cross five times, Milner scoring twice while Wittke, Stidham and Stene each scored once. F ibiger landed a penalty and converted once. The School were not impressive against a weak side: their passing was ill-timed and slovenly and they gave away a try late in the first half by poor defensive play, Individually they did some useful things but never in the same movement. 18