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

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COLTS RUGBY The season for the most part has been successful. Naturally we have had our disappointments, notably when playing away against St. Georgeas, where, after pressing previously for three quarters of the game we lost 0-6. This was the result of over-confidence, for we had beaten Shawnigan easily on our own ground. At least it taught us that the basic essentials apply in all conditions, running must be fast and straight, and tackling must be hard and low. Before Christmas we had good wins against Lansdowne and Mount Newton Junior High Schools. In the New Year we had two important games, with St. George's and Shawnigan. St. George's we defeated 15-9 after being down 9-3 at half time. The last game of the season was the best, when we beat Shawnigan 14-6 away. At last the side began to play Rugby as a Team. There was some good handling and determined running. Wilkinson and Goward I finally contrived to work a scissors pass after hours of practice. These two had struck up a very happy partnership at half from the beginning of the season. As Captain Goward I showed great enthusiasm and as player coolness. At full back Marsden, although young and slow, did some very good things, he has any amount of courage. Among the forwards Murdoch I and Mackid were a good solid pair of props who did an immense amount of work. Taylor I in the back row also foraged around with considerable eagerness. M. A. N. JUNIOR RUGBY There were two main rugby groups in Junior Rugby, Group A, comprised of boys under 105 lbs. and coached by Mr. Wilson, and Group B, comprised of boys under 90 lbs. and coached by Mr. Orr. School teams of under 105 and 90 lbs. were selected from these Groups and games were played against Shawnigan Lake, St. George's School, Glenlyon, Qualicum College and Mount Newton High School. The 105 lbs. XV lost to Shawnigan Lake, St. George's and twice to Glenlyon. The two games against Mount Newton resulted in a draw and a win, and in the last game against Qualicum College we brought off a convincing victory. Although the record was somewhat mediocre there was considerable improvement throughout the season, and there are several good players in the making. The main faults were in loose scrumming, where boys showed a strong dislike to putting their heads down and working for the heel, and in passing. Certain members would never pass the ball to colleagues in more advantageous posi- tions. However, these main faults were gradually rectified in the latter half of the season. Barker I was a good solid player and Wenman and Walton show tremendous promise. Berard and Speers were hard- working forwards-and Skidmore was fearless. Speers made a good Captain. 22

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FIRST FIFTEEN CHARACTERS BEBAN fCaptainJ -A good front-rank forward. In the tight his weight was well used, while in the line-out his height and good hands were tremendous assets. Rather slow in the loose, but his weight and determination made him most dangerous near the line. Captained the side with enthusiasm. ANDREWS CVice-Captainl -An experienced forward who played both as a hook and a second-row man. He was an honest worker in both positions. Rather ponderous in the loose. BROWN - A dependable front-row man, who put in much useful work with- out being spectacular, Good in the tight and adequate in the line-out, but carried too much weight to be effective in the loose. RIGOS II-Another weighty forward, Better in the line-out and the tight than when the ball was rolling, Useful in either the front or the second row. WHITESIDE - Came into the side late and filled the position of hooker with distinction. A very spirited and courageous performer, who played all out from start to finish. GARDNER-Dependable in the back row, where he put in much honest work. Steady but not quick in the loose. His hands were poor but his tackling was always reliable. STENE-Vastly improved and had a good season as a break. Active in the loose, His hands were good and he tackled well. He was also a promising place-kicker. MUSGRAVE-A very effective break. His tackling lacked decision, but he was quick in the loose, where he was good with his feet and a constant worry to the opposition. Rather wild and excitable, but he is learning to remedy this. STIDHAM-An experienced and dependable scrum half. His kicking was barely adequate but his service was excellent and his tackling good, and he never hestitated where falling was required. Loved the game and played it in a most spirited and courageous manner, MILNER-An excellent attacking full back who possessed pace and scored some fine tries. Tackled well and kicked with prodigious length. His catching was good but at times he showed a weakness and hesitancy on the ground. PHILLIPS -He has reasonable pace and general promise as a wing, but has improved little over last year. His defence and his hands are not yet reliable and he is inclined to overdo the kick ahead. WITTKE--A rather erratic centre whose defence was shaky. He was, how- ever, keen to a degree, used what pace he had and was always a threat in the middle. A very spirited performer who always gave of his best. FIBIGER-A useful centre who possessed good hands and fair pace, but tended to run across. His punting was quite adequate but his defence was hesitant. He could tackle but all too often his decision to do so was too long delayed. A very capable drop- and place-kicker. CHAPMAN - Inexperienced on the wing as yet but made a promising sta.rt. His kicking, passing and tackling must improve, but he is keen, has pace and weight and should be first-class when he acquires the necessary con- fidence. DYKES-New to the game but was keen and improved rapidly. As an out- side half his hands were good, his passing timely and his use of the dummy made him dangerous on his own, despite a lack of pace, His tackling and kicking must improve, A player of real promise. W. R. G. W. 21

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The 90 lbs. XV lost to Shawnigan and St. George's but beat Glen- lyon. The main faults were similar to those of the 105 lbs. XV, plus the fact that in early group games there were 30 Captains! The out- standing players in the games were under-90-lb. boys from Group A, but Wilt looks very promising and the general keeness was en- couraging. Generally speaking the season was highly satisfactory. For many boys it was the first time that they were exposed to the game, and it takes a long time fully to understand and appreciate its merits, but nearly everyone entered into the game with the right spirit and worked hard. Rugby balls were taken out on to the field at all possible moments of free time and useful practice was gained. Many boys should still be available this coming season, so we hope to have a bet- ter playing record. R. W. W. JUNIOR SOCCER Although Rugby is considered to be our main Winter activity a certain amount of Soccer was played on games afternoons, which pro- vided a refreshing alternative to Rugby. Three matches were played, one by a Grade VII Boarders team in Tacoma against the Charles Wright Academy and two games for boys in Grades IV, V and VI against Cliffside Preparatory School. These were all new fixtures, for both these Schools opened only in September, 1959. The games against Cliffside resulted in each side winning one game. Both games were most entertaining and we look forward to future encounters. The game against Charles Wright Academy was quite a mark in the history of the School, for it is believed to be the first time that a School Team has travelled to the United States for a game. It was a full week-end trip which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We lost by three goals to two after a poor first half, due, perhaps, to six hours' travelling. We settled down to a storming second half and all but saved the game. Stephenson, Barker I and Wilde played well. Soccer is a game which requires true ball sense and application, and only Stephenson could be described as a real footballer, but Wen- man, Walton, Wilde, Barker and Berard showed some promise. R. W. W. 23