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

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RUGBY FIRST FIFTEEN The lst, XV had a successful Season and Hnished with a record of eleven wins and three losses. In the matches against St. Georgels and Shawnigan Lake Schools we beat St. George's twice and, although we lost at Shawnigan, we amply revenged this set-back with a good win at home. The ground was extremely hard at the beginning of September and we were unable to play our first game until October 1-lth. However, the first four weeks of the season were devoted to training, with emphasis on basic skills, which proved to be useful preparation for matches. W e were fortunate to have a good nucleus from last year's XV, and after Christmas the return of Blair was very welcome. Dykes proved to be a very capable Captain who assisted extremely well in training the team and was a tremendous inspiration on the field. Stene, as Vice-Captain, led the forwards with skill, and his experience was of great value to the side, He has now made fifty lst. XV appearances, which is a fine achievement. Huston was a very impressive scrum half and pleased many with his fine play throughout the season. Unfortunately the high schools did not have good sides this year, and Oak Bay and Victoria High were beaten by scores of 40 and 35 points without reply. Vmztun' provided us with two good games and our matches with Royal Roads were perhaps two of the best games of the season. The first was a hard-fought contest under very wet conditions, which we lost 3-6, and the second encounter was a fine display of open Rugby under good conditions, which we won 14-12. XVe played extremely well to beat Oak Bay Wlanderers 14-3, and our senior opponents were impressed by our fitness and ability. Our only poor performance was against Victoria University. Wle played a spirit- less game and an injury to Dykes further plunged us into the depths of misery. In the main games of the season we did very well to beat St. George's in Vancouver, which is always a tall order. The game was quite close until the last 20 minutes, when we overcame their forwards and began to pass the ball well. The game at Shawnigan, which we lost by two penalties to a try, was somewhat of a heartbreak, but we had become too quickly dispirited and our game suffered thereby, so that we deserved to lose. However, we learned a good lesson! The return game against Shawnigan was played on a very wet and muddy field. Considering the dreadful conditions the team played extremely well, the three-quarters passing the ball and trying to play open Rugby fand, to their credit, they succeeded to some degreel. But under such conditions forward play was of paramount importance and the pack never let up for one moment. Thus, we gained our first victory over Shawnigan for three years, which was very gratifying, although the wait had been too long. XVe took the field against St. Georgels on the crest of a wave, after two fine wins against O.B.XN'. and Royal Roads, two senior teams. We enjoyed a good measure of the play but were, perhaps, a little over- 22

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confident and careless. St. George's scored two good tries, both of which were converted. Two good penalties by Goward and a try by Dykes, converted by Stene, gave us a one point win 11-10. This was a slightly hollow victory. Throughout the season the XV was willing to train hard, and the keenness was exceptional. This factor, perhaps, accounted for the fact that we were free from injury all the season. There was an intense battle for lst. XY places and Angus I, Abel, hlousel, Palmer and 1N'indrem for a period each lost their places in the team. To their credit they joined the 2nd. XV with enthusiasm and always gave of their best in order to regain their places. Their attitude is to be com- mended. Credit is also due to those players who displaced them, especially to King and Taylor, who practised and trained hard. Prospects for next year seern to be quite good. Younger members of the lst. XV-Yaiyan, Simonson, Taylor-should be even more valuable next year, and the third fifteen appears to have an abundance of talent. Colours were re-awarded to Dykes, Stene, Huston, Chapman and Blair. New Colours were Angus H, Yaryan, Dodyk, Murdoch I, Simon- son, Taylor and Goward. The Side was as follows: Dykes CCapt.l, Stene fVice-Captj, Huston, Chapman, Blair, Goward, Keble, King, Murdoch I, Yaryan, Simonson, Dodyk, Angus H, Taylor, 1Vindrem. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the season was the fact that all School teams were successful. This reflects well upon the spirit, enthusiasm and skill of boys throughout the School and augurs well for the future. lst. XV RESULTS School V. H.M.C.S. Venture, Wlon 18-9 School v. Royal Roads, Lost 3-6 School v. H.M.C.S. Venture, 1Von 15-3 School v. St. George's, Wlon 9-0 School v. Oak Bay High School, Wlon 40-0 School v. Shawnigan Lake, Lost 3-6 School v. Shawnigan Lake, 1N'on 9-0 School v. Royal Roads, YVon 1-1-12 School v. Oak Bay 1Vanderers, 1fVon 14-3 School v. Victoria High School, XN'on 35-0 School v. St. George's, 1Von 11-10 School v. Victoria College AH, Lost 3-21 School y. An Old Boys XV, 1Von 61-5 School v. Victoria College Bw, Wlon 11-3 R.W.W. FIRST FIFTEEN CHARACTERS DYKES CCapt.j CF1y Halfj -A good, strong Fly Half who is a dangerous attacking player. He uses his weight well and his dummy to advantage. A fine handler of the ball and has improved his defence, His kicking is still weak, having much height and little length! He captained the side with tremendous vigour and enthusiasm, both on and off the field. 2-1