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

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RUGBY FOOTBALL FIRST FIFTEEN After two handsome victories in the opening games, even the most pessimistic of supporters could scarcely have visualized the disappoint- ing results which were to follow. Only two further matches were won during the season - an unimpressive record by any standards. The most frustrating aspect of the season was undoubtedly the team's inability to take advantage of scoring chances. In strong attack- ing positions, dropped passes, missed kicks and loss of possession in loose and set scrurns took place with exasperating frequency. Most of the trouble lay in midfield, where a lack of cohesion, to- gether with a tendency to receive the ball standing still, gave the centres little chance of beating their opposite numbers. Occasionally there were promising individual runs from Reeves, but these lone sorties were rarely supported and seldom escaped the cover defence. On the wings Shave and Rockwell were sadly neglected, and little use was made of their strong running. The main scoring threat to the opposition was provided by Conduit, who combined effectively with the back row to score a number of fine tries. In defence the team was saved time and again by the stalwart efforts of the pack in depriving the opposition of the ball. Dobson and Grove stifled many of the attacks close to the scrum, while Dade covered vast tracts of ground to disrupt dangerous movements in the open. Gutside the scrum, however, the tackling lacked resolution, and a lack of ex- perience in positional play gave the opposing three-quarters ample space in which to manoeuvre. Keil, at full back, was a noticeable ex- ception to the defensive shortcomings of the backs. His elusive running with the ball more than compensated for the limited range of his touch-kicking. The pack was never dominated, and refused to be discouraged when little use was made of their hard-earned possession of the ball. There was no shortage of possession in the loose: Grumbach, after a disas- trous afternoon against Brentwood, gained parity in the set scrums, and the guile of Dobson and Grove made up for the lack of a line-out specialist. The Independent School matches were all lost. Depressing as this fact may be, it does scant justice to the way in which the team per- formed in these games. Against Brentwood and Shawnigan the margin never exceeded five points, and the issue was in doubt until the final whistle. St. George's were twice able to score over twenty points by an impressive display of running by their back division, aided by some crucial errors in the school defence. In spite of the discouraging effect of such an unsuccessful record, it is a credit to the team as a whole, and, in particular, to Conduitls cap- taincy, that throughout the season there was no deterioration in the team spirit or the will to win. 23

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those present sang the Carols in a way worthy of any choir. A generous offering was received for U.N.I.C.E.F. lfVe are now preparing for the annual Speech Day Service, which will be held too late to record in these notes. The Chapel Ofhcers for the year were: Verger C. O. Tolman Headmaster's NVarden T. Conduit Chaplain's VVarden D. Brinton C.E.F.lV., Chaplain lst. XV .S'tanding: W. Rockwell, Q. Meeker, V. W. Smith, P. Hartman, R. Lauder, J. Dobson, K. Faught, B. Crurnbach. Seated: YY. Keil, M. Reeves, R. Grove, T. Conduit QCapt.l, Meeker, R. Dade, D. Singleton. 22

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Results were as follows: OCTOBER 16 School Mount Douglas, won 20-8 30 School Oak Bay, won 32-0 NOVEMBER 2 School Brentwood College, lost 6-9 7 School Claremont, lost 0-11 9 School Old Boys, lost 9-11 1-1 School lN1ount Douglas, won 6-0 16 School St. Georgels, lost 9-26 21 School Claremont, lost 3-17 30 School Shawnigan Lake School, lost 8-13 DECEMBER 14 School An Incogsl' XV, lost 13-28 FEBRUARY 15 School Royal Roads, won 13-6 23 School Brentwood College, lost 3-5 MARCH 1 School St. George's, lost 11-21 8 School Shawnigan Lake School, lost 3-5 M.W FIRST FIFTEEN CHARACTERS CONDUIT CCaptainj Cscrum halfj -Set a fine example to the rest of the team by his consistent performance. Possessed sound tactical sense, though he was sometimes lacking in imagination. His attacking break was a constant threat to the opposition, while his tireless covering was an invaluable asset in defence. SHAVE Cwingl - It was unfortunate that injury prevented his making more than two appearances in the Christmas term. A powerful runner and poten- tially the best attacking back. His handling, however, was uncertain, and his slowness on the turn made him a liability in defence. SINGLETON Ccentrej -Improved steadily during the season. Lacked the necessary experience to outwit his opposite number, but possessed safe hands and an incisive tackle. REEVES tcentrel -With his sidestep and swift acceleration he was able to make a number of fine breaks, but his inclination to watch his man rather than the ball contributed to the high number of passes dropped in midfield. ROCKWELL Cwingl - Seldom had the chance to use his speed. Given space in which to move he was difficult to stop. Sometimes apt to lose concentra- tion and stray out of position in defence. 24