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

Page 30 text:

4th. XV Standing: R. McGowan, D. Cornwall, D. Dennison, R. Fowler, D. Mundell, XV. Hope, C.. Fuzak, D. Li, NV. Logan, I. McArthur. Seated: M. Tabuteau, G. Lee, P. McDermott, S. Keenlyside fCapt.j, B. Brinton, G. Hansen, T. 'Woo. . f ' 5th. XV Standing: R. Evans, I. Boon, K-L. Vlfong, W. Sealey, R. Martin, N. Hirtz, F. Scrimes, D. Killoran. Seated: R. Watson, P. Dyson, B. Falkins CCapt.j, LI. Briggs, R. Niven, On Ground: K. Adams, Howard.

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SECOND FIFTEEN As a result of an abnormally high rate of injuries amongst members of the lst. XV, the 2nd. XV was seldom able to field a team at full strength. The pack, under Tolman's leadership, strove manfully to ob- tain an adequate supply of possession, but were frequently dominated by heavier and more skilful opposition. Outside the scrum there was general reluctance to tackle, and poor defensive work led to a number of high-scoring defeats. Goorevitch II and Rainsford were the most consistent of the three-quarters, while Smith, at full back, proved a useful asset when he had overcome the nervousness which had plagued his performances in the lst. XV. Eleven matches were played, of which two were won, one drawn and eight lost fpoints for 59, against 2l6j. M.W. THIRD FIFTEEN The victory against the seconds at the beginning of the season may not be spoken of with bated breath in future years, nor will posterity Q and particularly the secondsj care to remember the score. What was ably demonstrated was one cheering fact--we had a nucleus of players who were experienced enough to promise much for the forth- coming session. Unfortunately, the evil eyes of various talent scouts were upon us during this match, and the covetous ones spirited away at least half-a- dozen of our better players, leaving a sadly-depleted B group. Such is the price of brilliance. It would now be logical to record that we never recovered from this blow, and that we proceeded to lose all our matches with varying de- grees of ignominy. This was not so. True, we did lose our first three major encounters, but in the second term we remained undefeated. It would be quite unrealistic to say that we played good', rugby, for we lacked that blending of experience which is normally essential to a team, and I do think that we had, per- haps, more than our share of good luck. However, none of this detracts from the outstanding feature of the thirds, this year, --good team spirit and discipline. There were both in ample measure. My thanks go to Brinton and Morgan for their dual captaincies. S.J.H.W. 27

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FOURTH FIFTEEN As the most successful team in the school, the members of the 4th. XV can perhaps be forgiven for any vestige of conceit which may yet remain. That they consistently won matches was not due to the meas- ure of individually good players in the side, but rather to an apprecia- tion of the more basic skills, and a disciplined application of them. I would not be belittling the thirds if I said that the fourths appeared to play more enterprising Rugby, and were no less spirited and enthusi- astic. McDern1ott, at scrum half, played with rare native cunning, and I should like to thank both him and Keenlyside for their leadership. S.J.H.W. FIFTH FIFTEEN Although the fifths enjoyed very little luck, all gave of their best in the matches played. All three of our encounters were lost, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that we gave our opponents a real fight on occasion. The most outstanding player on the team was Wong, who played very well in his first year of Rugby. Everybody did his best, and we were able to maintain the school spirit on the field of play. Bruce B. Falkins, Captain COLTS FIFTEEN The Senior Colts enjoyed their best season for some years. For the first time since the age basis was adopted we enjoyed something close to parity as far as weight was concerned, and the result was that all games against other Independent Schools were nip and tuck affairs. Forward the side was adequate in the tight and in the line-out, but somewhat slow-footed in the loose. Spicer, Barrett and Mulberg were prominent performers. Behind the scrum Middleton had a good season at scrum half, and Gerdes was a spirited and courageous wing, but there was a vital lack of thrust and penetration in the centre. McPhee captained the side with enthusiasm and in a very sporting manner. His side deserved, perhaps, at least one other success, but the scores attest to the closeness of the matches. Six matches were played, of which two were won and four lost fpoints for 34, against 38j. W.R.G.W. 29