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

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i',L.,:x Craig Dykes: Captain of Rugby, Head Prefect 26 1:-'I' E I

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RUGBY FOOTBALL First Fifteen A record of nine victories from sixteen matches was a considerable improvement on some of the predictions made at the start of the season. The pessimists, however, could hardly be blamed for their gloomy forecasts. Only three of last year's Team had returned, and there appeared to be no obvious replacements for several crucial positions. Fortunately the half-backs, Dykes and Briggs, provided some stability for the back division, while McCarten and Vallance formed a core of experience on which the pack could be developed. By mid-term the forwards had begun to show signs of cohesion, but they possessed neither the speed nor the size to compensate for the deliciences outside the scrum. A further dislocation to the back division arose when Hall's position in the centre had to be Hlled. Wlell though MacEwing performed, there was never any real fluency in the centre, and the fact that only one try was scored between November and mid-February underlined the effects of Hall's untimely departure. Against mediocre opposition the backs were able to disguise their numerous shortcomings, but against more experienced opponents their limitations were often painfully exposed. At scrum half Briggs frequently found himself behind a retreating pack, and seldom found sufficient time to provide Dykes with the balanced service he needed to release his back division. Apart from the rare opportunities for Fuqua to demonstrate his speed on the wing, the attack was confined to the individual breaks of Briggs and Dykes, closely supported by the back row. If these moves were con- tained, little else could be offered except variations on kicks ahead, based largely on optimism rather than on any strategic plan. In the forwards, the strength lay in the back row, where Vallance and McCarten performed prodigies in the loose. The front row were solid enough, and Throne usually achieved parity in the set scrumg but the lack of bulk and height were particularly felt at the line-out. Here Briggs was comprehensively manhandled on a number of occasions, after lax binding and injudicious tapping by the forwards. Apart from the occasional success of McCarten, standing at the back of the line- out, little possession was gained from this phase of the game. The season began with an unexpected victory against Claremont. Recovering from an early deficit of six points, the School went ahead after Fuqua had intercepted a Claremont pass and outstripped the defence in an eighty-yard sprint to the line. During the second half. when the scores had again been levelled, Copeland, at full back. somehow managed to keep the home line intact during a bombardment of high kicks from the opposition. A tie seemed inevitable, but just before the final whistle Swofford kicked a well-judged penalty to earn a surprise victory. 25

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A high-scoring win against Victoria High School was a further boost to team morale, but ominous rumours filtering over the hlalahat suggested that Shawnigan would provide opposition of a different calibre. The following Saturday the School spent the afternoon vainly trying to prevent Shawnigan transforming rumour into reality. WVithin two minutes of the start Shawnigan was ahead: a well-placed diagonal kick found Graham and Fuqua out of position, leaving Oughtred to collect the ball for the first of his six tries. There followed a period of complete dominance by Shawnigan, who played some beautifully-con- trolled rugby. Hard and incisive running, supported by a rampant back row, could not be contained by the Schoolas brittle defence. At half time Shawnigan had amassed over thirty points at a rate which would have done justice to their Cricket XI. The school pack, however, rallied strongly after the restart: a penalty, followed by a try from a perfectly-executed scissors movement, brought a hint of respectability to the score. Before the end, as the school pack tired, Shawnigan began to reassert themselves, and before the close further emphasised their superiority by adding three late tries. Against a young Brentwood team, a repetition of the previous week's debacle at Shawnigan seemed unlikely. But again the School made a lethargic start. By half time nine points had been conceded, and the fierce rucking of the Brentwood pack gave their backs ample oppor- tunity of exploiting the gaping holes in the school defence. The chance of a second-half recovery disappeared almost immediately after the interval: Brentwood heeled against the head, took full advantage of the extra man in their backs and scored between the posts. Twenty points conceded in the opening quarter against St. George's indicated the superiority of their back division. Fortunately the School won sufficient ball to slow the scoring rate, but against heftier oppon- ents it was not enough to cover the disparity between the two back divisions, and St. Georgefs eventually finished comfortable winners. Sterner opposition was provided for the home matches against Shawnigan and Brentwood. The St. George's game was cancelled because of frost. Although both games resulted in defeats, the pack obtained a liberal supply of ball, and the backs, for the first time, began to show some resolution in defence. This improvement was maintained in the second half of the season. The pack was particularly impressive, and, towards the end of the term, Vallance, thrust into the unfamiliar role of centre, showed exactly what could be achieved by the simple basics of direct running and firm tackling. The first match with Royal Roads was played in appalling con- ditions. With the street lights providing the sole illumination for the second half, the Royal Roads' winning try in the final minute was a tribute to the nocturnal vision of the players and the Referee. In the return game a ponderous first-half display strongly suggested that certain members of the school team had succumbed to the lavish lunch-time fare. By the time digestive systems had regained control. Royal Roads were enjoying an eleven-point lead. Immediately after the interval, however, the school pack began to dominate possession. 27