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

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Dykes and Briggs found inviting gaps in the opposition defence, and in the second half the School scored nineteen points without reply. The final match finished in dramatic style. During the closing stages Cand with two men off the field injuredj the school team was trying desperately to salvage a tie from what appeared to be certain defeat. The opposition, having missed several scoring chances themselves, were foolish enough to present Swoflford with a penalty, and the unenviable task of winning the match with the last kick of the game. Seemingly quite unperturbed by the tension, Swofford sent his kick high between the posts to end the season as it had begun, with an unexpected, but thoroughly-deserved victory. Results were as follows: October 6 V. Claremont fhomej, won 12-9 15 v. Victoria High School Qhomej, won 33-6 17 v. Shawnigan Qawayj, lost 8-47 21 v. Mount Douglas Chomel, won 27-3 24 v. Brentwood Cawayj, lost 6-17 29 v. Claremont Qhomej, lost 0-22 November 4 v. Oak Bay Qhomej, won 8-6 7 v. Old Boys Chomej, won 3-0 14 v. St. George's fhomej, lost 3-30 18 v. Mount View Qhomej, won 9-6 26 v. Brentwood fhomej, lost 3-19 December 3 v. Shawnigan Qhomej, lost 0-19 January 20 v. Victoria High School Qhomel, won 12-11 February 9 v. Royal Roads Qhomej, lost 3-6 March 20 v. Royal Roads fawayj, won 19-11 25 v. Combined High Schools XV Chomej, won 16-13 M.A.W. 28

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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

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FIRST FIFTEEN CHARACTERS DYKES CGapt.j Qfly-halfj -Showed a good pair of hands in catching much of Briggs, wayward service. His deceptively long stride proved useful in attack, but a reluctance to come up quickly in defence allowed his opposite number space to manoeuvre. BRIGGS Cscrum halfl -An erratic performer, sometimes more troubled by his own temperament than by the opposition. His service lacked control, but his blind-side breaks and ability to link with the back row were highly successful. CAMERON I Ccentrel -He possessed a useful turn of speed and a passable sidestep. His inconsistent handling in attack and uncertain tackling under- mined his confidence and prevented any fluency in his play. MacEWING Ccentrel -A converted winger who showed the only signs of solidity in mid-field. He handled well and ran strongly, but lacked the speed to be elusive. FIRTH fwingl -Lack of acceleration did not permit him to beat his man by change of pace, but his lengthy stride made him difhcult to stop. His handling and defence improved throughout the season. GRAHAM fwingj - Hesitant under pressure, particularly when fielding high opposition kicks. His speed off the mark was useful in attack, and his ability to run with the ball compensated for his limited length of kick. FUQUA fwingl -Given sufficient space his powerful bursts were difficult to halt. Vuln.erable in defence, largely because of poor anticipation, and tackling, which was seldom low enough to be effective. MACAULAY I Cpropj - His compact build enabled him to cause discomfort to a number of opposing hookers. An uncompromising forward in the loose, and a devastating tackler. THRONE Chookerl -A competent striker, but not always consistent at critical scrums. Lively in the loose and a well-balanced runner with the ball. HEFFERNAN fpropj -A solid scrummager and a useful supporting forward at the line-out. Hard-working but still a little cumbersome in the loose. FELLNER Csecond rowl -His lack of bulk did not allow him to make full use of his height at the line-out. He needs to become more aggressive-a quality which at present is demonstrated only under severe provocation. HARDING Csecond rowl -A strong supporting forward, particularly at the line-out, but without the necessary speed to become a force in the loose. MCCARTEN I fnumber eightj -Robust and determined. He was useful at the back of the line-out and a powerful breaker from the set scrum. His cover defence was one of the outstanding features of the team. VALLANCE Qflankerl -An ubiquitous performer. He gained much useful possession by his hard rucking and strong supporting play. SWOFFORD Cfiankerj -An inconspicuous but industrious member of the pack. His intelligent anticipation more than compensated for his lack of speed. On several occasions his place-kicking ability proved a match-winning asset. M.A.'W. 29