Brentwood College School - Brentonian Yearbook (Mill Bay, British Columbia Canada)

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The First Ten Years of Brentwood Rugby To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Rugby Club this coach sat down and with help and advice from several other school- coaches, selected what he considered to be the Brentwood College ' All Star ' XV 1961-71. Here it is - and I invite comment and criticism from interested Old Boys, on my choice. Fullback: Dai WiUiams (64-65, 65-66, 66-67, 67-68) R. Wing: Rick RoUins (64-65, 65-66) Outside Centre: John Mitchell (66-67) Inside Centre: Doug Levell (70-71, 71-72) L. Wing: Dean Sawyer (66-67, 67-68, 68-69) Standoff: Terry Kirby (62-63, 63-64, 64-65, 65-66) Scrum Half: Alan McCrindle (67-68) Prop: Cam Gardiner (66-67, 67-68) Hooker: Tim Osier (68-69, 69-70) Prop: Norman Cressey (69-70) 2nd Row: Rob Hindson (67-68, 68-69, 69-70) 2nd Row: Arne Dahl (65-66, 66-67) Openside Break: Bard Haddrell (65-66, 66-67) No. 8: Mike Ohman (65-66, 66-67) BUndside Break: Fraser Cameron (69-70) Quite a team, in fact a coach ' s dream! It would be fun to try and get this XV together to play the current School XV, or anyone close for that matter. N.R.B.P. 23

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BRENTWOOD COLLEGE RUGBY CLUB The 1971 Rugby season has to be considered most successful in spite of the 1st XV being unable to regain the Independent Schools ' Championship. Interest naturally centres on the 1st XV, (and I shall be speaking of them later,) but it was the degree of participation and competition through- out the school that made this season an out- standing one. We ran 9 teams, 5 at the Senior level, a Colts XV, Colts ' B ' XV, Ju nior Colts XV and Jr. Jr. Colts XV. Because of the growth of the game in the Pubhc Schools and the Junior Independent Schools, we were never short of matches and many new friendships and fixtures have been made. In addition to the number of matches we played, I must note the success of the Senior teams. The 2nd XV lost but 2 games of 8 and won the Independent Schools ' 2nd XV Cup. The 3rd XV, coached by Mr. Burrows, played attractive Rugby and finished the season unbeaten. The 4th and 5th XV ' s coached respectively by Messrs. Hunter and Garvey, lost but one game apiece. In spite of this depth at the Senior level we could not put together a Cup-winning 1st XV. Usually there is a marked difference between a 1st XV and a 2nd XV player, but this season we had a lot of players all of a standard. I had said in my notes last year that we had a very young side who would develop in the 1971 Fall. They developed in skill, becoming a workmanlike side, but not in physique and they had three basic weaknesses. First, our forwards just did not grow, and, al- though they gave everything, they just could not achieve that superiority which has been typical of Brentwood packs in the past. What a difference a Dahl or Hindson would have made. Secondly, we lacked real speed in the backs, and one longed for a Mitchell or a Sawyer. And thirdly, we lacked a general at outside-half. Jock Osier tried, but always looked the converted full-back he was. Eventually we used a Grade X student. Chuck Wills, and here hopefully is a prospect for the future. One or two players of outstanding ability could have raised the team to a cup-winning level, but we just did not have anyone of this class. None of the players can be criticised for they gave everything, none more than the Captain Murray Bayles. His performance in the 2nd Shawnigan game was one of the greatest by a Brentwood forward. Incidentally, our Shawnigan jinx con- tinues; for the second year we played almost the whole game with thirteen men, Dereck Arnoldi dislocating his shoulder, and Jock Osier losing a tooth. So although the 1st XV record was not what we desired, the season must be considered a success for the club as a whole. As usual we are deeply indebted to Mr. Finnegan and his staff for the fine pitches, to Mr. Pitt for the immaculate equipment, to the Matrons for tending our wounds, and the kitchen staff for pleasant teas. Last but not least, I must mention the efforts of Gordon Archer, a cheerful and efficient team manager. LR.F. I 22

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1st XV This was, a strange season for the 1st XV. As the record shows we started with a bang, and at half-term were undefeated. But even at this stage there were signs that we might not be able to maintain this momentum, and as it transpired we did not. In our opening match against ' Vivat ' we looked most impressive. Our forwards were well on top, and one classic try from a backwind sticks in the memory. But in spite of the high score we showed weaknesses. Many opportunities with a two on one situation were frittered away and when Vivat had the ball our defence and cover looked rather brittle. Our Second game against St. George ' s was much as last year. We denied their dangerous backs possession by beating them up front. When one considers we were considerably outweighed in the forwards this was a great performance. But again the signs were there. Every time St. George ' s had the ball they looked extremely dangerous, and in some ways we were fortunate to win this game. Indeed we only did so because St. George ' s wasted several scoring opportunities. We must be considered unfortunate not to have won the first Shawnigan game. Again we gave the backs ample supply of the ball, but the forwards must be faulted for losing two vital ' heads ' that cost us the game. The backs met stout defence from the Shawnigan team, and time after time were pulled up on the goal line. Again we showed little penetration, but even so we were unfortunate merely to draw when Shawnigan intercepted a pass and ran 75 yards to score under the posts. In the second half things went awry, so at half-term we were undefeated, but considered ourselves a little lucky to be so. In the second St. George ' s game we were well outplayed up front. It is one of the peculiarities of Rugby that two teams can with scarcely a change in personnel, play so differently. A St. George ' s pack that we outplayed at Brentwood, went on the rampage and annihilated us in Vancouver. The defence of our backs always a little suspect, was called severely into question by the talented St. George ' s backs given unlimited ball. We were well-beaten! Against Shawnigan we once again played with great courage, but the game was remarkable in that for the second year running we lost two men early on and played most of the game with thirteen men. Again we tackled well and the covering, especially by Bayles, the only backrow forward, was near miraculous. Inevitably though we were gradually worn down and beaten. The final game, vs Vivat, was most exciting. With nothing at stake both sides threw the ball about with abandon, and although the score was not high, this was exhilirating football. Eventually we lost by 3 points in the closing minutes, but 24