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

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somehow it was one of those games when the score did not really seem to matter. So ended a strange season when, having been unbeaten at half-term, we failed to win one of our return matches. I have already analysed the main reasons. Without wishing to offer excuses, I would say that we have been hit badly by the policy of playing all the games before Christmas, When the games are back to back there is little time to recover from injury. We have been unlucky with injuries in the last two seasons, and so key players have missed several games. Anyway we hope for better success next season. I.R.F. First XV Playing Record P 14 FOR 261 Staff XV Occasional XV AGAINST 171 Draw 14 - 14 Lost 14-19 U. Vic Frosh XV Internationals XV Royal Roads XV St. Michaels University St, George ' s Shawnigan Lake School St. George ' s Windermere SSS 100 Mile House SSS Old Boys XV Shawnigan Lake School St. Michaels University INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GAME REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS Victoria u 19 Team VS Vancouver won Cl 1 Won OA O Q - Won 36 - U Won 25 7 Won 13 - iU Draw 10 1 n Lost 6 on Won 43 Q O Won 32 J Lost 0 - 20 Lost 4 -22 Lost 9 - 12 Victoria u 1 7 Team Stewart Campbell Dereck Arnoldi VS Vancouver Robert Williams (Captain] Bruce Halliday RUGBY CRITIQUES 1971-72 1st XV BAYLES, Murray (Captain and No. 8) Murray was completely dedicated at all times, pushing himself in training and never giving up in matches. His performance in the 2nd Shawnigan game, (when with two men injured, he remained the only back row forward), will rank as one of the greatest by a Brentwood forward. I would suggest a move to the front row in Senior football for he has not quite the speed and flair for a Senior No. 8. His love of hard work, his tireless covering, his sleight of hand in the close stuff, his abihty as a backup jumper, but most of all his sheer guts — all these make him ideally suited for a prop. STEWART, Reg (Prop) Reg has an uncanny ability to be at the right spot at the right time, and this must be attributed to a sense of anticipation and a lot of desire. He wants to get there! His weakness is the set scrum, and he should work on this. This one failing, however, is more than offset by his other attributes. He may find it tough going in Senior Rugby because of his lack of size, but one of the best tighthead props in B.C. (Hawkins of Oak Bay) is not much bigger. ARNOLDI, Derek (Hooker) Derek could usually be relied on to take a few heads, and rarely lost his own. Another tireless worker who always got there, tackling well and driving into the loose. A lack of size, however, was a severe handicap in these encounters. Mention must be made of his lineout work: (a) he worked hard at his throwing in techniques and developed a good understanding with his jumpers, (b) he was a great harasser when the opposition won the ball. So effective was this aspect of his game, that we moved him after injury to B side WF where he performed quite creditably. WEBSTER, Lex (Hooker) Lex is a raw-boned hooker who has a very fast strike, and who is very lively in the loose. When the 1st XV pack went flat about halfterm, he was one of those brought up from the 2nd XV who injected some much- needed life, and it proved impossible to drop him. A tiger when the opposition have the ball, and very determined in the Scots tradi- tion with the ball at his feet. I hope he continues to play after leaving Brentwood. VAN EEUWEN, Dwaine (Prop W fwd) Dwaine started as an open side wing forward, but his weaknesses soon became apparent. His hands were more than a little suspect, and he failed to read the game. The move to prop has, however, proved an unqualified success, and his future in the game will undoubtedly lie in his continuing in this position. He has an impressive physique and is completely dedicated to training (his placing 3rd in the Senior Cross Country was not altogether a surprise to his Rugby and 25

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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

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Rowing coaches). He enjoys the contact and the man to man aspect of front row play. His speed around the field and his tremendous desire will make him a prop to be reckoned with once he has served his apprenticeship and learned the tricks of his trade. MO RAN, Mike (Prop) Mike has matured considerably since last year, and was much less shy of contact. His set work is quite good but he is still inclined to enter rucks with his head in the air. He has good hands, and is quite quick, but was not in as much evidence as he should have been. I suspect this was because (a) he was part of a small pack, and (b) he was rarely stronger than his opposite number. He should work on his strength and play Senior Rugby, because he has the makings of a good club man. He took his demotion admirably, and has always shown a great spirit and willing- ness. CAMPBELL, Stewart (2nd Row) Stewart at last finally realised the promise he showed as a Junior Colt, and played well, particularly in the Lineout. Most of his problems stem from his lack of weight. He is just not heavy enough to generate power in the 2nd row, and drive forward a loose scrum. Even in the lineout he was knocked about in spite of good support from his props. He would have made a good back-up man, but because of our lack of size, we had to use him for most of the power plays. That he failed was not his fault. That he did so well is a tribute to his desire. HENNIGER,Jim (2nd Row) Jim gave everything and was unrecognisable from last year. Indeed, he showed improvement throughout the season and gave an impressive performance in the House matches. He is of good physique, but has not yet learned to use his weight. He packs too high and enters rucks with his head in the air. In the lineout he does not time his jump well and has not yet learned to snatch the ball out of the air without being impeded. Once he masters these techniques he would prove a force next season. STUCKLEBURGER, Wayne (2nd Row) Wayne began Rugby only in September, yet by the end of the season he was playing for the 1st XV. (How one regrets he did not play last year!) He is, of course, far too small for 2nd row, but generated far more shove than the bigger players. He quickly mastered the techniques of picking up the loose ball and wedging, and he is mobile with good hands. Young players could do well to watch him enter a ruck — body bent over, looking for the ball, and pulling in with his arms. I have the greatest admiration for his techniques (learned incredibly quickly) and regret only his lack of size. He reminded me very much of Frazer Cameron who eventually moved into the Back Row. Wayne should continue with the game and consider a similar move. THOMPSON, John (2nd Row) Of impressive physique, but not quite the desire. He had some very good games, but had a bad patch after half term. It was difficult to pin down just what was the problem, but I suspect that with a light pack he had to work so hard that he had little left for the loose. On occasions he got annoyed, and dealt with the opposition in a most impressive manner, but often he allowed himself to be demoralised. Another player who suffered from being part of a light pack, for when on top he looked very good. WILLIAMS, Robert (B Side W. fwd Inside Centre) Robert is small but certainly plays his weight. Probably the hardest tackier on the team, he was utterly fearless leaving a wake of destruction both as wing forward and centre. Unfortunately these kamakazi techniques often left him prostrate as well! Although defence is undoubtedly his forte, he is no mean attacking player being quite quick, with an eye for the gap, and being a good passer. A useful utility man who can play almost anywhere. This attitude will make him an invaluable Club player in spite of his lack of size. SMITH, Tyler (Open Side W.fwd) Tyler also is small, but big in the thigh. Another fearless tackier but possessed of considerable attacking ability also. He gets inside the wing, but is still slow to pick up the ball when play breaks down. He is, of course, inexperienced but improved sufficintly through the season to make his spot on the 1st XV. He is one of the few Grade X ' s to play in a 1st XV pack and that he did, is a tribute to his desire and interest in the game. If he grows in the summer he could be a force next year. ALLESTER,Jeff (Fullback) Once again due to stand off problems, which necessitated moving the regular fullback to standoff, Jeff found him- self wearing the No. 15 shirt on the 1st XV, instead of No. 1 or No. 3! Ideally built for a 26