Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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THE 2nd XV Standing - L. to R. — M. Gillies, S. Duyvewaardt, M. Nimmo, P. Assu, J. Martin, R. Eidsvik, M. Swann, M. Jinnouchi, Mr. D.W. Hyde-Lay. Seated - L. to R. — M. Kornell, G. Penley, A. Drassinower (Capt.), D. Johnston, D. Davies. On the Ground — R. Hemsworth, A. Forster - absent P. Offereins. 16

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these two created were not forced home. Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, the backs were provided with plenty of possession which was often squandered and wasted by poor reading of the game situation. One of our main strengths lay on the wings where both Brad Ostrom and Alasdair Cunningham were big, fast and strong. They scored some excellent tries, especially Ostrom, but undid much of their good work with poor positional play in defence, allowing their opposi te numbers too much room to manoeuvre and this proved to be fatal on more than one occasion. This was a pity as the two centres, Mark Olesen, the captain, and David Shore were very safe in all aspects of defensive play, and their tackling, especially Shore ' s, was frequently devastating. They both ran well but were not always reliable in their handling and passing. The two halfs, John Bird and Lionel Wild combined well enough but Bird, at fly-half, ran too flat and forced his backs across the field, and while he certainly had some good games, he too often kicked when he should have passed and vice versa. Making the correct decision at this key position is probably one of the hardest things in the game to learn and only comes with experience. John will become a good fly-half if he perseveres. His partner at scrum-half, Lionel Wild, started off the season very well and always gave a good service from both the set and the loose. He also ran strongly from the base or ruck and maul but failed to link up with the back row support that was invariably with him. Chris Crossfield was the full back and played some excellent games, especially early on, but there is a brittleness about his play which he must certainly eradicate if he wishes to make full use of his talents. He was the team kicker and kicked a number of very good goals. Mark Olesen was an excellent captain. We were lucky to have a captain of his temperament and character to lead the XV during what must have been, to him especially, a frustrating season. At no time did he allow his team to become downhearted and he always set a fine example of sportsmanship and enthusiasm both on and off the field. With only grade eleven on the side, prospects for next season might not appear to be too bright. However it will be most interesting to see which boys emerge as the leading candidates for the other 14 positions and I will be very surprised if a good side does not emerge from what I am sure will be an enthusiastic struggle. D.H-L. 15-

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The 2nd XV was not a strong team and won only two of its nine matches. Again like its older brother the 1st XV, it lacked experience and size and usually found itself playing much of the game on defence. Now and then it was able to raise the level of its game and when in such a mood played very well. Such was the case in the return St. George ' s fixture when the team became alive in the latter stages of the match and, playing with a verve and dash it did not realise it possessed, won an exciting match by a point in the last moment of the game. Abie Drassinower captained the side from scrum-half and seldom had the same side with him for two consecutive games. Such is the lot of the 2nd XV captain! It seems to happen each year and lucky is the captain who leads the side in a year when there is good depth or when the 1st XV has a season relatively free from injury. A number of players gave yeoman service throughout the season, in particular David Davies, Mark Kornell, John Martin and Philip Offereins in the pack and Gordon Penley, Michael Gillies, Steven Duyvewaardt and Dean Johnston in the backs. Mark Jinnouchi, new to the game, showed great progress and promise too and as almost all of these players will be returning next season, they should be strong contenders for places on the 1st XV. D.H-L. THE 3rd XV The third fifteen were fortunate this year in having a keen group of young men. The season was marked by good team play and some fine individual performances. The backfield was highlighted by the drive and scoring pattern of the centres, John Forstrom and Gavin Fitch. The forwards could play excellent rugby when inspired by such forces as Bart Lawrence, Redmond Goody and Phil Cook. The unity of the team was assured through the strong leadership of the scrum-half and Captain, Patrick MacLachlan. The season was, on balance, successful and enjoyable. J.S.G. 17