Rugby Colts XV
(1969-70)

In last year's Junior Rugby report it was hinted that the team had possibly reached its peak in terms of results, and would find it increasingly difficult to win matches this year. This, in fact, proved to be the case, and the team experienced only an average season. There were two main reasons for this. First, the inability of the forwards to dominate meant a lack of possession, and secondly the backs were a little short of penetrative pace. Handling was often very sloppy, though this was often the fault of the man giving the pass, rather than the one taking it. Hughes And Harding worked hard in the forwards, but a general lack of mobility, together with the unwillingness of several boys to get involved, meant that the pack hardly operated as such. All the forwards were guilty at some time or other of "fringing". when they should have been working hard for the possession the backs needed.

There were, however, some good things to come out of the season. Bond, at scrum-halt, proved to be tough and elusive, though he needs to work at his passing. Haynes, the full-back, improved with every game, and played two splendid games on tour, Mulholland ran hard and effectively on the wing, while Plowman played soundly, and proved to be a hard working and responsible captain. For the rest, they have the individual skill and the enthusiasm, all they lack is the ability to play for each other. They will play very good rugby as soon as they realise that they must work hard, together, throughout the eighly minutes

I. R. CLARKSON.