RUGBY CLUB

Season 1937-38 has proved, if not a highly successful one, at least one on which the members of the Club can look back with a great deal of satisfaction, in that few games required to be cancelled.  Apart from the spell of snow and frost in December, nearly every Saturday and most practice days were fine, with the result that more football was played by the club than in any past season and enthusiasm was maintained right to the end of season.

Fortunately, too, we have managed since the start of the season to secure a number of extra figures to augment the scanty cards of the first and second year XV’s.  This has meant that every pupil in these classes has had opportunities of match play against other schools.

The Class I players were rather lighter than the average this year and consequently had to take several beatings from heavier opponents.  When matched weight for weight they usually managed to hold their own, though they were never so consistently good as last year’s teams.  They made slow progress at first but towards the end they were playing very well and reflected great credit on their coaches, Mr. Muir, Mr. Henderson and Mr. A. K. Reid.  All three first year teams contained players of promise, notably McFarlane, Taylor, Bowie, Morris, Hawkins, Addison, Jamieson ID, Black, Cardle and Carracher.

The 6th and 7th XV’s, under the charge of Messrs. McMichen and Murray, had many talented players particularly among the backs, who excelled both in defence and attack.  The forwards have still to learn the art of honest scrummaging, particularly in loose mauls.  Too many of them are anxious to shine in the open and neglect the essentials of good forward play.  Among the best players were Dee, McKenzie, Gray, Campbell and Russell, to mention only a few.

Dr. Smith had charge of the 3rd, 4th and 5th teams, who met with varying success.  In Stewart, McKenzie, I. Wilson and C. Irvine, the 3rd XV had players of distinct ability, who made good progress during the year.  The 4th and 5th teams inevitably suffered from much chopping and changing due to calls made on them for reserves for the senior teams.  Seldom did they turn out for the same team two consecutive weeks.  The 4th proved lacking in team spirit and lost narrowly several games which might have been won with a little more determination.  The 5th were a light side and had one or two very heavy defeats but they could play good rugby on occasion.

The second XV had a most depressing season, winning few games and seldom rising to great heights.  Rarely did they play with the whole-heartedness necessary to win matches and their lackadaisical play met with the reward it deserved.  The poor attendance of some members of this side at mid-week practices was largely responsible for this.  Boys must realise that on their own fitness depends the success of their side.

The 1st XV proved a somewhat uneven side.  They possessed a good deal of football talent which they did not always employ to the best advantage.  The forwards started the season poorly but when R. Scott returned to lead the pack they improved beyond all recognition, though they might have done more work in the set scrummages.  Parkinson excelled at the line-out, McIntyre at “hooking,” while Wilson’s goal-kicking on several occasions meant the difference between victory and defeat.  Guthrie and Scott were excellent wing forwards who covered up a multitude of other people’s sins and Blair and Shoolbread made a very solid second row pair.

The halves, Bald and Romanes, were sound without being brilliant.  Bald filled the role of captain capably but might have tried more on his own.  The centre three-quarters could be good, even brilliant, when they wished, but generally did not make full use of their strength and speed.  The wing positions had several occupants, of whom W. Wilson and R. Lambert were the best.  At full back Liddell performed exceedingly well, getting the side out of many a tight corner.

The team may be summed up as a good average side who might have done better with a little more vigour and resolution.  They were at their best against opposition that was either very strong or very weak, but could not be depended to win against teams of their own calibre.

The following 1st XV “Caps” were awarded:-  J. Bald (captain), 
J. Watson (vice-captain), J. Gibson, J. Blair, R. Scott, J. Parkinson, 
J. Guthrie, W. Liddell, J. Romanes, R. Wilson, E. McIntyre, L. Currie 
and L. Shoolbread.