Back row: PA (Pat) Taylor (touch judge) 6C5?, JH Dawes 6B2, M (Mark) Forrester 6M1, PJC ("Ginger") Clark 6M2, E (Eric) Holdship 6M2, VW (Vaughan) Punton 6S3, JH (John) Comer 6M2.

Front row: RR Parsons 6S2, RAO (Ralph) Stockwell 6M2, JS (John, "Hoss") Simpson 6B4, AW (Arthur) Ralley 6S3 (capt), RFJ (Ray) Quirke 6M3, JA (Jim) Johnson 6S2, MF Turner 6S2.

All the players are identified in the May 1961 Wycombiensian.

From the Wycombiensian, May 1961:

1st XV

Played 20, Won 12, Lost 7, Drawn 1; Points for 197, against 147.

This past rugby season has been dominated by the weather. From the first game the ground has varied from wet to very wet and consequently the team became very proficient under these conditions.

Generally, the pack has been well above average, owing mainly to A. W. Ralley’s leadership. In the line-outs, however, the team has had to rely too much on J. S. Simpson’s excellent jumping and, in the set scrum, the ball has often been too slow in making an appearance. These are small but valid criticisms which have, in most games, been overshadowed by a high standard of play.

The back division has been affected by the muddy grounds. Conventional moves have paid off, for it is difficult to be clever with a slippery ball, and this has tended to take away the sparkle that was hoped for from the three-quarters.

With A. W. Ralley, the captain, hooking, and E. Holdship and R. Parsons propping, the front row were difficult to beat and were well supported by the heavy second row forwards, V. Punton and R. Stockwell. J. Simpson, as number 8, played outstandingly well all the season in every respect of the game. J. A. Johnson and M. Turner, the wing forwards, tackled well and were very fast on the loose ball.

J. Comer at scrum-half was a strong and elusive runner, although the service from the base of the scrum was rather slow at times. This often allowed the three-quarter line little room to move, but J. Seale at stand-off scored many tries by determined, jinking, solo runs. R. Harding and P. Clark in the centre were both purposeful and thrusting, but the passing lacked finesse in many games. However, these two are potentially good and we are hoping that by next season we shall have two centres that are outstanding .

R. Harding was, in fact, selected for the senior Bucks County XV, but we thought him too young this year for county rugby. R. Quirke is probably one of the most improved players in the team. His speed, strength and straight running have made him a formidable wing. On the right wing Forrester looks a promising boy and has scored a number of tries by virtue of his speed . With more experience he should develop into a very useful player.

At the start of the season we had no full-back and J. Dawes was put in this position and has played creditably. His kicking lacked strength, but his positional play has been very good.

It would be unfair not to mention J. C. Bowman; although he did not get a regular place in the side or achieve his colours, he played in many games and a variety of positions with good humour and considerable competence.

Two new fixtures were arranged, the first against the Staff, not altogether new, but the last time the match was played was in 1950. The School XV played probably their worst game, but managed to win 6-0. The other fixture was against a County “A” XV, but here the School found it very difficult to gain possession in set scrums and line-outs, for the opposition were taller and heavier than the boys. Nevertheless some very attractive rugby was played, but the School lost 6-20.

The most notable game of the season was against Leighton Park. It was played in appalling conditions, but our superior play in the forwards gained the School a well-deserved victory. Northampton Grammar School defeated us soundly and were superior in every aspect of the game. However, I think that on a wet day we should have acquitted ourselves far better.

The season has been generally most satisfactory and this has in no small way been due to Ralley’s excellent captaincy. He has kept the team together and has always expected a good turn-out for practice, determination on the field and a smart appearance from the team.

D.T.N[ightingale]

			1st XV 1960/61
S	Sept.	24	Windsor G.S ....			...	H	Won	20- 8
S	Oct.	1	St. Bartholomew's G.S.			...	A	Drawn	8- 8
S	"	8	St. Marylebone G.S ....			...	H	Won	13- 3
W	"	12	Watford G.S ....		...	...	A	Won	9- 3
S	"	15	St. Benedict's G.S.			...	A	Lost	3-15
S	"	22	City of Oxford School				H	Won	11- 0
S	Nov.	5	Sir William Borlase's School ...				A	Won	19- 0
W	"	9	Tiffin School		...	...	A	Won	8- 6
S	"	12	Watford G.S ....		...	...	H	Won	11- 8
S	"	19	Abingdon School		.. .	· ..	A	Won	11- 5
W	"	23	Emanuel School		.. .	...	A		Cancelled
S	"	26	Luton G.S.		.. .	...	A	Lost	6- 8
S	Dec.	3	Leighton Park School			.. .	H	Won	13- 6
W	"	14	P. J. Muller's XV			...	H	Lost	11-14
S	Jan.	21	R.A.F. Halton Apprentices			...	A	Lost	3-12
S	"	28	Saracen's Schools XV			· ..	A	Won	9- 3
S	Feb.	4	Balliol College, Oxford			."	A	Lost	8-10
S	"	25	Jesus College, Oxford			...	A		Cancelled
W	Mar.	8	County" A" XV		...	...	H	Lost	6-20
S	"	11	Northampton G.S.		...	· ..	A	Lost	6-17
W	"	22	P. D. Fry's XV		.. .	...	H	Won	14-11
			Staff XV	...		.. .	H	Won	6- 0

Any comments on the 1960/61 rugby 1st XV team, pictured above? If so, please email me. Email

 

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