Back row: GM (Geoff) Seale 6B1, DW ("Col") Collins 6M2, DG (David) Horley 6S1, MJ (Mike) Mason 5UR, M (Mike, "Taff") Harris 6M1, RE (Dick) Hickman 6T1, CF (Colin) Pass 6T1

Front row: IM (Ian) Macwhinnie 6M2, CS (Chris, "Griff") Griffiths 6M2, CJ (Chris) Packman 6M1, RW ("Fred") Harding 6S2 (captain), MF (Mark) Forrester 6M2, RA (Ron) Fewtrell 6M1, RG (Rodney Graham) Saunders 6M2.

All the players are identified in the May 1962 Wycombiensian.

From the Wycombiensian, May 1962:

Rugby 1st XV (Wycombiensian, May 1962, pps 294-296)

Played 23, Won 6, Lost 14, Drew 3, Points For 115, Points Against 234

As is obvious from the results, we have not, this year, had a very successful season. The team was founded at the start of the season on our old colours, one of whom J. A. Johnson, the captain, left half-way through the first term. The captaincy was then taken over by R. W. Harding, under whom we began to flourish. We were further disturbed by the fact that Mr. Nightingale, who has inspired the RGS 1st XV for four years, left to take up another appointment at Scarborough College at Christmas.

A few games stand out, for both good and bad reasons. In the first fixture of the season against Windsor G.S. we were vanquished for the first time in many years, as a result of bad tackling in the three-quarters, and inexperience in the forwards. Our other local rivals, Sir William Borlase's School, Marlow, surprised us with a remarkably strong team which showed up our faults immensely (0-9 in fact!). St. Benedict's beat us once again, and we lost to our new opponents, Hitchin Grammar School.

We could go on for another page on our defeats, but we will now turn to the more cheerful aspect of the season. Our first victory was against City of Oxford School, whom we beat 28-0. After another spell of defeats we began to win. The match against Abingdon School was probably the best of the season and for the first time the team co-ordinated smoothly and vigorously, victory being gained in the dying seconds. Further wins were accomplished against Luton G.S. and Leighton Park School, an old boys' match being very narrowly lost after an excellent first-half from our point of view.

During the Easter Term we turned our attentions to club and college sides, with one school match against Northampton G.S. which we narrowly lost. We beat Saracens Schools XV, but lost both our matches against Oxford Colleges, both of whom were very strong and outplayed us in all departments of the game.

The team was always at its best when the ball was being passed around, for there was no really outstanding talent in the side. Most of our points were scored by Fewtrell at fly-half and Forrester on the right wing. Fewtrell shone in attack, making excellent breaks, and kicked well all the season. Forrester with his powerful runs down the right wing was always a menace to the other side, though his defence was somewhat suspect. Both centres, C. J. Packman and R. W. Harding, were hard tackling and occasionally made some good breaks. Though not very fast, Seale G. M. was elusive. D. G. Horley at full-back played well all season and should be a great asset to the team in later years, especially when he learns to catch the ball before it bounces. C. S. Griffiths was reliable at scrum-half, his defensive play being outstanding. The front row of the scrum, consisting of D. W. Collins, M. J. Mason and R. E. Hickman, was able to withstand the roughest treatment, Mason hooking well, and D. W. Collins, who leads the scrum, setting a good example in the loose scrums. The second row, C. F. Pass and I. M. Macwhinnie, worked hard but were slow in following up the ball. The infant of the team M. Harris at lock, though inexperienced, played well in defence: and R. G. Saunders, the blind side wing-forward, was always up with the play. The ginger-haired vice-captain, P. J. C. Clark, playing at open-side wing-forward, tackled extremely well and stemmed many attacks before they became dangerous and also combined very well in attack.

Several others played for the team, Whitwham I. R. W., who played at scrum-half, being most worthy of mention.

[unattributed - at a guess, Mr C.M. Haworth]

			1st XV RUGBY FIXTURES 1961/62
Sat. Sept. 23			Windsor Grammar School	(A)	L		3	11
Sat. Sept. 30			St. Bartholomew's, G.S., Newbury	(H)	D		0	0
Sat. Oct. 7			St. Marylebone G.S.	(A)	L		0	3
Wed. Oct. 11			Watford G.S.	(H)	D		6	6
Sat. Oct. 14			St. Benedict's School	(H)	L		0	18
Sat. Oct. 21			City of Oxford School	(H)	W		28	0
Sat. Oct. 28			Sir William Borlase School, Marlow	(H)	L		0	8
Wed. Nov. 8			Tiffin School	(H)	L		3	21
Sat. Nov. 11			Watford G.S.	(A)	L		3	21
Sat. Nov. 18			Abingdon School	(H)	L		12	11
Wed. Nov. 22			Emanuel School	(H)	L		3	5
Sat. Nov. 25			Luton G.S.	(H)	W		10	3
Sat. Dec. 2			Leighton Park School	(A)	W		3	0
Wed. Dec. 6			Staff Match	(H)	W		6	0
Sat. Dec. 8			Hitchin G.S.	(A)	L		3	12
Wed. Dec. 13			A.W. Ralley's XV	(H)	L	0		8
	1962
Wed. Jan. 24			Metropolitan Police Cadets	(H)	L	0		3
Sat. Jan. 27			Saracens' Schools XV	(H)	W	8		6
Sat. Feb. 3			Balliol College, Oxford	(A)	L		6	21
Sat . Feb. 24			Northampton G.S.	(H)	L		5	8
Wed. Feb. 28			County XV	(H)	Cancelled
Sat. Mar. 3			Jesus College, Oxford	(A)	L	0		30
Sat. Mar 10			R.A.F. Halton Apprentices	(H)	D	10		10
Wed. Mar. 21			P.D. Fry's XV	(H)	L	6		29

 

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