Back row: S (Simon) Fone 6T2, GM (Geoff) Seale 6B2, CF (Colin) Pass 6T2, RHE ("Bone") Ham 6S2, MJ (Mike) Mason 6T1, R (Robert) Fountain 6S2, MJ (Martin) Malec 6B1, IRW (Ian) Whitwham 6M3.

Front row: CJ (Chris) Packman 6M2, RE (Dick) Hickman 6T2, IM (Ian) Macwhinnie 6M3, MF (Mark) Forrester 6M3, M (Mike, "Taff") Harris 6M2, RA (Ron) Fewtrell 6M2, DG (David) Horley 6S2.

All the players are identified in the May 1963 Wycombiensian.

From the Wycombiensian, May 1963:

1st XV

Played 16, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Points for 127, against 158.

Much has been said and written about this winter with regard to its effect on sport, so I will just mention that it curtailed nearly all attempts to play rugby in the second half of the season . Thus most of our games against club and college sides were cancelled, the exceptions being one game against Wycombe Rugby Club “A” side and of course the usual seven-a-side tournaments played at the end of term. [The winter of 1962/63 is famous for being one of the coldest and snowiest on record - JS]

The team started off in fine form against Windsor G.S . and showed ability to play football, which did not make itself apparent for many more matches. After playing well in the first game, the school three-quarter line completely lost cohesion both in attack and defence, and only when Horley moved from full-back into the centre did any semblance of a real defence show in their play. After many experiments to find a suitable combination in the centre, the arrival back in the team of Fone after injury seemed to bring back some of the drive in attack and solidity in defence.

On the right wing Forrester showed glimpses of pace when given room to move, but seemed to have lost the fire and dash of last year. Malec on the other wing lacked pace, but made up for this by determined running and sound defence.

If any strength showed in the backs it was because of the ability of Fewtrell and Whitwham to combine well as half-backs. Whitwham, lacking in stature, gave a good service and his kicking from the base of the scrum and from the line-out showed a maturity beyond his years. Fewtrell started the season very quietly and it wasn’t until later when he gained confidence in his own ability that he showed his true worth. Perhaps his best game was the last of the season against Wycombe “A”, when he virtually dictated the pattern. of play throughout the game.

No player could possibly dictate the pattern of play without having possession of the ball, and thus the hooking of Mason must be mentioned. He, ably supported by Hickman and Macwhinnie, have proved a formidable trio in the front row. These three have formed the basis of a pack which has gradually improved throughout the season.

In the second row, Ham and Pass have proved an able combination. Ham in the line-out has been quite outstanding, especially towards the end of the season. Pass, on the other hand, has proved to be a very mobile second-row forward.

In the back row, Harris, Fountain and Davies have worked hard and shown the ability to produce intelligent back row play.

[unattributed]

			1st XV RUGBY FIXTURES 1962/63
Sat. Sept. 22			Windsor Grammar School	(H)	W		21	9
Sat. Sept. 29			St. Bartholomew's, G.S., Newbury	(A)	L		11	12
Wed. Oct. 3			Northampton G.S.	(A)	L		6	26
Sat. Oct. 6			St. Marylebone G.S.	(H)	L		6	14
Wed. Oct. 10			Watford G.S.	(A)	L		0	6
Sat. Oct. 13			St. Benedict's School	(A)	L		3	13
Sat. Oct. 20			City of Oxford School	(A)	W		16	3
Sat. Oct. 27			Sir William Borlase School, Marlow	(A)	W		10	8
Wed. Nov. 7			Tiffin School	(A)	L		6	28
Sat. Nov. 10			Watford G.S.	(H)	W		6	3
Sat. Nov. 17			Abingdon School	(A)	W		9	6
Wed. Nov. 21			Emanuel School	(A)	L		0	16
Sat. Nov. 24			Luton G.S.	(A)	W		3	0
Sat. Dec.1			Leighton Park School	(H)	D		11	11
Wed. Dec. 5			Staff Match	(H)	L		3	8
Sat. Dec. 8			Hitchin G.S.	(H)	Cancelled
Wed. Dec. 12			R W. Harding's XV	(H)	L	0		5
	1963
Sat. Jan. 19			RA.F. Halton Apprentices	(A)
Sat. Jan. 26			Saracens' Schools XV	(H)
Wed. Jan. 30			Metropolitan Police Cadets	(A)
Sat. Feb. 2			Balliol College, Oxford	(A)	Cancelled
Sat . Feb. 9			Newlands Park	(H)
Sat. Feb. 10			St. Nicholas G.S., Northwood	(H)
Wed. Feb. 20			Metropolitan Police Cadets	(H)
Sat. Mar. 2			Jesus College, Oxford	(H)
Sat. Mar. 16			High Wycombe R.U.F.C. 'A' XV	(A)	W	16		6

 

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