Back row (left to right): RP (Dick) Jackson 5U, JC (Jerry) Cook 5T, G (Gordon, "Haggis") Black 5T, RJ (Rick) Waller 6M2J, PR (Pete) Beasley 5T, BP Llewellyn 6M2J, B Syms 6T2, DM (Dave) Child 6M1, KV (Kevin) Pickering 5T.
Front row (left to right): R ("Poy") Hongskula 5U, AP (Adrian) Broadway 6E, IRH (Ian) Pattinson 6M2J, LL (Laurie) Arnold 6S3, RO (Bob) Davies 5A, JB (Jeffrey Bernard) Smith 6S2, AGM (Alan, "Arthur") Haynes 6T1.

My thanks to Bob Davies for sending me the photo.

The Wycombiensian, May 1968, p353-354

2nd XV

Played 18, Won 11, Drawn 1, Lost 6; Points for 194, Against 78

The 2nd XV has enjoyed a very successful season - the captain losing the toss most of the time, and finding an exact correlation between losing the toss and winning the match. After a disappointing first game we hit a winning streak which lasted for five matches and included the humbling of the much-feared St. Benedict's side (the first time for four years!) - the forwards, in getting the better of a heavier and more experienced pack, played with a fire and determination which spread throughout the team, and in the dying seconds of the match turned a one point deficit into victory with a push-over try.

Defeats in the next three matches were partly caused by the team's heavy toll of injuries at this time. A resounding win was notched against Vyners School 1st XV, and our score could easily have been doubled but for atrocious handling in the three-quarter line. A very tough and tight game away to Henley G.S. 1st XV was won by a single penalty, scored by a prop in the absence of our regular and very reliable place kicker, Hongskula. Although dwarfed by the Metropolitan Police Cadets, (their serum-half was bigger than most of our forwards!), we won 8-6 away at their Hendon ground in a strong swirling wind that made open rugby difficult.

Early in the season we lost Cowell (who started the season as captain), and we regularly missed Pattinson and Cook, all to the doubtful glory of 1st XV duty. Both Broadway and Haynes have distinguished themselves throughout the season by playing a brand of exciting rugby which has earned them, as hooker and prop respectively, more tries than the whole of the three-quarter line!

The pack worked well together, and by the end of the season their weakest point, the loose play, which centred around the effervescent Cook, showed a remarkable improvement. The back-row were untiring chasers, worrying the opposition and pouncing on mistakes. Jackson proved very safe at full-back and earned tribute from more than one opposing captain. The three-quarters had a poor season, due mainly to an inability to field the same line for two consecutive matches, but when they clicked, they proved the worth of the team (which had always been liberally proclaimed by the pack leader throughout the season!)

I know the team has enjoyed its rugby very much, and the experience gained by the younger members of the side will be of great value to them in the 1st XV next season.

The following played regularly:-
L. L. Arnold* (captain), I. R. Pattinson*, R. Davies, A. Broadway*, J. Smith*, A. Haynes*, B. Syms, B. Llewellyn*, P. Beasley, J. Cook*, R Hongskula*, N. Miles*, R. Jackson*, R. Waller*, K. Pickering*, D. Child.

L.L. Arnold

 

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