Unbeaten Rugby 1st XV 1965-66

Photo from Terry Mills. Thank you, Terry.

HGS First XV (Unbeaten) from 1965-66.

Back Row L-R: Roger Poole, Anthony (Bud) Abbott, Keith Shelley, John Fradgley, Peter Hryschko, Jack Burbeck, Peter Ryan, Michael Osborne
Front Row L-R: Neil Stone, Derek Coop, Jack Marston, Ken Johnson, Terry Mills, David Smith, David Fearnside

2 Match Reports:

1st XV v Crossley and Porter
Hemsworth Grammar School 1st XV beat Crossley and Porter 1st XV by 19 points to 10 at Halifax on Saturday in a disappointing game. Fielding a weakened side Because of injury, Hemsworth had their worst game of the season and were 10 pts down after 10 minutes from two converted tries by Crossley's. Hemsworth reduced the arrears from the restart following Crossley's second try. A kick to the right by Johnson caught the opposition napping and Fearnside scored an opportunist try. The Hemsworth forwards, lacking the drive and enthusiasm of their early matches, were beaten in the set play but held their own in the loose. Hemsworth narrowed the margin when Fearnside dodged past five defenders to touch down near the posts. Mills converted. Hemsworth launched attack after attack but they all failed mainly because of bad passing and handling. Near half-time Hemsworth took the lead when Mills converted a penalty. In the second half Hemsworth played with a little more enthusiasm and the forwards began to win more of the ball from the lines-out and set scrums. Fearnside scored his third try of the match when he intercepted a high pass and beat the Crossley's full back. Mills converted. Hemsworth made certain of victory when a kick ahead by Smith was well gathered by Marston who touched down in the corner.

1st XV v Hipperholme
Hemsworth Grammar School's 1st XV maintained their unbeaten record with a fine 34-3 win over Hipperholme G.S. 1sts at Hemsworth on Saturday.

In their ten games this season they have scored 228 points against 35. After a three weeks layoff the home team took a long time to regain their rhythm. The forwards and backs did not combine and many Hemsworth attacks fizzled out because of dropped or bad passes. Hemsworth opened the scoring when Fearnside sidestepped his way through the Hipperholme forwards to touch down near the posts. Mills converted. The home forwards with three newcomers, won the majority of the set scrums, but Hipperholme dominated the lineouts. Hemsworth increased their lead when Johnson dropped a fine goal. The visitors retaliated with an unconverted try following a bad pass by the Hemsworth backs which was intercepted. After a loose maul the ball was passed to Mills who scored an excellent try in the corner, Stone adding the extra points. Hipperholme stopped many Hemsworth attacks by quick tackling and good covering. Hemsworth were awarded a penalty try when Smith, who was following up a kick ahead, was obstructed. Stone converted. Hemsworth began to get into their stride towards the interval, and in the second half they looked a different side. Their forwards fought for possession in the lineouts and they blended better with their backs. From a passing movement by the backs Coop went over in the corner. Hipperholme were on the defensive for most of the half and their attacks were easily stopped. Hemsworth pinned the visitors on their line for long periods. The Hipperholme fullback, in haste to clear his line, kicked the ball straight into Fradgely's hands and he touched down in the corner. A fine kick by Stone struck an upright on its way over for the extra points. Hemsworth were now in complete command, and went further ahead when Marston crashed over in the corner from a penalty. Stone again converted with a fine kick. Hemsworth kept on the attack and just before the final whistle Lunn touched down when the home forwards pushed their opponents over their own line.