Douai Crest


DOUAI Rugby 1950 to 1959

1950 - 1951

          Standing; T.Kelly, M.Sinnott, C. J. Morton, F. Hartley, P.R.Barsby, B.A..Orsi, M.P.Ingle, J.F.Spence.
      Seated; S.O.Mahoney, E.J.Horgan, R.S.Evans, W.P.Duckney (capt), P.J.Halligan, A.de Groot, D.J.Barter.

P 15 W 7 D 0 L 8 F 131 A 126

At the start of the season, the success of 1950 - 51, would depend on the finding of an adequate back division, as the previous incumbents had now left, mostly early. With Fr Anthony Baron now taking the team over, W P Duckney again captained the side, and maintained his reputation as a leader in word as well as example, tolerating no nonsense, and contributing to the good fighting spirit which never gave up.
Once again, the Schools matches showed six wins, and four lost, with a points margin of 143 - 70. In the overall results, however, the School lost to a number of club teams, who had strengthened their squads, after being beaten the previous year.
E Horgan hooked better than ever, and with Capt.W P Duckney on one side, and C J Morton (an ex back) on the other, he filled a gap adequately. A de Groot and P Barsby slotted in as second row, with T Kelly (later Fr Timothy), and Sean O'Mahoney and F Hartley or J Spence operating well in the back row.
P Halligan at fly half, in his third season, was the main strike force, with a wonderful pair of hands, a natural eye for an opening, a good kick for touch, and sound in defence. The perfect fly half, - but the problem was in finding a scrum half to go with him - and B A Orsi, one of the most gifted players ever to take the field for the School, got the job. Originally a centre, Orsi soon learned the role and improved with every match.
R S Evans, took over from D Barter, as he failed to find the form of the previous season, and with M P Ingle on the wing, we were at first a formidable force. When Halligan left at Christmas, the side crumbled, and we were soundly beaten by the club sides that we had beaten hitherto.
The match against the Old Dowegians was cancelled.
Colours were awarded to R S Evans.

School: D Barter; M P Ingle, M Sinnott, R S Evans, A N Other; P Halligan, B A Orsi; W P Duckney, Capt., E Horgan, C J Morton, A de Groot, P R Barsby, T Kelly, S O'Mahoney, J Spence, F Hartley.

1951 - 1952

          Standing; W Balchetchet P S Griffith M Lund-Yates P Cranfield I Lloyd D Ross J Skinner B Waghorn.
                          Seated; I Young P Barsby B Orsi C J Morton (Capt), M Ingle T Kelly F Ward

P 14 W 9 D 1 L 4 F 161 A 92

Hopes ran high at the beginning of the season, when everything clicked into place during practice games, with fair promise of a really efficient back division, as well as competent forwards. I Young to scrum half, F Ward to fly, with B A Orsi and P S Griffith in the centre, and flanked by M P Ingle and D Ross. Alas, Griffith got injured on the eve of the first game, and the whole thing turned on its head. Young's undoubted pluck proved a barrier to his game, as his size was over - run by modern forwards, so B A Orsi was brought back to the position. Orsi was a majestic player, a veritable tiger to tackle, and one of the best players the School has ever had. He ranked alongside R M Cooper, R Pooley, M Sullivan and B Coope, and he had played in so many positions, scrum half, wing forward, fly half, and centre, and he was adept at all of them.
The Griffith - Ingle - Orsi triangle gave the backs positives, and Ingle and Griffith were top scorers, but Orsi had a hand in most of them.
At full back, B J Waghorn was always dependable, and will be a great asset next season.
The forwards were dependable, with M Lund - Yates and C J Morton, Capt., propping an ever developing W A Balhetchet. P Barsby and I Lloyd provide a huge shove, and P G Cranfield was a past master at being in the right place at the right time. T Kelly and J Skinner were also very mobile in the wing forward positions.
The Old Dowegian match which the School won 9 -3, was a titanic battle which the School just about shaded. In the end P Brett scored for the Old Boys, but there is no record of the players, unfortunately.

Colours were awarded to C J Morton, Capt., B A Orsi, M P Ingle, P R Barsby, T Kelly, and P S Griffiths, I Young and F Ward. (On a personal note, I am glad we awarded colours to Ian Young, as he was killed in a flying accident, almost as soon as he left School).

School: B J Waghorn; I Young, M P Ingle, P S Griffith, D M Ross; F Ward, B A Orsi; M Lund - Yates, W A Balhetchet, C J Morton, Capt., P R Barsby, I G Lloyd, T Kelly, P G Cranfield, J Skinner.

Douai Sevens Team 1952 - Rosslyn Park Quarter Finalists .
Left to right - Pat Griffith, Frank Ward (who became Fr Denis), Kit Morton, Ian Young (killed in a Fleet Air Arm trainee action, soon after leaving school), Paul Barsby, Tom Kelly (Fr Timothy, RIP ) and the great Bruno Orsi, living in Ireland.

Barsby and Kit propped Tom Kelly, Young was the scrum half, Ward was fly half, Orsi in the centre, and Griffith on the wing.



The overall success of this team was down to the morale that the Capt. engendered, and that was never better displayed than when the team set off for the Public Schools Sevens event at Richmond. In the first round Stowe were beaten, to their surprise! In the next round we were drawn against Dulwich. The Mail described the team as 'small but gallant' The Evening Standard classed them as 'giant killers'. In the end after two periods of extra time, Douai were again victorious. The next morning we were drawn against Mill Hill, and we won, yet again, - but when we came up against the losing finalists, Bedford, they were too strong for us, and we went out in the Quarter finals. What a day, though!

1952 - 1953

          Standing; W Balhetchet E Duckney P Jackson J Bird P M Griffith D Hopkin G Langin S O'Dwyer.
                 Seated; B Waghorn J Skinner P Cranfield C J Morton (Capt), P S Griffith I Lloyd D Ross

P 13 W 10 D 1 L 2 F 161 A 37
With ten victories, a draw, and two losses, the results speak for themselves. In School matches, only three tries were scored against the team, and only three more against Clubs. The 37 points against is the lowest points ever. These low scores were due mainly, but not entirely, to corner - flagging, and C J Morton, Capt,. or P G Cranfield who were always there to pick up the pieces.
This season, the backs let very little through, morale was always high, and the forwards, with their 'slipping' technique, were as knowledgeable a pack as Douai has ever fielded. W A Balhetchet, the hooker extraordinaire, had the best of exchanges in every match. P Jackson and C J Morton were of inestimable value, and with J Bird and I Lloyd, both over 6.2ft high, providing a very heavy push in the second row, and P G Cranfield at around 6.4ft in the middle of the back, the scrum was extremely solid. The wing forwards, J Skinner and E Duckney were as terrier - like as ever.
The gap, left at scrum half, was filled by S O'Dwyer, (now Fr Louis), a wing forward by nature. His partner was D Ross, at fly half, who he established a good working relationship with. The three - quarter who stood head and shoulders over the rest was P S Griffith, whose running was a joy to watch. His younger brother, P M Griffith also showed a similarity and would be with us for a few more years. D W Hopkin showed a lot of talent, in kicking as well as his ball handling, and P Langin always ran with determination.
At full back, B J Waghorn proved to be the admirable cover that a decent team requires, and his fielding and handling were all that could be desired.
The main credit for the team spirit, and its success, must be given to the Captain. He showed real leadership both in matches and in practice games. He was given more authority than many previous captains, with full power to choose the team and award colours, and he used it without fear or favour, never shirking an unpleasant decision.
He was ably backed up by P G Cranfield, his Vice - Capt, who was unlucky not to have had the chance of showing his own capabilities.
Colours were awarded to: P G Cranfield, J Skinner, I G Lloyd, B J Waghorn, D M Ross, W A Balhetchet, and P M Griffith.

The game against the Old Dowegians was lost 0 - 5. The account does not include the actual teams who played, but D Ruane scored an intercepted pass, to post the only score.

School: B J Waghorn; D Hopkin, P S Griffith, P M Griffith, G Langin; D M Ross, S O'Dwyer; C J Morton, Capt., W A Balhetchet, P F Jackson, I G Lloyd, J Bird, E Duckney, P G Cranfield, and J Skinner.



The side entered the Public Schools Sevens once more. At practice, it was agreed that we would play a kicking game, and with two 6.4 men in the team, we were always in with a chance in the line - outs that followed. In the first game, we were drawn against Tiffin Grammar. As Surrey Champs, we thought it would be difficult. We won 9 - 0.
Reading School provided stiffer opposition, but we won 3 - 0.
We then found we were up against Uppingham, who we beat 5 - 0.
In the fourth round we found our opposition was Bedford School, who beat us last year. We expected severe opposition, and we got it, but with a solo try we were through!
In the quarter - final, we were up against the large King Edward's School, Birmingham. D Ross got over the line, with the ball tucked under his arm, - but he was ruled as not having touched it down properly. We went into extra time, but a King Edward's man got loose, - and we had lost, - yet again in the quarter - finals!
The Magazine waxes lyrical about the exploits of the two days. The Griffith brothers were magnificent, and so was D M Ross. B J Waghorn gave a cool and accurate service as scrum half, and P G Cranfield and I Lloyd ensured we got the line - outs sewn up. C J Morton hooked unexpectedly well, and despite everything, it was a fine achievement. It was a team disappointment, but the whole side are to be congratulated on an inspiring performance. Perhaps we will win it one day!

Team: P G Cranfield, C J Morton, Capt,. I Lloyd, B J Waghorn, D M Ross, P M Griffith, and P S Griffith.


1953-1954


P 12 W 3 D 0 L 9 F 48 A 140

We looked once more to a season that would be as good as its predecessors, but our hopes were sadly broken. A glance at the results showed that this season was a poor one. All our heavyweights of the past had now departed, and had left the side inexperienced, and lightweight. However, the team deserve great praise for the excellent spirit shown, and the results, if you looked at them carefully, showed that we only just lost several of them. In the Wimbledon game, a game which the previous team had thrown away, just as the ball was over the line, was only lost by 3 points to nil. And so it went on.

J Skinner, the Capt. always a terrier at wing forward, must be congratulated on leading a most unsuccessful side, and D W Hopkin, who took over after Christmas, did a similar job.
T
here was nothing wrong with the defence, the tackling improved steadily as the season progressed, and the art of corner-flagging was learnt and practised. So as time passed, we look forward with undiminished confidence to the future.
Colours were awarded to D W Hopkin, a well-merited recognition of his consistent good work with the side.
There is no mention in the annals of a visit to Richmond, so one can only guess that they were unsuccessful or did not attend.

School: J Moriarty; E Levantes, E Elgar, G Langin, I Lyster; D W Hopkin, C M Booth; T W Price, W A Balhetchet, J Richardson, T Barnard, G Chelley, J Skinner,Capt., A Renn, J P Murphy, S Gonzalez. C R Segal also played.

1954-1955

P 13 W 7 D 1 L 5 F 83 A 83
The results of E Duckney's, Capt., team showed something of a mixed bag. Duckney, emulating his brother, W P Duckney a few years earlier, was in his third year in the first XV, and he brought out his own vigorous leadership, as they fought hard through every match. At the start of the Season, there were weaknesses, particularly in the line outs, and the loose. However, these gradually got sorted out, and we saw the pack as an efficient fighting unit, its members working well together, and using their brains as well as their bodies.
In the backs, I Lyster and C R Segal made up an extremely sure last line of defence. In the back line, S Botcherby and J A Ross gave some good performances, and M Treays developed into a fast and original player, with a flare for doing the unexpected. J B Moriarty also played well, but his appearances were fitful, because of injury.
C M Booth and F Keating combined well at half back, but as it is so often the case, the forwards stole the show. T W Price, C B Gough, and E Duckney himself were always on top of their game, with A Renn proving very valuable in all departments. S Gonzalez proved an excellent hooker, and most intelligent in the loose.
The morale of this team could hardly have been higher, and E Duckney did his job very capably, and ranks among the best forwards the School has had over the years.
Colours were awarded to E Duckney, T W Price, A Renn and S Gonzalez.

The match against the Old Dowegians was a win for the School! The forwards, led by E Duckney, played extremely well, and against a team which included two County players and a number who played for Club 1st XVs, - it was no mean feat. C R Segal kicked well, and R Langin and J McNally both scored and the usual trio of Duckney, Price and Gough gave of sterling service in the pack. The feeling was that if the team had played as well as that, on other occasions, they would have been unbeaten!

School: (in no particular order) - E Duckney, Capt. A H Renn, T W Price, S Gonzalez, C B Gough, I N Lyster, A J Dobson, C M Booth, M Treays, F D'Arcy, S C Botcherby, R M Langin, J A Ross, F V Keating, E Levante, and C R Segal.

The School entered the Public School Sevens tournament and was called on to play Radley in the first round. The match went both ways, firstly to the School, then to Radley, and then to Radley again, all in the quarter of an hour allotted. In the end Radley triumphed, but only just!


1955-1956

                  Standing; C. Allanson, Sutty, F. D'Arcy. Butler, M. Wilkinson, J/ Kelly, D. O'Brien, S. Hughes
                Seated; F. Keating, E. Levante, C.R. Segal, C. B. Gough (capt), A. Dobson, M. Treays, J. Ross

P 13 W 7 D 0 L 6 F 121 A 123
A season in which seven matches were won, can hardly be written off as a complete failure, but last season the end came with a feeling of disappointment. Were we unlucky, or did the failure to push home an advantage prove our undoing?

A weakness at full back manifested itself first, when tries suddenly came from kicks ahead, from which there was no response. C Allanson proved the solution, and fielded balls as we know a cricketer can do. The backs showed great promise, with C R Segal in the van, and he gave several scoring opportunities to E Levante. M Treays played well at centre, having been moved from outside half, and combined well with his wingers, J Anderson, and T Burnham.

At scrum half, F Keating, provided a long pass to his fly half, J A Ross, who came off the wing to steal the position. In fact, Ross played in every position in the backs, and while he always played an appropriate game, he could occasionally have a dreadful period, when nothing went right.

The forwards, were well led by C B Gough,Capt. His front row, were solid enough, made up of M Sutty, S Hughes, and J Warren, and it must be said that Hughes was only out hooked once in the season. C B Gough and F D D'Arcy locked them into the pack, and J Dobson, D O'Brien and J Kelly proved a lively set of back row players.

Gough as Captain did a very good job, and was seen at his best when things were going badly. By word and example he did all in his power to get the best out of his pack.

Colours were awarded to: C R Segal, A Dobson, E Levante, M Treays.

School team, in no order of position: C B Gough, Capt., C R Segal, A Dobson, E Levante, M Treays, F V Keating, J A Ross, C Allanson, M Sully, F D'Arcy, C Butler, M Wilkinson, J Kelly, D O'Brien, S E Hughes.

There is no mention in the Magazine of any sevens involvement.

1956-1957

P 15 W 6 D 0 L 9 F 101 A 155
From all the comments written about C R Segal's side, the one thing that emerges is that too many people were playing in the wrong positions at the start of the season. Even the Captain, C R Segal, found himself at full back, then centre, then full back again, but he was sufficiently well noted and was picked for the London Schoolboys team, in both the Christmas and Easter holidays. Segal had an enormous kick on him, and he used it well, but it couldn't cover everything.
In the early days, tackling was an issue, but the team settled somewhat, and then all the changes seemed to commence again. In total, some 27 players played for the first team, and although they won some 5 games against Schools, they also lost the same amount. So it can only be regarded as a modest year, in terms of results.
At varying times, J F O'Donnell played well in a variety of positions, M Horgan, at fly half, looked the part, and unfortunately J Anderson and R Barnsley were out on too many occasions. A Chetwynd-Chatwin at scrum half (promoted from the Colts team), proved a useful player, and N Wainford on the wing, proved difficult to stop. C Allanson, when the Captain allowed him, unfortunately didn't play a steady game at full back, and M Masters superseded him.
In the forwards, we had a dependable front row, in R Morton, S Hughes and M Wilkinson, and they made their presence felt in the loose. P Hutchings and R Mackenzie did much the same work in the second row, and at the back, A J Dobson proved admirable in defence. He was ably supported by D O'Brien, who was a most devastating tackler - and attackers didn't want to progress further if he was coming for them!
Colours were awarded to S E Hughes

There was no match against the Old Dowegians this year.

School team in no particular order : C R Segal, Capt.,A J Dobson, D O'Brien, S E Hughes, M J Horgan, M S Wilkinson, R Morton, J A Mackenzie, P G Hutchings, A Plant, M Gundry, J F O'Donnell, R Barnsley, M Masters, J Faustmann, C Wearing, J A Anderson, A Chetwynd-Chatwin, H Chediak, A J Stodart, N Wainford, C Allanson, J Duggan, J Ashdown, D Ward, P Walshe, and G Rhys-Jones.

The School entered the Sevens Competition at Oxford. In the first round, the first Vll were up against Lord Williams, Thame, who we beat, - but did not impress in the process. We lost to Newbury Grammar in the next round.
At Richmond, with Horgan and Segal now available, we hoped for greater things. The first round was against Culford, who we beat easily, with Anderson scoring well.
Our second round was against Sherborne, an exciting game in which we were ahead, and then behind. In the end, we were awarded a penalty, some forty yards out - it missed by a couple of feet!
Colours were then awarded to D O'Brien and M J Horgan.

1957 -1958

       Standing; C.H. Huntley, M.L. Hills, R.P.Hirst, P.D.Filmer , D.R.Norman, J.P. McCarthy, N.P. Wainford,
    Seated; C.W. Hopkins, A. Rawlingson-Plant. M. J. Horgan(Capt), J. A. Anderson, R. P. Barnsley D.J. Allanson
                                                Front: M. J. Welch J. Chetwynd-Chatwin
P 16 W 13 D 0 L 3 F 200 A 81
A most satisfying season was enjoyed by the First XV, who won 13 out of 16 matches, and in matches against Schools, won nine out of 10. The success of the side was the due to the best back division since the war. With M J Horgan as Captain, and full back, he was the most outstanding player, capable of fielding well, and he could kick with both feet. He had spent most of his earlier years at centre and fly half, and it all bore fruit, as he always managed to open the game up, and give the other backs the lift which they needed.
The wings, J A Anderson and N Wainford scored 22 tries between them, and Anderson, with his swerves and acceleration just beating Wainford. The centres, R A Barnsley and M J Welch were devastating tacklers, and D Allanson at fly half had the most beautiful dummy and side step, and could produce an electrifying turn of speed, which totally baffled opponents. A Chetwynd-Chatwin at scrum half was not a showy player, but solid, with a good pass and sound in defence.
So when we say that they were the best backs the School has ever produced, it was the combination of the whole. The School may have had individuals who have been better, but as a whole, this back division were the best.
In the forwards, they were not quite the high standard of the backs - a rare event at Douai, but they got the ball out at the right times, and the backs went over the line! R P Hirst and J A Stodart were always in the mix as props, and with P D Filmer and D R Norman providing a healthy push from the second row, and C W Hopkins providing line out ball, the pack did their bit. In the back row, A Plant and C Huntley were terrier-like in their search for the ball.
This team must rank highly amongst the sides Douai has produced, and the spirit M J Horgan created and sustained was excellent, and he will go down as a first class Captain.
Colours were awarded to: R Barnsley, J A Anderson, M J Welch, D J Allanson, A H Chetwynd-Chatwin, A Rawlinson Plant and C Hopkins.

The game against the Old Dowegians was one of those, which this team actually lost to, playing against a strong team of Old Boys, whose names include C R Segal, B A Orsi, and P M Griffith.

School: M J Horgan, Capt., J Anderson, R Barnsley, M J Welch, N Wainford; D Allanson, A Chetwynd-Chatwin; C P Hirst, M L Hills, J A Stodart, P D Filmer, D R Norman, A Plant, C W Hopkins, C Huntley.

Sevens -This year we took two teams to the Oxford, Berks and Hants Competition. Our 2nd Vll knocked out Millfield in the first round, but came down to earth in the next round, losing to St George's Weybridge.
Our first Vll began by beating St Benedicts, Ealing 16-0, and followed up by beating Lord William's, Thame, 19-5. Our third round brought us against our old rivals Pangbourne, who we beat 18-5. In the quarter finals, against Reading, we were neck and neck but two scores finally killed them off. In the Semis, we found ourselves against Tiffins, who we beat 10-3, and so into the final. We came up against a large and fast Downside Vll, and in a thrilling game in which the scores ebbed to and fro, Anderson touched down under the posts, and Horgan converted. We were the lead school in the Counties!

We went to Richmond with high hopes. Marlborough, last years winners, were our first round opponents, and we came away with a win. Our second match was against Sherborne, and we won that one also. Our next match was Denstone, but our efforts the previous day went against us and we were beaten, just. It was disappointing after the Counties win, but we will come again!
Team: M J Horgan, R Barnsley, J Anderson, M J Welch, A Rawlingson Plant, A Chetwynd-Chatwin, C W Hopkin.


1958-1959

                     Standing; R.F.Hirst, C.A.Huntley, M.L.Hills, P.N. Walshe, J.P.McCarthy, J.F.Lowe
Seated; D.J. Allanson, R.P.Barnsley, A. Rawlingson-Plant, M.J. Horgan (capt), J.J. Anderson, A. Chetwynd-Chatwin, M.J. Welch.
                                                                      Front; J.S. Cochrane, C.J. Blackburn

P 16 W 11 D 1 L 4 F 229 A 90
With ten of last year's successful side returning, we expected a very high standard of play, and we were not disappointed. In the 11 School matches, 9 victories were recorded, as against nine out of 10 last season. However, it was the type of football played which showed the class of this team, and the try count went to 45 scored, with only 8 conceded, which also showed that there was little wrong with the level of defence.
M J Horgan, at full back, Captain for the second year, and the third in total, must get the credit for the success of the team. He obviously ranks extremely highly amongst the best of Douai Captains, both as a player and a captain. He was not alone, however. His centres were R P Barnsley and M J Welch, who both played even better than last year. Outside on the wing, was J A Anderson, who was not at this stage playing at his best, but he gathered pace at the end of the season. P N Walshe on the other wing, an improving player, who ran hard, and developed a very good swerve.
It was, however, the half backs who made the team the greatest set of backs the School had produced. D J Allanson and J A Chetwynd-Chatwin were magnificent. They were commented on as the best that had been seen at School level, and after Chetwynd-Chatwin had passed the ball, meticulously as ever, Allanson would demonstrate his running, swerving, and dummying skills to the opposition. He fully deserved his choice as fly half for the Scottish Schoolboys XV. It was always an absolute delight to see Allanson running at full pace.
The four forwards who had been regular members of the last year's team were all also on song. A R Plant, M L Hills, C H Huntley and R P Hirst all played their part in providing this wondrous set of backs with the ball, and they were well backed up by J P McCarthy, at hooker, playing alongside Hills and C Blackburn at prop, J F Lowe and R P Hirst in the second row, with C H Huntley and J S Cochrane at wing forward, with C Keeble who playing in the middle of the back row. They all did their part.

Colours were awarded to C H Huntley, M L Hills, J McCarthy, and P N Walshe.

The match against a strong set of Old Dowegians was lost 3-11, but the names of the Old Boys was not listed in the Magazine. Don Ruane, always a difficult player to bring down , Roger Segal, and Brian Waghorn are all mentioned as Old Boy opponents.

School team: M J Horgan, Capt.; J Anderson, M J Welch, R P Barnsley, P N Walshe; D Allanson, and A Chetwynd-Chatwin; M L Hills, J P McCarthy, C Blackburn, J F Lowe, R P Hirst, C H Huntley, C Keeble, J S Cochrane.

SEVENS
The School entered two sides in the Oxford Sevens. In the first round we met King Edward VI School, Nuneaton. After a slow start we came through, in extra time. Our second match was against Marling, where we were also behind, but again we came back and won the game. Our third round brought defeat by Tiffins, where we played into their hands and the mistakes cost us the game!

We also entered the Richmond Sevens event and the Manchester Guardian referred to the Seven as "a splendidly efficient Douai side, more wordly wise in the ways of Rugby Union football than most seen during three enthralling days".
The first game was against Sutton Valence, a big side, and one wondered if we would get our share of the ball. In the event Chatwin completely outhooked his opposite number, and Horgan and Plant won a more than adequate share of the ball. The speed of the backs did the rest, and scores by Allanson (2), Barnsley and Andersen, all converted by Horgan, gave us a 23-0 win.

Our next game was against Eastbourne, first round conquerors of Llandovery. Douai scored 13 points in the first five minutes. Tries by Allanson, Welch and Horgan, with two conversions, plus a second half try by Anderson, brought the score up to 16-0.

The second day started with another 16-0 against Haileybury, which took us into the quarter finals to meet Llanelli G S. Both sides, up to this time had not conceded a point. Anderson scored the first, with a splendid run from the half way line, bouncing an intended tackler with a beautifully timed swing of the hips. Horgan converted.
In the second half, Plant scored in the corner, but in the last few moments of the game, W Oliver, the Empire Games sprinter, scored for Llanelli, well shepherded by Welch, in the corner. So again we were through to the Semi-finals.

The game against Oundle was the hardest of all. Played in a rainstorm, and with a slippery ball, Chatwin struggled to get a fair share of the ball. In the event, Plant got the only try, but Oundle were no slouchers, and pressed much of the time, but Douai were the quicker side, and with their mix of handling and shrewd kicking, fought their way out of trouble, and were attacking at the end.

The Final, playing against Royal Belfast Academical Institute, was an exciting affair. Belfast got ahead, courtesy of a penalty, although their line had some hair-breadth escapes. But when Belfast dropped out, with a man in front, there was a scrum, Chatwin heeled it, and Allanson ran fast round the blind side, and scored under the posts. Horgan converted.
However, when Belfast kicked off from the touch down, Douai caught the ball, threw the ball among themselves, and Horgan, the Captain, ran through to score. The try was roundly applauded by Belfast, in what must have been a disappointing moment.

Standing; J Chetwynd-Chatwin, R P Barnsley, D J Allanson, M J Welch
      Seated; A Rawlingson-Plant. M J Horgan, (Capt)., J Anderson,

The better side had won, and probably only Oundle had the same range of talents - intelligent backing up, the ability to win possession, and outright speed.
It was the most wonderful experience watching the ball handling skills, and the running skills, of this wonderful team. A small school, in competition with the giants of the Public Schools system, - and actually beating them.


1959-1960

          Standing; J. F. Philipson, A..P. Lange, J.F. Lowe, R.P. Hirst, C.P. Keeble, J.A. James, D.J. Haile. E.D. Carter
Seated; J.S. Cochrane. C Huntly, J.A. Chetwynd-Chatwin, R.P. Barnsley (Capt), M.J. Welch, J.P. McCarthy, C.J. Blackburn.

P 16 W 7 D 2 L 7 F 142 A 159
From last year's successful side, only the scrum half and the two centres were still available. R P Barnsley, Capt., and M J Welch provided most of the thrust in attack, and kept a firm grip on opposing centres in defence. R P Barnsley was an unobtrusive but effective captain.
This season was one of two parts, - before Christmas, and after. The team started by winning the first four matches, and their record was good before the festive season. They won 7 and drew 2, losing only one game. After, however, when various parties had left, the team was then struggling to survive, and a visit from one of the Irish teams and some club games knocked their pre-Christmas record into a cocked hat.
But the team, overall, was not overawed by their opponents. J S Philipson took over the fly half spot, and was given good service by J A Chetwynd-Chatwin, whose ability to make breaks was determined, and forceful. D J Haile, at full back, improved as the season developed, and A P Lange and E D Carter made the wing positions their own by some very competent displays.
The forwards, however, did not come up to high expectations we were looking for. J P McCarthy always hooked well, and his success contributed greatly to the overall team success in the early day. C J Blackburn and R P Hirst gave him great support throughout. J Lowe and J H James did unspectacular work in the second row, and the back row of J S Cochrane, C H Huntley and C Keeble all put in plenty of covering work. Our main problem was the lack of a place kicker, and it was never solved. The whole team concentrated on running and handling, which was reflected in tries by thirteen different members of the team.
After Christmas, with a number of leavers and injuries, the full team never played properly again, and C H Huntley who took over as Captain did an excellent job in trying circumstances.

The Old Dowegians game ended as a pointless draw, in which both teams had their chances but the covering was too good. The Old Boys team contained seven former Captains of the XV.
Old Dowegians: Rev B Swinhoe; P Walshe, M Horgan, Rev D Ward, N Wainford; D Allanson, M Gundry; C Morton, S Gonzalez, T Price, C Hopkins, P Berry, A Plant, E Duckney, and J Murphy.

Colours were awarded to: J S Cochrane, C J Blackburn, R P Hirst, and C P Keeble.

School: D J Haile; E D Carter, M J Welch, R P Barnsley, Capt., A P Lange; J S Philipson, J A Chetwynd-Chatwin; R P Hirst, J P McCarthy, C J Blackburn, J F Lowe, J H James, J S Cochrane, C H Huntley, C P Keeble.

Sevens. We entered two competitions, at Oxford and Roehampton. We were not long concerned in either place. At Oxford our 1st Vll was defeated in the second round by Oundle, having scraped home against Southfield. At Roehampton, after our wondrous performance the previous year, we watched in a detached way, as our first Vll were knocked by Oakham, 10-0, in the first round.