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The worst part of Clayesmore sport was the coaches. Bere Regis provided only smelly ones that went slowly - certainly on the Allhallows run. I had my first experience of them forty eight hours after arriving at the school in June 1962. Carl (Verrinder) said he would "join us later" - presumably with Elenor in the VW - and so this greenhorn left alone to take the athletics team to Marlborough. Just twenty-five and fresh from India, I obviously looked gullible. Pitcher and his mates conned me into believing that the team always spent an hour in Salisbury on the way to this match and they'd all be back in good time for the onward journey. We left twenty minutes late without Pardoe-Matthews, the photographer, and Marks ma. Thank goodness we won the match, even though, despite a taxi from Salisbury, Marks missed the mile and Cook, protesting loudly, had to replace him.

The next term was Frank Stones' second season and, as it turned out, last in charge of the 1st XV and my first as a rugger coach. He assessed my credentials when I arrived on the 1st XV pitch, as I thought, appropriately dressed in shorts and old rugby shirt. He did not talk to me but to Parker ma and Lynham: "those legs should make him a winger." They then discussed how the practice should go. My limited confidence in being able to contribute disappeared and I retired to the touch line. Later Frank allowed me to join the 2nd XV pack (not the wing, thank goodness) to take on the 1st, and shattered morale returned.

Frank did not need my help with running the 1st and never asked for it. I believe that playing with the 2nds in practices, and shouting at them in matches from the touch line did help them play a little more enthusiastically than otherwise, but I never really learnt how to coach. The 2nd's results, four wins out of six played, were, however most respectable and this, spuriously, helped my status considerably with Frank. He even asked my opinion on who should be promoted by the end of the season when Smith ma and Cornwall were injured on the 1st. Results were not good for them with victories over Shaftesbury GS and Queen's Taunton the only bright spots despite some noted current and future sportsmen playing that year, let alone Parker ma and Lynham: Morgan, Merson, Winship, Barter, Buck and Thompson, to name a few. They did rather better at sevens. My 2nds was captained by Malcolm Newman and the stars were the pack with the likes of Elson, Packett, and Hawkins ma.

In autumn 1963 Frank had gone to Bishop's Stortford and John MacDonald had been promoted from the under 15's to take over. He was probably glad to change with no wins for the junior colts in '62. I think it had always been an ambition of his to take a 1st XV, having had to suffer the frustrations of several seasons with the 2nd XV at Bradford GS in the early 50's. He brought to his coaching conscientiousness and commitment which can rarely have been rivalled. His essential realism about his task and the material with which he had to work meant that much time was devoted to damage limitation. Good tackling was the most appreciated basic skill and accurate kickers both to touch and over the cross-bar were treasured. (It was unfortunate that the 'Gregory cup' which was later introduced to encourage the art of place-kicking by no means always indicated a future match-winner - often a colt who left.)

The 1963 season was Hugh Gracey Thompson's as captain and, ironically for J.M.M. taking over, it was possibly the most imaginative attacking side he ever coached. At least the match against Bryanston at home seemed to prove brilliance in attack to all those who watched the second half. Just after half-time we were 11 points down and it was not until Rob Barter, the pack leader, broke away for a try that we realised they were vulnerable in defence. There followed three text-book tries by the backs with exciting passing and linking before first Winship, then Rees and finally Hugh Thompson himself touched down. Ron Fangen, promoted from the Senior Colts, and J.M.M.'s last Captain of the under 15's, converted two of these scores, which gave us a remarkable 16 - 11 victory. Results otherwise for the side belied its strengths: played 13, won 3, lost 7, drawn 3. Points for 64; against 122. In fact two of these matches (against 1st XVs from King's Taunton - twice Clayesmore's size and King Edward's, Southampton - three times as big) produced nearly half of the points against us. Of the other games only Sherborne 2nds put more than ten points on the board, because our pack won a reasonable amount of the ball and the defence remained sound. One has to conclude that the frequent problem at half-back was rarely effectively or ever permanently solved. However Mac said in the first of his admirably balanced and often detailed reports in the Clayesmorian: "A certain lack of application prevented (the team) from getting due reward for their efforts. this was nowhere more obvious than in the goal-kicking. The last six games produced not one successful kick." Perhaps Ron was not given the job on those occasions.

The '64 side, captained by the inexhaustible Rob Barter, secured two wins and a draw which was poor recompense for the hard work of the indefatigable efforts of the quartet who often seemingly played the opposition on their own. The captain and David Sparrow in the pack, George Hamlyn almost anywhere and the now more accurate Ron at full back or centre had to cover the countless mistakes made by others who, I suspect, played only because they had to. Rugby's physical demands by no means suit every schoolboy and finding 15 for whom they are a pleasant challenge is always a problem in a small school.

'65 was the year Mac would have said he solved the problem better than at any time in his first twelve years of coaching. Though Rob Barter had left, there remained a trio from the '64 quartet with talent and invaluable experience on which to base the side. Luckily, through having a promising group available from the previous senior colts and 2nd's, almost every position was by half-term happily, effectively and permanently filled. The experimental nature of the first half's team is reflected in the results: played 7, won 1, lost 5, drawn 1. Points for 35; against 141. After half term it was better! Played 5, won 4, lost 1. Points for 58; against 24. The key probably was to use Nick Goumas as first choice fly-half and allow Ron to use his try-scoring abilities properly at outside centre. He ended the season with 60 points to his credit. The half-back partnership of George Hamlyn, the captain (incidentally about to become a member of the Common Room) and Nick worked brilliantly. George thought it was his passing, but Nick knew it was his catching and occasional cross kicks, which made the difference. It is unfair to pick out particular names when the whole side proved competent and often talented at least after half-time. The only match lost in the second half, against Sherborne, could so easily have gone the other way had we not conceded three penalties before half-time: we won on the try count. This side had the best 1st XV school results of any Clayesmore 1st XV for 14 years - and for the next 9.

1966 was the year we seemed to have plenty of forwards and very few backs. Even the captain, David Sparrow, had some games amongst the outsides as did Russ Harding and David Mitchell, the latter showing considerable attacking flair, particularly as scrum-half. This, of all his sides, demonstrated the effectiveness of Mac's coaching gospel. Only King's Bruton broke down the dogged defence and that was when four regulars were off injured and after 50 minutes play. No other side got near their 19 points. The next best being Hardye's with 12. Excluding those two games, the other nine teams achieved but 37 points against our 33, though we only won four times. It was a side which played with immense determination and courage. The likes of Dave Green, the full back, Chalky White, usually scrum-half, Nick Wallrock, the immovable force, Dan Wittleton an ever mobile tackler, besides the three already mentioned, were perhaps especially to the fore. As a postscript to the '66 season, I recall that it was expected that Ron Fangen would stay on to try for Oxbridge entry and would have been the captain, not David Sparrow. Instead he went to Sandhurst, briefly, though the 'Clayesmorian' thinks he's still at school. At least he lives in Iwerne some of the time.

The 1967 side was another which recorded an excellent season once it settled down. Indeed, in inter-school matches it won more games than it lost, a feat unequalled for the previous 16 years , and achieved six wins in the last eight matches. The first two matches against the OCs and Dauntsey's put 47 points on the board against us with only five in reply. In the next ten matches we allowed only 47 against and scored 76 ourselves. Vintage stuff! Yet this XV was not as obviously well balanced or talented as George Hamlyn's '65 side, it merely maximised its strengths effectively and grew sufficiently confident and spirited to score tries and put over penalties - thanks to the phlegmatic but skilful full-back, Andrew Beaton. David Mitchell was an outstanding leader who got 100 per cent effort from the team which, looked at objectively, probably possessed very few genuine rugger players. The exceptions apart from the two already mentioned were Dan Wittleton, David Gordon at fly half, Kevin Moore and Keith Prentice tight forwards, and one future hero, then a colt, Rob Kendell. Team spirit as well as one transatlantic eccentric, Colquhoun, made up for any deficiencies elsewhere.

1968 was the last of John MacDonald's years of respectable results as coach until the mid 70's, though even in '68 declining numbers in the school were reducing the pool of talent available. It says much for Kevin Moore's leadership that this side won seven matches and that the points against were not much greater than those for. The stars of this side apart from Kevin who set a magnificent example as a tight forward, were David Gordon who I shall always remember for his individual ability to pick up the loose ball at speed, Robert Kendell, beginning to mature as a centre especially in defence, and the indefatigable and unflappable Andrew Beaton at full back though less successful with penalties and conversions this season. The 1st XV remained virtually unchanged throughout and this helped the overall spirit, particularly amongst the increasingly successful pack, which was possibly the fittest Mac coached. This season he made the first of increasingly bitter remarks about the standard of refereeing which fell to a significant low in the final match against Milton Abbey when we lost to a penalty of theirs despite apparently crossing their line successfully several times.

One might conveniently claim amnesia for the next four seasons: played 45, won 5, drew 2, lost 38, especially as the previous four years could claim 20 wins. Yet that would mean forgetting many brave performances and individually excellent players. The problem for the captain and the coaches was neatly summarised in Mac's opening words of the 1969 season's report: "with only 34 boys over 16 playing rugby....." Allowing for the usual crop of injuries in a season one would clearly have to resort to the Senior colts and boys who disliked the game to fill gaps. In 1969 24 different names appeared for the 1st XV including the likes of Cormack, Hirdaramini, and Lee-Warner who I am sure would gladly have been elsewhere. As many as 9 players were tried at right wing alone. The captain was George Staines, not, I believe, Mac's favourite pupil and he was often overshadowed by his more obviously gifted vice-captains, Malcolm Newman and Rob Kendell. Other talented players in the making were Chris Seamark, John Burnie and Peter Fox, with John McMillan, when fit, the outstanding back. Mac's most telling quote about this season was: "One of our fastest players, receiving the ball in an attacking situation, kicked it into touch and then said 'sorry, I thought I was in our 25'." Anyone prepared to own up?

The next year was Robert Kendell's fourth year in the 1st XV. He and John McMillan were good enough to play for Dorset and Wilts but there was not a lot of natural ability to support them. The chief problem came, as so often, at half back. Three scrum halves and four fly halves were tried, six different combinations, and none worked particularly well. The other problem was again common in Clayesmore rugby in those lean years: the inability to do the right thing in a crisis and as a result give away points unnecessarily. In the circumstances the final scores were respectable; in fact the season's start was as good as any so far recorded. Following the usual defeat by the OCs, the school won three and drew one of the next four matches, defeating a Canford 2nd XV away 26 - 3. The rot then set in with only 24 points scored against 114 by our opponents in seven matches.

1971 and 1972 were Mac's worst years in terms of results by some distance: only one win in 21 matches. This was a time when keeping the school going at all seemed a problem, though it was in fact solved by the biggest intake of new boys (I think the most ever up to then in one term) in September 1972. Winning matches was difficult in all sports with such small numbers in the sixth form and most difficult when 15 rather than 11 or less were needed in the side. The beleaguered captain in '71 was Olusanya (one of Carl V's best high hurdlers); but as Mac said in his report, "They kept their morale and their heads in the face of misfortunes which would have broken the spirit of less resilient sides". The stalwarts who saved Oly and his team from the further disasters which they probably expected were Brian Birks, Robert Begbie, James Wallrock, and Justin Winther, who scored most of the points. One can remember thinking time and again, throughout the season that with a little more luck - that which is bred, I'm afraid, only with the confidence built on self-belief - this side could so easily have won four or five of the matches they just lost, instead of the single victory.

1972, though we did not know it, was the nadir of our fortunes at 1st XV level under Mac's guidance. No matches were won and Mac, for the first time on record in the 'Clayesmorian', was openly critical of some of the players. "....Desperately short of talent, and the players should not perhaps be blamed for the poor results, except in one particular. Too many of them, and those not the most gifted, were prone to displays of what is euphemistically called 'temperament' both in training and during games. Loyalty to team and captain could not, as in previous years, be taken for granted." I can't remember whether Richard or Robert Sender was the captain, though whoever wasn't, played on the wing. This was the only side I remember where defensive courage was not sufficiently in evidence to make up for lack of talent in attack; I don't think Mac found the coaching rewarding and his request for me to join him with the 1st XV next season - leaving the 2nds to David Griffin and then to Paul Mouncey - no doubt had something to do with his flagging optimism. Those who did their best in difficult circumstances in '72 apart from the Senders, were the two Morgensterns, Anthony Rose, Shelborne, James Pitt and the senior colt, Simon Vasey.

Had we known it, '71 and '72 were the proverbial dark times just before the dawn, though Ned Miller's '73 side provided much of the by now customary gloom. Below the senior level, the excellent '72 entry gave the junior colts a decent platform for selection and results began to improve amongst younger sides generally. The 1st XV, however, still depended on a very small pool of talent. The most obvious of those were the captain, Miller, James Pitt and Mark Harvey and, especially, the amazing Malcolm Shaw who alone scored 64 points with his boot, at last exceeding Ron Fangen's 1965 record. Perhaps the highlight of the that autumn was the victory of the School over the OCs, the first since 1960. It was (of course) achieved when Ron Fangen was off injured after only ten minutes play. The two other victories against Shaftesbury and Allhallows had to make up for some fairly hefty defeats. Statisticians might have given us some hope if one believed in coincidence. The '64 side scored 93 points for and 229 against them; the '73 side, 88 for and 228 against; yet both sides were forerunners of three good years.

There was little indication of success for the 1974 XV before the season started. There were still few seniors in the school and promoting five of the large '72 intake, now senior colts, seemed to some supporters a recipe for disaster. Yet with hindsight one could say that it was a vital factor in giving us 17 victories in the two following seasons, since these '75 and '76 seasons' heroes were then playing their second and third years at top level. Who were they? Jehan Beglarbegi, Jon Douglass, Phil Emby, Simon Hayes, and Peter Schwier. But more of them later. With the exception of Emby who in '74 earned his colours as a calm, dependable full-back, with much success as a kicker, the character of this side depended more on the old hands. Simon Vasey, who seemed to be boss of almost everything in his final year at Clayesmore, made a gallant captain and Michael Boucher, his deputy at scrum-half, proved an inspirational director behind the scrum. After some early lapses in defence, this side tackled better and better as the season progressed and scored some exciting tries, though the match I remember best against Hardye's we won on penalties. Playing up hill against wind and heavy rain we were 14 points down at half-time. Handling by our backs in the second half with the bar of soap was useless and we kicked for touch with the elements instead. Incredibly, penalties were awarded to us more and more generously as our opponents became desperate to clear their line - one, two, three, four, times the referee penalised them and miraculously we were only 14 - 12 down. In the dying seconds another misdemeanour and we were awarded yet another penalty and the accurate Emby boot gave us victory as the whistle went.

And so to the "BRAVO CLAYESMORE" season. This headline in 'Rugby World' in February '76 must have brought a pleasurable smile to the face of anyone connected with Clayesmore Rugby, even to Mac, not known for such indiscretions. The magazine gave us less than 50 words specifically, but what was said by way of introduction bears repeating here. Having mentioned the famous large school XVs who won all their matches, the article continues: "Yet there are others which, because of their small numbers, rarely hit the headlines and are always fighting against the odds. Such schools deserve the highest credit when they come through a season with a notable record of success against their more powerful rivals. A case in point is CLAYESMORE, one of the smallest of public schools with just over 200 boys, who have enjoyed their best season for 25 years." Mac should then take over: "Three of the main ingredients were present in full measure - good captaincy, good luck, and (essential under the present laws) a good kicker - and other favourable factors for once came together. An unusually large number of players showed that indefinable quality, flair - the ability to do the right thing at the right time - which can turn a promising situation, and even an unpromising one, into a score." Wise words which will inevitably apply to the successful world cup sides this year, where little but 'flair' separates the best sides.

Looking back at this distance and seeing the '75 forwards in their later dimensions it is impossible to see them as a lightweight pack who had to make up in mobility what they lacked in size; but that was the case 24 years ago. The front five (excluding Nick Mann, the hooker) probably average 15 stone today. Yet Hiralal Bhasin, the indomitable captain, and Gay or Stuart (the same chap) the props, supported by Hayes and Dow in the second row were pushed back throughout the season in set pieces and sometimes in the loose, and we suffered from infrequent line-out possession too. The back row, headed by the vice captain, Leeves, at blind side, plus Leman at No. 8 and Paul Kirk developed as the season progressed into a positive attacking and defensive force, Paul Kirk being particularly quick at converting half chances into tries. But the whole eight worked well together with the spirit which does not recognise defeat.

Outside, the half-backs, Paul Langlois and Jon Douglass, proved as successful a partnership as had been seen for years though Douglass, the scrum-half, was less than fully fit for two or three matches. Pete Schwier and Des Williams were quick and penetrating centres, Frank Kirk and Jehan Beglarbegi the exciting wings. Frank became famous on the right wing for his amazing run which won us the Oratory match; while Beglar on the left was our most effective scorer with a swerve and jink at speed which delighted the increasingly keen supporters of this side. Phil Emby at full back made the difference between success and failure once again in more matches than anyone else, totalling 70 points in the season, which must have been a new record.

Nine victories, one draw, and one loss was the remarkable tally of this side. The defeat was against Bruton away in the second match and the drawn one at Queen's Taunton - who had their most successful side for years. The best results were against Hardye's where we won 22 - 13 despite changing over 3 -13 down, and Bryanston - who had won by a cricket total the week before - which we won 20 - 6, three tries to one. To be fair to our opponents, luck played a large part in maintaining our record of wins. But that 'luck' one felt was generated by the team's mutually supportive spirit and the resulting confidence which we all know is essential for success.

Mac's final year - and mine, before I took over the Junior Colts - could be construed as a disappointment after the previous season, especially as four of the outsides were in their third season in the First. Yet strength in depth is always a problem for a school of Clayesmore's size. With two determined and large props leaving before the sixth form and unexpectedly unavailable, too much was left to the rest, especially when the usual crop of injuries further affected selection in the later stages of the season. It was clear to Mac and me, in both these two last successful seasons with their 17 victories, that towards the end of the autumn term the key players, even if they stayed fit, were physically approaching the limit of their overworked resources. In '75 luck remained with us; in '76 it mostly deserted us and we lost three of the last five matches.

Yet we played some excellent Rugby. Simon Hayes led the pack, which usually weighed 20% less than the opposition, with enormous energy and skill. Given that Hamish Dow and Leman were the only old colours, the unit did all that could be expected, but inevitably provided the fine backs with very limited possession - and that rarely of good quality.

We were fortunate that the half backs were as good or better than last year's, once Phil Emby had settled in as the new partner for the captain Douglass. (This was Emby's third position at the senior school: two seasons as hooker, two as full-back and his last as fly-half.) The rest of the side, of necessity, became formidable tacklers; so much so that it was common for our opponents to find themselves behind the gain-line after apparently well executed moves. It is also true that in matches against stronger sides, impregnable defence kept us in the game. As Mac said, given the comparative lack of resources and the problem with injuries, which we mostly avoided the previous season, our last 1st XV deserved about as much credit as the '75 XV, despite losing three more matches.

While writing this I toyed with the idea of selecting my 'best XV' from those years I was around. As it stands, I imagine this article offends plenty anyway, by the errors and omissions at least. Naming the best of you in each position would be stretching too far any good will, dear readers, you have left, as well as being impossibly limiting from such a talented pool.

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