FORTY YEARS OF BOYS' SPORT.
For anyone sport minded, Lydney is the Mecca. In 1938, when appointed
to the sports staff by Mr. J. C. Burch, I had two reasons for accepting
the appointment. Lydney was near to my beloved Wales, and it had, I
knew by playing for Bridgend against the Lydney Club a skill and enthusiasm
for sport particularly rugby football. What I did not know, as the
Headmaster Mr. J. C. Burch had travelled to Carnegie, Leeds, to interview
the candidates, was that the school was mixed, and it possessed extremely
good playing facilities. Both proved very pleasant surprises. Even
then, my intention was to stay for only two years, and then move on
to pastures new. However the pupils, the happy staff and local sports
people made life so interesting and pleasant that I have stayed for
35 years. If personal history were to be repeated, I would do the same
again.
Rugby was introduced into the School in 1934, the date of Mr. Burch's
appointment as Headmaster, and Mr. J."Crasher" White was the first
rugby master. How successful and opportune was its introduction may be judged
by the fact that the 1934-35 season was the first of many unbeaten teams the
School has produced. Much of the success was due to Crasher White, a famous
T. T. rider, as he developed a tremendous team spirit. He also had in Keith
Turner an outstanding captain. Other sporting celebrities in this side were
K. W. Bounds, Ivor Price, Wilson Whereat, and N. W. Powell. These players
moulded a fine tradition.
In 1935 Crasher White wisely introduced a School Junior XV, which has been, as
was his intention, a valuable asset to future 1st teams. Thus in 1938, this Junior
side was entrusted to my care, as a young man, straight out of college, and it
was my good fortune to receive the kind experienced support of Mr. Joe Ellison,
the Sportsmaster. He saw to it that everything was made possible to make my life
bearable. I somehow feel he craftily manipulated it that I should have, in my
first junior squad, such outstanding youngsters as Johnny Morgans,"Gunner" Fletcher,
John Taylor, Lindsey Lewis, Lloyd Jenkins, Royston Charles and the Powell boys.
For here, indeed, was rewarding material to work on, as all these boys had the
skills as well as the enthusiasm. The sickening suspense and threat of a World
War did not dampen their keenness. Similarly the School 1st XV, under Doug Kear's
captaincy was equally successful. One of the five school teams which the school
defeated that year was Dulwich College, who were evacuated to this area, 4-0.
For a history of the game during the war years, I depend, as so often in the
past on Mr. A.W. Barlow. Players of the 1941-60 vintage will remember how much
time and valuable work Bill Barlow gave to all games of the School. Bill Barlow
thus writes,"The 1942-42 team developed into one of the finest I can remember
(much depended on the basic coaching given by E. J. P. before leaving to join
the R.A.F.). Alan Powell and Gunner Fletcher were a successful pair of half-backs,
while the inside-centre Johnny Morgans was one of the best the School every had.
He had a good foil at centre in John Stevens, who was evacuated to Lydney with
the Yardley School. The pack of forwards, led by Lloyd Jenkins, was an efficient
and trustful one and provided plenty of good ball for those fine attacking players".
"Thus in 1942-43, with eleven of the same team a year older, no one - School
or Club-side - defeated them, but they were held to a draw by King Edward's
School, Birmingham, who was also evacuated to the Monmouth area. The season 43-44-45
were equally successful, and it was then that such fine players as Peter and
David Wiggle came to the fore. Other outstanding players in that era were Eric
Higgs, Dennis Pownall, Geoffrey Curtis, John Taylor and Jack Fryer, perhaps the
best fullback the School has produced. In the whole of those War years only two
matches were lost and two drawn. The rest were won“.
With the ending of those austere War years there arose, throughout the world,
a tremendous demand for Sport. In the School every game, Rugby, Hockey, Cricket,
Athletics and Boxing flourished. Perhaps the years of 1947-57 were the finest
ever for Athletics. Every Whitsun-Saturday the County Athletic Association ran
the County Spots on our fine fields. It provided stimulus to Athletics. In 1947,
for example, Lydney supplied 12 winners in the various events. Cedric Hughes
won the Senior 110 yards hurdles and the 880 yds; Brian Croot the discus, with
a record County hurl; D. Walsh the 220 yds, and the Long Jump; Lyson James the
660 yds., and P. Fitzpatrick the High Jump. In the Junior events David Webb won
the 106 yds. Hurdles , E. Virgin the Long Jump and 330 yds. and D. Maxim still
another event. Cedric Hughes and Brian Croot were so outstanding, they naturally
gravitated to the National School's Championships at the White City, London.
Both got to the final of their particular events, Cedric being 4th in the 120
yds. hurdles and Brian 3rd in the Discus. Other fine all-round athletes at this
time were Paddy Cornaby, John Large, David Rees, Dennis Walsh, Rex Cole, Alan
Lewis, Gerald Hayward and Mike Endy.
By 1948 the School was entering upon its golden era in Sport, and this coincided
again with the appointment of a new Headmaster, Mr. E. Beeley. Many of his innings
for the staff Cricket-side demonstrated what a fine sportsman he also was. In
this year Allan Davies, a good rugby captain, was to the be the first Lydney
Grammar Schoolboy to win a"19 Group" England cap. He was followed
the next season by Dougie Voyce, a most durable scrum-half who played against
France at Limoges. Meanwhile in Cricket, Gwyn Johnson was to be our first cricketer
to play for England against Wales. He skippered the side most satisfactorily
at Old Trafford, Manchester. His appearance for England was quickly followed
by David Nash, an opening bat.
During the next twelve years the School was to create a"Ground" record
in Rugby. County honours and further Schoolboy International caps came in goodly
numbers. For instance, in 1950 Brian Kear, David Rees, Dougie Voyce, John Large,
Mike Lewis, Gwyn Johnson and Allan Price played for the Gloucestershire Senior
Boys, while Rees Jones appeared in the Junior County team. In 1951, Clive Roberts,
who was to play a great part later in the school 1st XV was travelling reserve
for England"15 Group". Then in 1952, Brian James, the rugby captain,
played a similar role as Clive for the"19 Group" England Team. But
Tom Jones played twice for England against Wales in the Junior Age group. The
1952-53 season, with such outstanding performers as Clive Roberts, captain, John
Hampton, Tom Jones, R. Rastall, John Kear, Cedric Williams, R. Freckleton, John
Jarvis and R. Ellway, was obviously bound to be a good one. That season the School
also won, for the first time, the West of England Seven-a-side Tournament at
Clifton.
Not surprisingly the 1953-54 1st XV was another unbeaten team. The captain was
Clive Roberts. In this side appeared two young players who were destined to play
a proud role in the School's Sports history, John Morris and Beverley Dovey.
Clive Roberts had the irritating honour, once again, of being"travelling" reserve
for the England Schools, though this time with the"19 Group" side,
while Ken Hyde was reserve for the 15 Group England team at Twickenham.
In 1955 John Morris and Tom Jones went that vital step further and won full England
honours for"19 Group". The School, indeed, this season had the unique
record of also supplying the England"15 Group" scrum-half in the
person of Trevor Wintle. Other outstanding players in this year's School
XV was Cedric Williams, Geoffrey Hayward, Robert Freckleton and Mike Chamberlain,
all County players , while the captain was John Jarvis. In the 1955-56 season,
one match was lost, to St. Julian's at Newport. David Lewis was the skipper,
and once again the School that year won the West of England"Under 17" Seven-a-side
Tournament. The proud team was Roger Ellway, John Davies, John Isles, Tony Box,
Trevor Wintle, Bev. Dovey and Ken Hyde.
The following season, owing to family circumstances, I had to miss quite a number
of the Saturday matches, but such was the intelligent leadership of Bev. Dovey,
the captain, the School was once again able to boast an invincible record. Bev.
still maintains the hardest match was, without doubt, the Marling School one.
We were he thinks, perhaps a little lucky to get away with it. The dedicated
players, who made up this fine side were Bev. Dovey, captain, Roger Ellway, Mike
Perrett, John Davies, M. Thompson, M. Wooridge, Mike James, Trevor Wintle, John
Isles, Keith Long, Peter Harris, Bill Riches, Ian Yates, Guy Rastall and Mike
Chamberlain. Of this side four gained further Schoolboy International honours.
Bev. Dovey and Trevor Wintle played for"19 Group", while Keith Long
and Ian Yates appeared in the"15 Group" team. Then to complete an
outstanding year of athletic honour, Cedric Hughes made four appearances for
the full England Hockey team, while Aline Hatter continued her many appearances
for the Welsh Ladies side.
In the 1958-59 season Trevor Wintle was to skipper, not only the School 1st XV,
but also the England"19 Group" team. His School side continued to
maintain our amazing record of not being beaten at"Home". The sole
defeat was at the hands of Cheltenham Grammar Schoo 16-6. The record read 12
won - lost one. Points scored were 358 with 28 against. Trevor had in his England
XV, another Lydney Grammar Schoolboy, John Isles, a tough prop forward. Furthermore,
our honours list for"15 Group" Internations continued to grow as
Dennis Turley and Alan Imm played in the victorious England side against Wales
at Torquay.
Trevor Wintle had thus won every Schoolboy honour. He had captained the School
at Rugby, Hockey and Cricket. He had represented England at"15 Group" and"19
Group" level. It was a pity he was to fall short of his century when he
was top scorer for the England Schools Cricket X1 in their match against Wales
at Colwyn Bay.
When Bev. Dovey, John Morris and Trevor Wintle had left school, a misterable
time at sport might have been expected. Not so, 1959-60 was to be another unbeated
rugby season. The proud captain this time was Keith Long. His team was Chris
Jones, Mike perrett, Winston Morris, Mike Probert, Geoffrey Hayward, David Imm,
Cledwyn Davies, Dick Orgee, Dennis Turley, Harold Harper, Alan Imm, Bill Taylor,
George Haddock and Ken Starr. All eleven matches were won, the side scoring 303
points against 45. Cledwyn Davies, despite his christian name, won an England"19
Group" cap, while Spencer Thomas and George Haddock gained"15 Group" caps.
In 1960-61 no international honours were obtained, but the School suffered only
one"Away" defeat, and it one more"lifted" the West
of England Seven-a-side Tournament. Then the following season Allan Imm and George
Haddock joined that select few, who have played for England at"15 Group" and"19
Group" age levels. Then in the 1963-64 season Ken James was to form one
of the best backrows to have played ever for England"19 Group".
Even Wales was beaten.
Eventually, in the 1964-65 season our twelve years Ground record disappeared.
The honour went to Morpeth Grammar School, who were on tour. The School XV, it
must be admitted, were young and inexperienced and suffered many minor injuries
that year. However, the players were as keen as ever. Deep down in our hearts,
we were glad the record had gone. For every visiting school side had arrived,
determined to take our scalp. Still, the standard of rugby had not really suffered.
In the last decade, we have not reached the very high standard of the 1960s,
but the School has continued to produce its Schoolboy Internationals and play
good rugby. Robert Vaughan appeared for"15 Group" at Cardiff Arms
Park in 1968, while the next year that fine pair of half-backs, Peter Kingston
and Chris Williams played together for England"19 Group". The in
1970-71 Ian Wilkins, another outside half, was to terminate our long list of
schoolboy caps with Grammar School's closure.
Reading through this brief outline of School rugby, I see many fine characters
and players have failed to get a mention. I apologist at once for my literary
limitations. Yet happy memories recall the many first class scrum-halves. Some
of them have been named Yet there was Ricky Braybrooke, who played so well, for
so many years that visiting teams decided he must be on the Staff. Then there
were Freddie Worga, skipper 1964, Victor Reeks, captain 1966, Kevin Rodway and
Robert Drewell. With a smile, I joyfully remember such people as Derek Hyde,
Cambridge University hockey Blue, the Purvis boys, the Ward brothers, Neil Halford,
Ronnie Beddis, Gareth Rodway, Chris Bayliss, Peter Selby and Adrian Legge. The
last three were captains of the 1962, 1966 and 1967 respective teams. Our last
captain Andrew Wyman has lived up nobly to the tradition, being as dedicated
as ever.
Indeed for a School of its size, some 200-240 boys, Lydney Grammar School may
proudly proclaim its first class sporting record. The players, in all games,
at all ages have always been held in high esteem by the opposition. The boys
have thought it a real honour to wear the red blazer. So may I take this opportunity
to say to all of them, who have passed through my hands over the last 35 years,"A
very sincere thank you. We have worked hard. The results were worth the effort,
and we have gained much pleasure."
Finally, on Education terms, for success, a School should project itself into
local life, as well as on distant horizons. This the Grammar School has certainly
accomplished. The Town's rugby, cricket and hockey teams are held in high
repute throughout Endland and Wales. Our boys can claim to have been the backbone
of these sides. For, who could think of Lydney Cricket Club without recalling
George Elliott, Wilson Whereat, Douglas Thomas, Len James, Ron Aldridge, Grantley
Cleaver, Thomas, Len James, Ron Aldridge, Grantley Cleaver, Terence Brown and
John Morris, to name just a few. The last name recalls the School's outstanding
contribution to the Town's rugby club. John's continued-captaincy
for twelve consecutive years must be a world record in club rugby. Most of the
boys named here have at sometime or other, played for Lydney R.F.C. Quite a number
have played County Rugby, a few County Cricket, with Bev. Dovey being a conspicuous
County captain. Others such as John Hampton, Cyril Thomas, Cliff Price, Gordon
Morris now chairman of the Swansea Club, have received International Trials.
While Dr. Trevor Wintle, Bev. Dovey Cedric Hughes, Vernon Clark, P.S. Petheram
have become senior internationals in either Rugby or Hockey. Well done Lydney
Grammar School! May this dedication and success continue in our Comprehensive
School"
E. J. Parfitt
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