Elsewhere on the web site someone makes a comment about a first cricket team and asks the question whether they were the best first team the College ever put out.  The question to be asked of the under 15s team for 1970/71 is, was this the best year team ever to be put out by the College?  This team was unbeaten for two years running; this year and the previous year. They are certainly up there with possibly only one rival team.  The strength of this team was in its ability to move around the field at a considerable pace and its overall fitness.  It seemed that every member played for every other and that the team members played for the team and not themselves.  This was not a team where there were any outstanding individuals, but three of the team (Wilson, Bishop and Spencer) played regularly for the first team the next year and, I believe, Bawden and O’Shea played the next year at least once for the first team (could they correct me if I am wrong?).  Bawden, the captain, had run in the All England Sports for 100 metres in his first year and Wilson was a very accurate kicker. Two, Spencer and Perkins, went on to become Head Boy in successive years. Career-wise, Bishop is a professor of mathematics at UCL, O’Shea headmaster of a large boarding school, Spencer a consultant ophthalmologist and Faircloth a qualified accountant. Whilst I have no doubt the others have achieved success in their careers I have no knowledge of all of them. I mentioned one possible rival team to this one as the best year team at the College!  This is the year below, the team included Herbert, Rutherford, Barley, Mills and Wigney.  Perhaps one of them would like to make a case for their team.

Back Row, left to right:

Mr John Barwell, Coach and History Teacher
Had coached this team the previous year to an unbeaten run of matches. During games lessons in the week he would referee A versus B matches (Colin Little would play for the B team and try to intimidate him) to increase his knowledge of rugby. I do not think he had a rugby background, making his record as a coach all the more remarkable for that. I think he coached the year below in the following year to a record of only one defeat, which would mean a record of only one defeat in three years.

Craig Younger, Durham, Prop
Also played in the cricket team for the year. Studied to become a P.E. teacher in Sheffield after leaving school.

Clive Derry, Durham, Prop
In the previous year he had been kicker for his house team in the junior tournament, which, given he was a prop, showed a great all round talent.

Charles Jenkins, York, Second Row
Had some musical talent as well as good academic abilities. Supported Aston Villa which, given they were in the third division in those days was quite something. I believe he was tragically killed in a motor cycle accident shortly after graduating. Parents were teachers.

Stephen Spencer, Gloucester, No 8
Went on to become Head Boy. Was actually in the year above but played because he was within the age group. Now a consultant ophthalmologist in Huddersfield (this needs checking).

Gary O’Shea, York, Wing Forward
Very good at swimming, in addition to rugby. Father served in the RAF so moved around quite a lot. Taught science in Hong Kong for some years but now head master of Nelson College, New Zealand’s biggest all-boys boarding school. Married to a New Zealander, with one adopted son.

Steven Mason, Gloucester, Second Row
Always gave the impression he would rather not have played rugby at all. Supported Ipswich Town.

Michael Flatt, Salisbury, Hooker
Had been a prop but switched to hooker when Clive Derry came in to the team and Simon Mills played for the year below. I believe Colin Little decided it would be better for Simon to play for the year below because he got quite badly knocked about in one particular game the previous year, perhaps someone could confirm this.

Norman Faircloth, York, Wing
Also represented the school at Athletics (Triple Jump). Played the next season as a tight head prop but had some injuries which meant appearances in the second and then third team were somewhat limited. Left at the end of the fifth year and went to work for Norfolk County Council. Played for Norfolk under 19s the season after he left school as a tight head prop and also had an Eastern Counties trial. Went to Germany for a year and then studied for a degree in Sheffield. A qualified accountant he is married to a Belarussian. Father a photographer, mother a State Registered Nurse.

Front Row, left to right:

Paul Wilson, Fly Half
Colin Little made fun of him at the first games lesson of the year because he was wearing what Colin described as carpet slippers, as opposed to rugby boots. Played in the first team the next year primarily for his kicking. I think Jonny Wilkinson must have studied under him as he very rarely missed. Left at the end of the fifth year to join, I believe, the RAF. Now lives in California. Father in the RAF.

Michael Goodwin, Salisbury, Wing.
Very nippy as a player. Left in the fifth year.

Stephen Bishop, York, Scrum Half
Played in the first team the next year. Left at the end of the fifth year. Now professor of Mathematics at University College London. I believe he had spent some time in Africa before going to Wymondham.

Andrew Bawden, York, Centre, Captain
Ran in the All England Sports in the first year for 100 metres and, obviously, represented the school at this event. Now lives in the Southampton area. Father quite high up in the Inland Revenue.

Michael Johnson, Salisbury, Wing Forward
I believe he captained the cricket team for the year where he was a fast bowler.

Granville Perkins, Durham, Full Back
Went on to become Head Boy. Played in the cricket team where he was an opening batsman.

Alastair MacFadyen, York, Centre
Left at the end of the fourth year. Believe father was in the RAF.

Stephen Shayes, Norwich, Reserve/Touch judge.
I believe Stephen was the touch judge, though he may have played in the centre in this year as well for some games.

Norman Faircloth

Contents The Gallery Rugby U15 XV 1970/71