A
ABBEY
Guest
Not my sport at all but here you go.
Very true Drog. At SMC we had rugby union in the sixth form only and the players tended to be the, let's say, bigger lads who couldn't get in the footy teams.One thing in Unions favour is that it's a game that any school class can make a team from. From the athletic types right through to the slow ponderous knock-kneed tubs of lard there is a position for them.
I'm glad to see that another SMC old boy is on the forum. Dave Birch is ex SMC too. I'm 75. Were you there when I was?Very true Drog. At SMC we had rugby union in the sixth form only and the players tended to be the, let's say, bigger lads who couldn't get in the footy teams.
As Dave says, when union is played in a more open fashion, it can be entertaining and from what I've seen, this is more so in the Southern Hemisphere. I find most of the games here in the UK boring (too much stop/start) but part of the problem is that I don't understand all the rules and, more importantly to some degree, the tactics.
Me neither CLB and judging by that carry on against Italy I'd say most of the England team and management don't either!Very true Drog. At SMC we had rugby union in the sixth form only and the players tended to be the, let's say, bigger lads who couldn't get in the footy teams.
As Dave says, when union is played in a more open fashion, it can be entertaining and from what I've seen, this is more so in the Southern Hemisphere. I find most of the games here in the UK boring (too much stop/start) but part of the problem is that I don't understand all the rules and, more importantly to some degree, the tactics.
No, Al. I'm 59 and left in 1976. Father Cassidy was headmaster, Fr O'Neill deputy head. I bet you remember Ma Burns who did the school meals (damned good as well) and Fr Stuart who taught French and was as evil as the devil himself. He never taught me thank God but had certainly mellowed by the mid 70s.I'm glad to see that another SMC old boy is on the forum. Dave Birch is ex SMC too. I'm 75. Were you there when I was?
I was there when the head was Fr Graystanes (Black Harry) and then Fr Green (Le Pere Verte). Joe Stuart, Fr Battle (?).No, Al. I'm 59 and left in 1976. Father Cassidy was headmaster, Fr O'Neill deputy head. I bet you remember Ma Burns who did the school meals (damned good as well) and Fr Stuart who taught French and was as evil as the devil himself. He never taught me thank God but had certainly mellowed by the mid 70s.
The all weather pitch had been upgraded to tarmac when I got there in 1969 Dave! Amazing how about ten games of football could all be played at the same time.I was there when the head was Fr Graystanes (Black Harry) and then Fr Green (Le Pere Verte). Joe Stuart, Fr Battle (?).
It was said of Fr Graystanes that he knew the names of all the pupils at the school.
Still got the cinders in my knee from the "all weather" football pitch!
I remember all the ones that Dave mentioned. We were completely different eras.No, Al. I'm 59 and left in 1976. Father Cassidy was headmaster, Fr O'Neill deputy head. I bet you remember Ma Burns who did the school meals (damned good as well) and Fr Stuart who taught French and was as evil as the devil himself. He never taught me thank God but had certainly mellowed by the mid 70s.
Always thought Father Harrison was a bit dodgy. Taught French and had a bit of a feminine way of walking. Never bothered me though. Did you know him Dave?Can't remember any at all, Drog. "Le Pere Verte" was just a french translation.
Plenty of board dusters thrown, plenty of straps given, but I never came across anything more serious.
Maybe I just wasn't fancied
I think Father Stuart would have been there when you were Al. My uncle, who was at SMC, is 80 ish and I'm sure we've talked about him. A real bar steward by all accounts. (Fr Stuart, not my uncle)I remember all the ones that Dave mentioned. We were completely different eras.
Yep he was there. Evil sod.I think Father Stuart would have been there when you were Al. My uncle, who was at SMC, is 80 ish and I'm sure we've talked about him. A real bar steward by all accounts. (Fr Stuart, not my uncle)