Junior Players 1981

  The team started with 21 players of whom only Chris Kreiger had not played before.  In pre-season games (which do not count for competition points) the lads were undefeated and picked up a couple of half-centuries.  We were not heavily tested at this point as no pre-season games were played against Brighton or Elizabeth.  The squad was depleted at the commencement of the major round due to the loss of John Barker (to play with Pulteney), Mat Sherry (to Sacred Heart), Craig Brownrigg (to Saints). Despite these losses and the usual run of minor injuries, we were only forced to forfeit on one occasion and in the final home game, were displaced to fifth position.  The side had wins against all teams in the competition except Brighton and Elizabeth and gave an excellebt account of themselves against both sides.  Mark Auricht as Captain and Simon Clay as Vice-Captain were most capable leaders - congratulations on a job well done.  Special mention of the weekly performance of Kevin Jones, Best Back and Jim Boorman, Best Forward both of whom graduate to senior football in 1982.  Other special mention of Mike Berry as the most improved player and Chris Kreiger for his first season ever - he never gave up.  The boys all appreciated the dedicated efforts of coach, John Graham and Manager Howard Clay in reaching the standard achieved in this, only the second year of O.C. Junior Rugby Union.

Bob Stafford-Lee
Tregenza Times end-of-season 1981