A bit of the background.

The 77/78 season was very successful, the 1st XV winning all their games, including a half-term tour up north and two end-of-season games against two well-known London school teams.  Although there was no Janus for this year, I never found out why, John Morris, the 1st Team coach (and Housemaster of Halls House), subsequently sent a letter out to all the 1st Team members describing the season and results, in a similar vein to a Janus entry. 

Unfortunately, the method for producing copies, at that time, involved skins and being printed on to A4 paper and the copy I had faded somewhat, making it difficult to read.  I have a suspicion that it has not survived; however, I have some other school material somewhere so it could be with that.  I will keep looking.

Perhaps if John Morris is still around and reads your website, he may still have the original.  Conversely, one of the 1st XV members may have a copy safely stashed away somewhere? 

The photos were taken by AJ Murray, Corners House, 71 to 78, as part of his A-Level in photography.  He took many photos that day, some of which were too blurred to use, some came out really well.  I only bought and paid for the ones I was interested in.  Remember there were no digital photos back then.  Again, perhaps if AJ looks in on your website he may be able to scan in many of the other photos he took, if he still has them.

To the match then, it was in the Winter Term up on the 1st XV pitch on Church Fields.  We did win the game but I can't for the life of me recall the score.

Photo 1. Adrian Thompson, Fly-Half, running into contact.  That was his usual pose, head down, bursting through the tackle.  Excellent player.

Photo 2. Chris Hopkirk, No 8, breaking from the base of the scrum, with Dave Bates, Second Row, already breaking from the scrum in support. To the right of Chris, Nick Evans, Scrum Half and Adrian Thompson (you can just see his face at the edge of the photo) are also in support.

Photo 3. Steve Halliday, Inside Centre, beating an opposing player, with Adrian Thompson turning to support.

Photo 4. Cedric Carr, Winger, being caught by the opposition with Dave Bates in support, trying to catch up.

Photo 5. Dave Bates winning the lineout, jumping at Number 2.  In the days when you had to jump without help from others! Phil Anthistle, Second Row, supporting from the Number 4 position.

Photo 6. Phil Anthistle winning the lineout, jumping at Number 4.  Dave Bates, wearing jersey number 5, in support.

Photo 7. Setting the scrum. Nick Evans, Scrum Half with the ball.  Chris Hopkirk, No 8, and Lance Jowers, Flanker, binding down.