Bishops recently registered a good win over one of its most traditional rivals, Paarl Roos Gymnasium the match played at Bishops.  With this event published in the ODU tabloids, response from ODs enlightened us to other important encounters between the two schools. One was in 1960 with a good win from Bishops, against its second oldest rival, Paal Roos Gymnasium. 

The photograph above is of the 1961 match at Newlands, between the two sides.  It is a frame from a cine shot.  Thank you to Nicky Bicket (FH - 1973), Sydney Cullis (GH - 1960 - PM 1961) and Tim Wisdom (WH - 1960), and especially to Sydney Cullis for providing the footage and Nicky for editing it.     

On 23rd July 1960, Bishops played Paul Roos at Newlands.  This was also the main curtain-raiser to the second Test match played by the Springboks (3) against the All Blacks (11) losing 3 - 11.  The Diocesan College Magazine of September 1960 describes the DC/PRG match as follows: 'a very good open game in which both sides played very good football. Our forwards were quick in getting to the loose ball and had an advantage in the line-outs and also a slight one in the scrums. Dicey in the line-out was prominent and Walker in the loose. The defence of both sides was very sound, but their back line did not function smoothly - a score nearly ensued in the first half when a kick across by Foote just beat Bottger into touch-in-goal. Shortly afterwards, Walker charged down an attempted clearance and scored from it, Bottger converting (5-0). Repeated attempts by both sides to score were heId in check until in the closing stages one of their passes went astray in their three-quarter line and Bottger, picking the ball up, raced seventy yards and outpaced his pursuers to score close in (8-0).' The coach was Piey Rees who came out of retirement to do so.  The report written, might be his.  Below is the photograph of the players.

Mike Foote adds further: 'I was the Bishops captain for that year.  The match was a long time ago but two things two things still remain clear in my mind.   Firstly, the excitement and pride in leading the Bishops team onto the hallowed grounds of Newlands.In front of a large crowd and the great way we played in winning the match.  Secondly, well into the second half, PRG penetrated our backline in our 25 and set the left wing free with an open line ahead.   Foote, from the flyhalf position, on the other side of the field, sped across to the right behind our backs and tackled the wing into touch with only about a yard for his certain try to be averted.' [Sat 2021/06/12 01:34 AM].  

Should you have any memories of the event please send it in to Paul Murray the school archivist at pmurray@bishops.org.za