Worksop College Rugby XV 1941-1942
1941 and 1942 produced two more phenomenal rugby teams at the College - both which remained unbeaten. The latter was voted the best schoolboy team in England (an honour shared with Bedford School). The 1941 XV, captained by H.D. Jennison scored a whopping 389 points against only 12 and was noted for its back division of N.M. Hall (Shirley 1936-1943), J.B. Millar (Mason 1937-1942), P. Carmichael (Pelham 1937-1941) and E.R. Holliday (Talbot 1936-1943). During the course of the season Trent and Mount St Mary’s were heavily defeated; Ampleforth 6-3, Denstone 17-3, St Peters York 28-0 and most impressively the mighty Sedbergh were walloped 30-0. Tragically Jennison, T.A.S. Anderson (Pelham 1934-1942) and Millar died in 1944 in Normandy at the battle of Falaise Gap, where they were all tank commanders. On a happier note Hall who captained the 1942 XV, who was first mentioned in a trial game for Prep in 1936 went on captain England 17 times and is still regarded as being one of the finest kickers of a ball the game has ever seen.
Worksop’s runaway victory (taken from The Guardian 1941)
‘Worksop College overwhelmed Mount St Mary’s College at home and won as they pleased by nine goals, one penalty goal and five tries to nothing. P. Carmichael, E.P. Clark and J.B. Millar combined outstandingly well for Worksop, and were well fed by N.M. Hall who also converted the five tries and kicked the penalty goal. Forward H.D. Jennison was outstanding, while G.S. Joss and J.W. Phillips also played very well in a good pack. Worksop are developing into a strong, fast and battling side.’
Back row (left to right) - R.V. Thompson, E.R. Holliday, J.M. Taylor, T.B.Greenwood, C.H. Ewart, W.G. Briggs
Middle row (left to right) - P.J. Walker, E. Hall, C.S. Harden Esq, G.S. Joss, D.F. Bachelor
Front row left to right) - P. Carmichael, T.A.S. Anderson, H.D. Jennison (Captain), N.M. Hall, J.B. Millar
- R.V. Thompson - Represented England in 1947 at Twikenham.
- H.D. Jennison - Played for the English Public Schools team in 1941. Had he not been killed in WWII, would have probably gone on to play for England.
- N.M. Hall went on to captain England a then record 17 times.
