Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 20, No. 8. September 14, 1956
Victoria Runners - Up — VUC representatives win six NZU Blues
Victoria Runners - Up
VUC representatives win six NZU Blues
Winning four of the eleven sports contested, VUC were runners-up to Otago University for the (non-existent) Winter Tournament Shield competed for in Christchurch during the first week of the August vacation. Six VUC team members won NZU Blues, and it was felt by many that it was only because of apparent inconsistencies and parodies in the method of awarding points for the Shield competition that VUC was robbed of victory.
Salient congratulates the following VUC competitors who won NZU Blues: Hazel Btick (women's indoor basketball), B. It. Boon and H. R. Carver (golf), B. Bradburn and J. Mansell (shooting), and A. Robinson (table tennis).
Basketball
Men's
VUC were runners up to CUC in the men's indoor basketball, and put up a very line performance in the light of the generally high standard of play shown by teams from all colleges. The Wig ram At Force gymnasium, where the events were held, had a low ceiling which dictated a cramped and unattractive style of basketball. Pre-Tournament favourites were CUC who had the four 1956 Blues-winners, and whose average height exceeded those of other teams.
The score was a fair indication of the balance of play in the first match which VUC won from OU 26-21, though the match was considered to some extent a warm-up for the night's match against Canterbury. Although closely pressed by OU, the VUC men were never really extended. Good attacking play by Aitken made him top-scorer with $2 points; consistent centre Dawkins scored 8. Line-Up guard Stephenson "sat out" the OU match, resting a troublesome ankle for the Canterbury game.
CUC established a very early lead against VUC and held it throughout the match. Good use of their height by Canterbury players kept the shorter Wellington men out from under the basket, and it was only by slow switch play that VUC managed to score goal for goal. Towards the end CUC slowed play right down, and the VUC players could not get enough of the ball to be able to make up the gap, the dual score being 33-28. For VUC Dawkins scored 9. Aitkcn and Johnston 7 each; for CUC, ex-VUC player R. Salt ton-scored with 11.
VUC defeated Lincoln 46-23 in a match in which the Victoria men conserved their energy for the following game against AUC. Dawkins scored 13. Aitken 10 and Fletcher 8.
In a close game VUC beat AUC 34-29, with Dawkins scoring 22 points for Victoria. The pattern of play was similar to that in the Canterbury match.
VUC contributed two players. Dawkins and Peter Doogue, to the NZU train, and prospects for next years' Tournament look bright for this college.
Women's
The VUC team this year had its most successful Tournament yet, winning all its games under the leadership of Hazel Blick, who was appointed captain of the NZU side for the fourth consecutive year. Hazel was awarded an NZU Blue, the first ever in the sport. Other VUC players who made the NZU side were Kath Bedingfield, Ina Bowman and Judy Davenport.
Penelope Riske played well as a guard in her second tournament Julie Walpole and Elizabeth, both newcomers to Tournament, played soundly and improved steadily as the tournament progressed. The team's success must be attributed to the strong forward line revolving round Hazel Blick, who was ably assisted by Ina Bowman and July Davenport. Of the guards. Kath Bedingfield was especially valuable in her rebound play.
Results were: defeated OU 33-27, defeated MAC 52-9, defeated CUC 35-16. defeated AUC 26-15.
In the match NZU versus Canterbury the provincial side won 27-24. It was an exciting match and the standard of play reached was very high—NZU sides have in the past been beaten decisively by provincial sides.
Fencing
As was prophesied in the last issue of this newspaper, there was a remote possibility that VUC would not win the NZU Fencing Tournament at Christchurch this year. The remoteness of this possibility was emphasised by the way VUC won the men's and women's foil events. However. Victoria lost the sabre event and only its reputation carried the day in the final analysis, which permitted VUC 5½ points, OU 4½. CUC 1½. AUC ½. Individually, the Tournament was also a success, VUC providing both the women's and men's NZU champions.
Alan Wilson, who muddled, or rather combined, intricate foot and wrist work to win half his tournament bouts (fencing). Kent Beard, as his father called him, believes that one bottle of beer (full) contains as much food value as one egg (fresh), and this semi-religious concept enabled him to persolate into the NZU team. Christopher Beeby, undaunted by a negligible I.Q. won many vital points by running at his opponents with shrill cries of "Rape!"
"Thrice armed is ho who has his quarrel just.
But ten times he who get his blow in fust"
Janet Serivens, Srivener to her intimates, made her debut without debacle, and managed to put her finger in the hole of our dyke of fencing hopes more than once.
Anthony Ellis, entirely unsuited to anything but armed combat, was warned several times about carrying an old screw-driver in his free hand, but [ unclear: attaine finally] to sit victorious on the afore mentioned dyke.
By the way, VUC won the Otago Fencing Shield, and the Fencing for the third time in succession.
Golf
The VUC team played inconsistently in the qualifying rounds to be second to OU. However, after familiarising themselves with the beautiful yet difficult Russley Course, they assorted themselves, and eventually ran out comfortable winners. OU were second.
Highlights of the qualifying rounds were G. F. Blathwayt's first round score of 77, which was also the best card returned during the qualifying rounds, and the fact that all four members of the team qualified.
In the first round T. M. Gault (VUC) was unlucky to be drawn against Carver (VUC) and nut up a very good fight to lose only 2/1. Blathwayt succumbed to the more experienced Boon (VUC), who then did well to defeat Wilkinson (OU) in the afternoon. Carver defeated agriculturist Quirk of Massey.
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H. R. Carver . . . third golf title
Boon then met Carver in the semifinal and after an interesting game Carver won 3/2.
In the final Symthe (AUC) played better irons to win all the short holes. Carver, however, was out-hitting him and had the edge on him at the majority of the others. Smythe failed to take an Opportunity to square the game at the [ unclear: 17th] when he missed a short putt after Carver had done likewise, and he went on to the 18th one down. A half in fours here gave the title to Carver.
In the NZU game against Canterbury Barry Boon started brilliantly and continued well to hold the redoubtable Stanley as far as he did. Boon lost 2/1 but it was a performance which justifiably earned him an NZU Blue. Carver also played outstanding golf in his match with the Canterbury number one Ron Clements. It was a very tense and close struggle throughout with Carver finally winning on the 18th in brilliant fashion with a birdie.
Carver is to be congratulated on winning the NZU golf title for the third year in succession which must surely be a feat that is unparalleled in University golf.
Hockey
Men's
As was the case last year Victoria finished runners-up to Otago University to whom they conceded their only loss during Tournament. It was a pity that, in what was later shown to be virtually a final, the two strongest teams were drawn to play each other in the first round.
Otago 4—Victoria 0
This first round game was played on the Monday morning on a ground made heavy after an overnight frost. Playing was further made difficult by the uneven nature of the ground.
This was an uninspiring game which at no stage looked like attaining the heights of last year's corresponding fixture. Otago were soon into their stride and at no stage did they let the fast Victoria forward line settle down and assert their true worth. Only good defensive work on the part of the VUC backs kept the score down and Taylor in goal made some excellent saves. However, it was only the brilliant positional play and stickwork of the Otago captain Patel playing at centre-half that prevented Victoria from scoring on several occasions.
Victoria 4—Massey 0
In the afternoon VUC played the weakest team, Massey, and won comfortably. The team settled down well and played good hockey, developing a combination that was not witnessed in the game against Otago. The score should have been greater, but the forwards on several occasions failed to press home the advantage after the opposing defence had been left wide open.
Taylor in goal again played well. Others who caught the eye were Haskell and Mathieson in the forward line and Cathro in the halves.
Victoria 3—Canterbury 1
Another game of lost opportunities. However the result was rarely in doubt, for except on few occasions, at no stage did Canterbury look dangerous. O'Connor, who had been playing consistently well up to that stage, returned another fine game, as did Humphries and Latimer.
Victoria 2—Auckland 0
This was probably the best game the team played. The forwards rose to the occasion and a fast and entertaining game resulted. Superior teamwork and defence on the part of VUC thwarted several attacks by Auckland that looked promising. VUC forwards with more room to move in, made the most of their opportunities and with their second goal put the result beyond doubt. Taylor and Haskell again played outstanding games.
Victoria 1—Lincoln 0
A most uninspiring game. The strain of the week's hockey had begun to show and several members of the team did not play up to their usual form. As a result at no stage did the game reach great heights.
Haskell, Latimer and Taylor, who had played consistently throughout, fully deserved their places in the fullyy deserved their places in the NZU side.
Women's
Victoria failed to win a match in the Women's Hockey at Christchurch, losing to CUC 4—0; OU 5—1; and AUC 3—0. The play generally was of a high standard, especially Otago's who fielded an exceptionally strong team. They won the Pember Reeves Stick decisively—without losing a match.
It was unfortunate that all the team matches were over by Tuesday morning. It would have been less gruelling had the play been spread over three days.
Overhead conditions were perfect for play, [ unclear: lot] the grounds were very heavy and some members of the team had difficulty in adapting themselves to the conditions.
In all the games the VUC forwards lacked initiative and combination, being too slow to sieze scoring opportunities. As a result the halves and barks were under constant pressure and could not play their usual open, attractive game. The goalie showed better form in the last two games than she had done throughout the season.
Those who impressed in the Victoria team were the backs—Ruth Kingsford and Cherry Pointon, and halves Rae Goodwin and Sally Gentry—all of whom played very well on defence. Betay Andrews was the best of the forwards.
The College Council and the Executive has approved the use and design of the proposed VUC Miniature Rifle Club badge.