Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 20, No. 8. September 14, 1956

Hockey

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.