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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 7 April 27, 1938

Cinderella's Dream Comes True

Cinderella's Dream Comes True

V.U.C. Wins Tournament Shield Stout Work at Auckland

For the first time since 1929, V.U.C. representatives were successful in winning the annual Inter University Tournament, with 9¼ points in hand. It was in all ways an excellent performance. The members of the teams deserve every congratulation.

In every respect it was a memorable Tournament for V.U.C.

Auckland was seen at its best every day but Sunday being brilliantly fine and very hot. Heavy showers on Sunday afternoon made the grass courts at Stanley Street and the track at the domain rather sticky.

Preliminaries

An hour after the train had arrived the New Zealand Students Association officers had met in the Council Room at the University to begin what proved to be the marathon event of the Tournament.

At 2.30 p.m. on Friday all gathered in the College Hall at A.U.C. (and this is a hall as is a hall) to be welcomed by the Auckland College Council. Tournament Delegates and Students' Association. The Speeches were commendably brief, bright in places, and created a good atmosphere for the events to come.

The press bureau had also met in the morning and continued, with small and insignificant periods of rest, until Tuesday morning. The Press Bureau was a new event for the Tournament, having only been formed in the past twelve months as the result of a suggestion made at the 1937 contest. Work was done which it is hoped will prove of value in the next year or two.

The games opened on Saturday morning with Tennis at Stanley Street. Athletics at the Domain, and Boxing at the Town Hall. In the latter V.U.C. had by the end of the morning managed to win three bouts. Coveney's fight was particularly interesting.

First Blood.

In the afternoon at 1 p.m. came the Basketball. At this event V.U.C. supporters established a slight vocal superiority which was never after wards seriously challenged by the other colleges. Our girls had first to play Auckland. It was their hardest game. The latter established a slight lead early, and for the first ten minutes seemed likely to win. Urged on by hakas and cheers. V.U.C. had drawn level by half-time. The second half was a neck and neck struggle, with V.U.C. improving steadily all the time. Grim determination and terrific hakas and cheers put the local girls just in front with two minutes to go. They stayed put First blood to V.U.C.! The noise was deafening.

During the progress of the second game, the news came that the Shooting team had been successful. More hakas and cheers. V.U.C. two up!

The remaining Basketball games saw many excursions on the part of supporters in search of a cure for throat trouble.

Progress reports from Stanley Street indicated that we were doing well at Tennis, and 5 p.m. found V.U.C. looking very cheerful.

Most of the men had tea in town that evening of course.

In the Ring.

The Boxing finals occupied the first half of Saturday evening. V.U.C. supporters were grouped in a strategic position in the Gallery right above the ring. Here they were well placed to encourage their men and to meet the vocal attacks of rival supporters. It was well that this was so, for the opposition was fierce. As each man stepped into the ring under the flood-lights he was roundly cheered. V.U.C. with masterly strategy made no sound until the announcer had called Coveney, our first man, and his opponent together to announce weights. Then when he said: "On my right K. Coveney, V.U.C." the building shook.

A gloom fell over our gathering of the loyal and true when the news came that Trillo had injured his arm and could not fight. It was dispelled later when Arnott put up a splendid showing against McFadzen of Otago.

Only one weight to our credit, but oh boy, the noise we made!

Then to the rendezvous at A.U.C. with the temperature at something like 120 in the shade. A good time was had by all at the rendezvous.

Sunday.

Sunday was a day of rest, in the afternoon everyone foregathered at A.U.C. for a drive. Two or three heavy showers fell, but the air soon cleared. After a tour of some of Auckland's suburbs, we made our way to the Auckland Grammar School (near the foot of Khyber Pass) where the Court of Convocation had prepared afternoon teak for the visiting teams. On Sunday evening at 8 p.m. we repaired to the Tivoli Theatre, where a gangster-cum-g-man film was given a lively reception by the four colleges.

Rowing.

On Monday morning came what was to many, one of the hightlights of the Tournament—the Rowing. Due to start at 9.30 a.m., the race was delayed for over an hour, owing to the presence of dinghies and launches (unofficial) on the course. Although the day was fine a moderate off-shore breeze put a very light chop on the water and made it difficult to hold the boats steady in line for the starter's gun was heard, and the race was on. V.U.C. were second from the shore, and from the start made the most of their position to obtain as smooth a passage as possible. The result is now history, Much argument has already been heard as to what would have happened had Canterbury not "caught a crab." It looked to us at the finish of the race as if our chaps had a little in hand yet. They were fairly fresh, and one is inclined to think that they would have gone faster to win had it been necessary. Our eight were given a warm reception. A triumph of shrewdness, fitness, and excellent combination had given V.U.C. its third win. Things were now definitely interesting. For the first time hushed voices asked: "Do you think we've got any chance...? It now became possible to say: "I don't know, but it looks like it."

Round the Track

At 2.30 we adjourned to the Domain to witness the Athletics. The position at this stage was V.U.C. 15¼ points. Auckland 6 1/2. Otago 6¼, and Canterbury 6. Even now we felt that with so many points possible going to another College in Athletics and Swimming, V.U.C. might even yet be robbed of victory.

But the Athletics showed that Victoria was not entirely without talent. Adams performed well in the sprints. Irving in the hurdles, Scrimgeour in the three [unclear: m] Given a dry track Scrim might well have made new figures for the three miles race. These three, apart altogether from minor placings, split the points effectively. When the usual brawl or hooley for college mascots had brought the proceedings to a close, they were divided very evenly between the four Colleges: Otago 7. Canterbury 6. Auckland 4. Victoria 3 and the wooden spoon.

Swimming and Moonlight.

The swimming at the Tepid Baths was Canterbury's night out. Before a crowded gallery, packed with cheering, yelling multitudes of students, they gained 5 points out of a possible 10.

Thus the result of the Tournament depended on the Tennis finals to be played on Tuesday.

In the meantime, after the Swimming, we all laid aboard the s.s. "Duchess" for a moonlight cruise to Walheke island. It was a perfect evening with a brilliant moon and scarcely a breath of wind. Owing to a late start it was not possible to land the excursionists on the island. Still, as George remarked: "Perhaps it's just as well they didn't. They'd never have got them back again."

Many unusual ways of passing the evening pleasantly were seen. Frank Fortune in particular seemed to enjoy a new sport he has discovered.

Victory in Sight.

On Tuesday the Tennis decided the fate of the Tournament Shield and brought the meeting to a close. The faint chance of winning the Shield which we had secretly nourished since Saturday had grown bolder in expression and by the time the Tennis began on Tuesday morning we were fairly confident. Our confidence in our Tennis team was fully justified. They placed the issue clearly beyond doubt. With all the finalists in the men's singles and men's doubles V.U.C. men, the women's singles gone to Elizabeth McLean, and Pat Edwards and Marie Fletcher in the final of the women's doubles, we were at last placed in an unassailable position at the head of the Tournament Shield aspirants. It seemed too good to be true. Victoria, the Cinderella of New Zealand Universities, had wished a wish, and it had come true.

Cinderella's Ball

Much could and should be said of the ball. For the first part the proceedings were a little formal, but that soon melted, and by midnight formalities were a thing of the past. The breakdown began with the presentation of trophies. (You should have seen Bob Edgley walk up to take the Tournament Shield! Was he and were we pleased?) After this had been applauded suitably things could not possible become formal again and the band, the floor, the atmosphere, and several other things combined to make it one of the biggest balls ever seen in Auckland.

It was a fitting conclusion to a splendid Tournament.

Then came the Journey home. Let's not talk about it.

—A.H.S.

Blues but not too Blue

"Salient" Gives the big hand to:

E.M. Irving, C.V. Adams, D.K. Scrimgeour in athletics.

K. Coveney, boxing.

N.M. Rose, R. P. Hansen and G.C. Broad, rowing.

Misses J.E.M. Osborne, R.W. Drummond, N. McLaren, M.A. Walker, basketball.

B.F. O'Connor, F.H. Renouf, Misses F.E. MacLean, P.M. Edwards, M.L. Fletcher, tennis.

Tennis Triumph

This year's Tournament has seen a V.U.C. tennis success unequalled throughout the whole of our history. Our representatives, a splendid team both on and off the court, achieved a brilliant series of fighting victories that resulted not only in our acquiring the Tennis Cup but also in the award of five N.Z.U. Tennis Blues to individuals for winning N.Z. titles.

Elizabeth MacLean., winner of Ladies Singles Championship. Apart from a lapse from form in the semifinal of the Combined Doubles, Elizabeth played very fine tennis throughout. Her remarkable recovery from 5-1 down in the first set of the Ladies Singles final (to win the set 7-5) is but an indication of her sterling match temperament.

Rora Mete Kingi played her natural neat game to run Miss Inwood of Canterbury to three sets. Playing nice tennis she took the second set 7-5. Good work Rora!

Kathleen Pears, who partnered Rora Mete Kingi, disposed of a strong Auckland pair in the Ladies' Doubles, did much towards the alternate success of her team-mates.

Pat Edwards brilliantly generalled our second Ladies Doubles combination to win through to become with Marie Fletcher, one of the present N.Z.U. Ladies' Doubles champions.

Marie Fletcher did her part nobly as she is highly strung and inexperienced in championship tennis we didn't know what to expect, but Marie turned up trumps. She played like a champion to deserve thoroughly her N.Z.U. Tennis Blue.

B. N. O'Connor, present holder of N.Z.U. Singles title, played beautiful tennis throughout the whole Tournament. His outstanding ability to play a fast accurate baseline game without letting up, broke down all opposition and brought him the success he deserves.

Frank Renouf, our stylist and present joint holder with O'Connor of the N.Z.U. Doubles title, played the finest shots seen on the courts. It is a treat to see Frank using his repertoire of championship strokes. He too, is now a N.Z.U. Tennis Blue.

Joe Hartley. a finalist in the Men's Doubles and semi-finalist in the Combined Doubles. Played his usual tennis, his nest net shots drawing constant applause. A Kicked service might have got Joe his N.Z.U. Blue.

Norman Morrison is perhaps the most unfortunate play of all the Colleges. Acknowledged to be our No. 1 Doubles player, and possessing an unequalled stroke equipment, a slight indisposition on the Tuesday morning just took the edge from his usual brilliancy and enabled his opponents to snatch the victory.

Charlie Plank's experience and support were invaluable. The son, used on his advice on the wet grass courts, have been brought back to V.U.C. and are on exhibition in the gymnasium.

Bruce Brock as manager served the team with his usual thoroughness and contributed in no small measure to the team's enthusiasm and camarderie which resulted in ultimate victory.

The following Tournament Forecast appeared in "Craccum" (A.U.C.), April 14:—

"Summing up, while we think that A.U.C.'s prospects are brighter than for many years. Canterbury's hold on the Tournament Shield is still very tenacious and will be indeed hard to break.

"... Victoria, in spite of vigorous protestations to the contrary, seem well set for the Wooden Spoon."

Haven't seen it, have you. Auckland?

Basketball

Before the matches commenced the V.U.C. girls confessed themselves very wobbly at the knees, but from the exhibition of basketball they gave we gathered that this wobbliness was transformed into a vigorous springiness which stood them in very good stead, so that they lifted the trophy again. Four members of the team (Ros. Drummond, Joy Osborn, Nora McLaren and Marie Walker) gained New Zealand University Blues.

The tumult from supporters (mainly the Haka Party, whose encouragement played a large part in the victory) was tremendous and became even more so as the tally of V.U.C. goals rose higher and higher.

The C.U.C. and O.U. teams were outclassed by Auckland and Victoria, although Otago gave Victoria a good run for their money, and the general standard of all games was very high, in the Otagao v. Canterbury game, Otago was giving a more impressive display at the start—showing good speed and combination. Canterbury's play was very uncertain—a lot of nervous fumbling. However, they showed themselves keen fighters and the final score was 11-10 with the victory to Canterbury.

Snappy.

Victoria's match against Auckland was the most exciting of the day—a very fast game with plenty of snappy passing to the accompaniment of well-planned and well-executed movements, stout work in the defence third and (for the most part) accurate shooting by the forwards. It was the sheer determination of the Victoria team which enabled them to win the Auckland team being really speedier.

Victoria's other matches against Otago and Canterbury were good games, especially against Otago, who were defeated by only two goals. Canterbury was defeated more or less comfortably the V.U.C. team not being extended. They had an opportunity in this match of putting into practice sundry effective tactics.

Victoria's scores were as follows:—
  • A.U.C. v. V.U.C.—17-16.

  • Win for V.U.C.

  • O.U. v. V.U.C.—15-13.

  • Win for V.U.C.

  • C.U.C. v. V.U.C.—23-12.

  • Win for V.U.C.

Rowing

Three-quarters of a length was our winning margin in the race from the eastern end of St. Heller's Ray to a point off the Tamaki Yacht Club's boathouse.

Auckland got away smartly, closely followed by Canterbury, and after a quarter of a mile were a length ahead of Victoria and Otago. After half a mile Canterbury took the lead but, catching a crab, fell back. They recovered quickly, however, and again drew ahead of Auckland.

Victoria, rowing a fast stroke drew ahead of Otago at the mile, and after passing Kohi wharf had a length on Otago. Auckland weakened at this stage and the position of the crews was then Canterbury, Auckland, Victoria. Otago, Canterbury having two lengths on Victoria at this point.

Three quarters of a mile from home Victoria challenged and rapidly closed the gap between themselves and Canterbury. Stroking 36 they drew level 100 yards, from home and Canterbury again got into difficulties. Victoria finished strongly and won comfortably. Otago not far away, were third.