Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 11 June 15, 1938

Sport

page break

Sport

Another Tournament

One of the strongholds of hockey in this country is the New Zealand University. At each of the constituent Colleges the game rivals rugby as a popular winter pastime. For the annual inter-College Hockey Tournament, to be held early next month, the venue this year is Dunedin and thither two V.U.C. teams—a men's and a women's team—will travel. To spur on the men there is the Seddon Stick, last won by Victoria in 1938, when the Tournament took place in Wellington.

Below, the form of prospective men representatives is discussed by "Scoop." A review of the prospects of the women's team will appear in a later issue.

on the 2nd July, the first XI and two emergencies will leave for Dunedin for the New Zealand University Hockey Tournament Included in the team will be one representative player. Newcombe and a 1937 Auckland representative. Braith waite, Shaw, the centre forward, has played in one representative game this season. Also, New combe and a 1937 Auckland represen-Cole have already obtained their N.Z. University Hockey Blues. The club may feel justify proud that Newcombe and Shaw have been selected to train for the Wellington learn to play "The Prince of Manavadar's Indian Team" on Saturday, the 26th June. The New Zealand University Hockey Team has been granted the privilege of meeting the indians at Dunedin on Saturday, the 9th July.

All players mentioned below are available except Banks and Williams, but Dixon and Braithwaite are doubtful. It will be readily seen that Victoria should be able to field a stronger team than last year, Benjamin has shown greatly improved form on last season, but in case of accident, Olive would prove a good custodian; Banks is giving a sound and technical display at left back, but unfortunaely is not available and a good senior B player. Sandford, may yet find a place. Dixon, the right back, is cool-headed and developing along the right lines. Johnson, left half, who went South recently, fortunately will be picked up at Christ-church, He has great eye and is a good positional player. Christie, at present left half, is a keen and willing player and is showing indications of becoming a first-class senior.

Newcombe in the brains or the team and on form his anticipation and team movements are outstanding. Eggleton is very fit and a wily player. T. Williams was a Senior A player for Papa-toetoe, but is yet an unknown quantity in the left wing position. Cole was complimented in Auckland on his stickwork and has shown exemplary improvement this season. Shaw this year has the advantage of having other forwards or a better class than formerly, to support him. He is forceful and tricky forward that many a defence has read. Braithwaite should become a dangerous scoring forward when be strikes his Auckland form. Bryan has now been chanced to right wing and is very fast and accurate in his centres. Camp, unfortunately, has not regained hit old from, but there is still time. Pitt is giving some good displays, but is only suitable as an inside forward. Mcintosh is a Speedy half and the selectors will no doubt not overlook his talents.

Tramping

Thirteen Men and a Girl

Mr. Butchers, emerging from a wet tent, surveyed the weather, the assembled trampers, and the river, and said, in a miserable tone: "I came over bare for a pleasure trip. I'm going back to Wairenga." One other tramper was of the name opinion, so the two disappeared down the river, thus missing a really splendid trip.

The previous evening had seen the party—thirteen men and one girl—[unclear: boundering] through the Five Mile, gorging at Tawhai Hut, stumbling up the Orongorengo River to Boulder Creek, and there camping in the rain.

Certainly Sunday morning justified Mr. Butchers' attitude. Heavy rain and severe cold are unpleasant, even after a breakfast of beans, on toast and stewed fruit. But, comparatively undismayed, the party clambered up to Boulder Saddle, losing one member, whose avoirdupois and inexperience made him unable to "take it." The residue descended, encountering nettles and circumnavigating waterfalls, to the Wharepapa River and Eglington's sheep station at Palliser Bay. Here same fine views of the Wairarapa were obtained, the weather being perfect. An easy walk round the coast brought the party to the Mukumuku Stream, and a halt was made at Black Hut.

Most of the roof and sides of Black Hut was missing, but the problem was solved by pitching a tent inside the but. Two large billies of luscious stew were soon prepared and devoured, and a camp fire and sing-song put new life into the party. The leader then commenced to sing Gilbert and Sullivan, so everybody went to bed.

Sausages and bacon for breakfast, and the patty was off again, dawdling up to South Matthews Saddle and down again into the Orongorongo River in the sunshine. After eating the residue of the food, a fast party hissed through the Five Mile to catch the five boat for Wellington, and the leader carefully and slowly escorted three slower trampers back to their respective habitations.

Special mention must be made of Jean McKenale, who, with no previous tramping experience, did the whole trip Cheerfully and well.

Basketball

The following girls are to he congratulated on getting into the Senior A Representative trials:—
  • Pixie Higgin.
  • Nora McLaren.
  • Erice Overtoun.
  • Janet Grainger.
  • Marie Walker.
and in the Senior B Representative trials:—
  • Nancy Bullen.

We wish them the best of luck!

Senior B Rugby

Handicapped by having no regular coach, and by a consequent lack of enthusiasm among its members, the Senior B team has done well to win three of its five matches to date, losing the other two by small margins. This team on paper is just about as good as the A's, it contains many players wild Senior A experience and with due attention to training and proper coaching could easily head the grade. Injuries, too, have played a part in this team's rather disorganised state. However, two players Harpur and Armour, earned selection in the Senior B reps., with Cunliffe also selected as emergency. The latter has been playing good football in the front row of the scrum, while the rest of the forwards are a pretty even lot, with plenty of weight and some speed. With regular mulches and training they would make a first-class pack. The backs are very sound with Brock the mainstay at half and McCowan a tower of strength at full-back. There are two fast and experienced wingers in Harpur, and O'Regan, hut those need to get more of the ball if the team wants to win its future matches.

It cannot be too strongly urges onthe members of this team that they should turn out regularly to practice. Even if they haven't a coach on practice nights, it will benefit them immensely to have the whole team together once at least during the week. With the facilities available on Kelburn Park, facilities the Club has never had before, there should be no reason for failing to turn up. Sacrifice going out with the girl friend and come to practice—take our tip, the Senior B champ, is yours if you want it.

Special Rugby Meeting

All playing members of the V.U.C. Rugby Club an reminded of the special meeting of the Club to be held in the Gym. to-night at 8 o'clock.

ߦ

On form at Athletic Park last Saturday, two University men have good chances of going to Australia this year. Berghan's excellent play at first five-eighths must have strongly impressed the selectors, and Williams in the South pack was often under notice. Berghan is at Otago and Williams at Canterbury,

ߦ

Efforts to secure Kelburn Park for hockey this season proved unavailing. Last year Rugby had one ground there and Soccer the other; now Rugby has both ground, but the code has suffered severely in other districts within the metropolitan area.

Inter-Island Rugby

Considering the adverse weather conditions (rain falling steadily and continuously a few minutes after the start well into the second hair), the North v. South match was on entertaining spectacle. This, the principal domestic mulch of the season, is usualLy a high-flooring affair, weak tackling being the usual reason; but though a cricket score seemed probable after the first 20 minutes of play on Saturday, a tightening up of defence and a greasy ball kept the score in check thereafter.

South were undoubtedly the superior team all round: They defended better and were more thrustful ane entrprising on attack. Controling the scrums, their fast, heavy Forwards wore equally effective in the loose. In the forward passing rushes, too, the handling of those big men was remarkably sure. They also resorted to frequent dribbling rushes with marked success.

Perhaps the solid "Brushy" Mitchell, the incisive Berghan and the agile Taylor were the best South backs, but they were all good.

South had is points up in the first 17 minutes and led by 20 to 3 at half-time. Much interest was taken in the play of Ron. Masters, two years ago fullback for Old Boys and a Senior B cricketer for V.U.C. Not so fast and spectacular as Taylor, he nevertheless did not suffer so much by comparison with the Dunedin man; his catching of the slippery ball was splendid throughout, much of bis kicking, both left and right-Fooled, was good, and he showed courage in going down on the ball in the face of strong forward rushes. But he marred an otherwise very fair display by several costly mis takes in judgment, especially in the first half and by intermittent inability to find the line.

Russell, the North half, went off at halt- time Crossman moving in. Russell bad not been impressive but the fast breaking forwards (allowed rather 100 much latitude by the referee) had been harassing him. Phillips made several good dashes down the line for North.

If rather more even in the second spell, the game was yet South's from start to finish. It was a subdued crowd after half-time, for though the Northeners were by then adapting themselves to conditions in which their opponents seemed to revel, they could neither score nor gain a territorial advantage. North's points came from a penalty-goal. South's from six tries and a penalty.

But it was an enjoyable game, even to the seven or eight thousand dripping and steaming spectators on the Western bank.

L.B.S.

Harriers

On Saturday 38th May, the Club ran from Island Bay. The trail, which was laid by P. D. O'Flynn, led from Island Bay to Melrose and up to the Mt. Albert trig. From there it descended to Newtown and passed along the town bolt to Crawford Road, returning to Island Bay by way of Kilbirne and Lyall Bay. The fast pack covered the course in good time and was led home by M. J. Hoffman, who run very well.

After the run, Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Shorland entertained the club in a manner which harriers' appreciate, and, as in past years, the club did justice to the good things provided. D. R. Scrymgeour thanked Mr. and Mrs. Shorland on behalf of the club, and expressed the club's pleasure at seeing Brian hack from England with his Ph.D.

Davy Cairns then presented to the club the Cairns Cup. This cup is to be awarded at the end of each season to the runner showing the greatest improvement during the season,

Last Saturday the club divided into two packs, ran from Thorndon, going over the north end of Tinukori to Wadestown and then to Khandallah, returning down Onslow Road and along the Hutt Road.

Bob Hop

Who ever beard or dinner suits at a Bob Hop? but three were out for an airing last Monday night apparently. The floor wan not too crowded and for once there was a surplus of males. Two students or some such, produced some inelegant noises (so I am informed) which turned out to be mystic music and the over-supply of males listened to it whilst propping up various parts or the building.

Guy Bliss lead the singing of some Extrav. songs in his inimitable fashion. The mystery supper served, consisted of chaws and biscuits in mysterious bags—the whole effect being to leave a mysterious unfilled feeling in the inner regions.

However, the Chinese relief fund benefited to the extent of £5 and that's quite it pleasing effort.—V.E.