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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol 1, No. 12 June 22, 1938

Sport — Rugby Disappointment

page 4

Sport

Rugby Disappointment

On the result of Saturday's vital game with Eastbourne hung our chance of promotion to the First Division. To the disappointment of 'Varsity's many supporters, the team went down to narrow defeat, 3-5, in a game of lost opportunities.

The defeat was not due to any lapse of form, as both backs and forwards played one of their best games to date. Without being unsporting, it can be said that 'Varsity were unfortunate to lose as they spent the major part of the game on attack, doing everything but score. A reliable goal kicker might have won the game as many penalties were awarded in easy positions but failed to bring points. It must in fairness be said, however, that the wet conditions made accurate kicking difficult.

The Forwards.

The forwards went very well as a pack, playing the right game for the day, and gained much ground with sweeping, dribbling rushes. Thomas, Burke and McNicol were prominent, and Blacker played a very good game, easily his lest this season. Burke out-hooked the opposition and gave the backs plenty of ball, but the rain and mud made handling difficult.

Backs Play Well.

Larking at half and Wild at first five-eights sharpened up the attack. Getting the back line moving briskly. Larkin gave good service from the serum and is developing into a sqund half-back.

Wild played his usual line game and scored Varsity's only try after one of his brilliant swerving runs Byers also showed penetrative ability and made several bursts through the opposition.

The three-quarters were triers all day, but, in the atrocious weather conditions, did not receive many chances.

Kissel at full-back fielded the greasy ball magnificently and gave a fine display.

Tramping

Wet Sunday

Typical Wellington week-end weather probably frightened away several would be trampers and [unclear: tramperettes] from the Sunday trip to Belmont; however about a dozen hearty lads and lasses were present when the bus left. The "Deputy Leader" and a "Guide" (in red shorts) were collected at Lower Hutt and the party began its arduous ascent of the mountain. Having struggled up a road and through a few paddocks, they at last reached the trig. A halt was called to await two stragglers who arrived almost at the summit by motor. A fine view of Wellington, Hutt Valley, etc., was obtained as per syllabus Dark clouds in the south suggested rain, so the party moved down a spur to the Horokiwi Stream and enjoyed a well merited meal, including tea brewed by Mr. Watson-Munro in his own inimitable style. After lunch a campfire was made and although darkness was lacking, old and new extrav. Songs were sung with gusto.

Thence came the trek up a steep ridge, on to the Horokiwi Road. During this part of the trip heavy rain was encountered, but with the aid of ground sheets, sleeping bags, and other odds and ends, the party remained tolerably dry. The rain cleared and great fun was had splashing along the road and admiring the splendid view. Strains of Cilbert and Sullivan were once again heard, so the party made off for Petone and caught a convenient bus home.

—D.R.

Table Tennis Progress

The Club, having just procured two new tables and new equipment, will soon be able to commence its activities in earnest. Club nights will probably be on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when balls will be provided by the Club. On all other occasions members will be expected to provide bats and balls.

Good table tennis is not possible on bad tables. If the tables are scratched and chipped a good standard will be hard to attain. Therefore, students treat the tables with care.

It is seldom that an all Black Rugby team contains two men who are also New Zealand representative cricketers. In W. Carson and E. Tindill the 1938 All Blacks have two very fine all-round sportsmen. Probably the finest cricketer-footballer in the British Empire to-day is the South African, H. G. Owen-Smith. A tower of strength in the South African cricket team that toured England (a century-maker in a Test), he later went to Oxford, won a boxing blue. And later captained England at Rugby. He played at full-back.

Tournament Representatives

Hockey Team for Dunedin.

The team for the New Zealand University Hookey Tournament early next month is as follows:—
  • Goal: Benjamin.
  • Full-backs: Dixon, Camp.
  • Halves: Johnston, Newcombe (Captain), Christie, Bryan.
  • Forwards: Eggleton, Pitt, Cole, Shaw (Vice-Capt.), Braithwaite.

The players will have to leave [unclear: Wellington] not later than 2nd July as the first matches are to be played on Monday, 4th July, Either Camp or Bryan will probably be Dixon's partner at full-back.

Losses on Saturday.

Outplayed in all departments, Seniors lost to the formidable first Karori team 1-7. Newcombe's this season have usually played better in the second half than in the first but while holding Karori in check to some extent in the first half. They were unable to keep the blacks at bay in the second.

Both Senior B team lost. There is good material in these elevens and the defeats are probably due to inattention to practice and training as much as to anything else. Players in lower grade teams attend practice on Thursday nights better than do Senior B men, and the latter are the Senior A players of the immediate future.

If a Things Worth Doing … "Scoop" Admonishes.

It is obvious that many new players do not appreciate the fact that hockey, like soccer, is an extremely scientific game. In addition to getting fit, therefore, a player must be diligent in his study of stick work and tactical movements. A regrettable feature is the poor use made of the "push" and especially the "scoop" shot. Players should roll up in force to training and, by listening to the coach and by reading authoritative books, make every possible effort to raise themselves above the ruck. Particularly should the "hit and run" player and the one who does not keep his proper position in relation to the other players act on this advice.

Players must keep their eyes on the ball and be more careful in passing. In time these antics will naturally become co-ordinated and a proper sense of anticipation will be developed.

Those players who do not turn out regularly cannot hope to improve and are letting their team-mates down. Besides, it does not show the proper college spirit to outside teams.

Basketball

V.U.C. v. Dental Clinic.

On Saturday morning V.U.C. met Dental Clinic, whom they defeated 23-7. Varsity were decidedly superior in all thirds and played a very good game.

V.U.C. v. Awatea.

In the match against Awatea Varsity won by a narrow margin of two goals, the score being 18-16. The co-ordination between the thirds was good and the game was very fast. Awatea were threatening to catch up, but the rain interrupted play about eight minutes before time, and after that the game was rather slow.

V.U.C. v. Furlor.

The Senior B team suffered rather a heavy defeat against Furlor, losing by 18 goals to 5. Furlor were an older and more experienced team than Varsity and were able to anticipate the tactics of our players. Although our girls got a good share of the ball they were unable to get the goals.

Provided our Senior A team plays against Kia Ora as brilliantly as they did against Wellington East Old Girls on the King's Birthday they have every chance of winning. If they do win. Varsity will be only behind Wellington East who are leading in the first round.

Discretion is an inability to discern basic causes.

Women's Hockey

Confidence Needed

The Victoria collage women's hockey team is suffering from a grave inferiority complex, which is spoiling their play. There is no reason for them to go to Dunedin next month convinced that they will be defeated.

There are three things that some of the less experienced players could bear in mind with profit. They are:
1.Keep your position.
2.Hockey requires more concentration than a game of chess. Concentrate on the ball from the first bully to the last whistle, no matter what part of the field the play is in.
3.Never hang back. Even if there is not a chance of your getting the ball, your opponent will have something to worry about if you try to get it.

Improved Form.

The game which Varsity played against Poneke on Saturday was one of their best to date. Although the score was against them, the ball was often in Varsity's circle. By the end of the season the forward line will probably have overcome the regrettable tendency to fumble with the ball in the circle and the team will surprise themselves by winning a game. Helen Christie, in the goal, and Joan Bacon and Betty Rider, the full-backs, played well. They did not receive as much support as they should have done from the halves who are not quick enough in getting back after the ball has been in their own circle. Two of Poneke's goals were scored after the ball had been cleared from Varsity's circle into a long unprotected area, the three halves being still on the edge of the circle. 'Varsity's one goal was scored by Geraldine Kean, who played a good game. The forward line combined better than usual and their improved passing to the right was the reason why they got the ball down the field as often as they did.

The Tournament Team

The team going to Dunnedin will consist of:—
  • Helen Christie, goal-keeper, who has played well during the season. When she has developed her kick, which she is doing rapidly, she will be excellent.
  • Joan Bacon, right full-back, a New Zealand blue, Joan is one of the most reliable players in the team. She plays good hockey and has a useful hard hit.
  • Betty Rider, left full-back, is a keen and promising player. She should develop her stick work and hit harder.
  • Ruth Crombie, right half, can get the ball but should learn to pass it to the right wing. Try holding your stick a little lower down, Ruth, and keep in position.
  • Nancy Bayfeild, centre half, a New Zealand blue. Nancy is one of the mainstays of the team and plays a good game in this difficult position.
  • Barbara Thompson, left half, is not playing regularly this season but played well last year.
  • Florence Chivers, right wing. Plays well when she gets the ball, passing to the right being one of the finer points of hockey that the forward line is still mastering. She should hit harder when she centres.
  • Geraldine Kean, right inner, an experienced and reliable player. If she hit harder in the circle she would score more goals.
  • Susie Sanders, centre forward. Another potential goal scorer, she hits hard and her stick work is good. Pass to the right Susie.
  • Betty Stubbs, left inner, plays very promissing hockey for so inexperienced a player. Read some books on the subject, Betty.
  • Irene O'Donnell, left wing, has improved rapidly during the season. She takes the ball up well, but should centre sooner and harder.
  • Mary Frankish, emergency, could throw herself into the game with a little more enthusiasm. She has yet to strike her best form.

A large muster of players listened to A.P. O'Shea. Rughy Club Captain on Wednesday night in the Gym when he drew spirited attention to the need for improvement in club spirit in certain directions, Players who fail to notify anybody that they are unavailable were singled out for special mention. That the teams are not doing as well as they should is evident, and it behoves club officials to take stock of the position. Frank Kilby was present by invitation and later gave the half-backs some useful advice.

  • I can't imagine what the Duke of Wellington
  • Would say about the music of Duke Ellington.