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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 3 March 22, 1939
Sport
Sport
Athletics Improvement
Judging by performances at the Inter-Faculty sports last Saturday, V.U.C. will be represented at Tournament by a much stronger athletics team than was the case last year, when we were able to gain only three of the twenty points allotted.
It will be recalled that we fared badly at Auckland in swimming, boxing and athletics. The swimmers, in fact, failed to secure a point, while the boxers gained only one and a quarter of the ten to be won in their sphere. For Dunedin, however, swimming prospects are much better, and a useful band of boxers has been selected.
The athletics team will be chosen during the course of this week. Our three N.Z.U. title-holders, E. M. Irving, D. R. Scrymgeour and C. V. Adams, are again certain of inclusion. At last, too, there is ground for hope of success in field events. Inter-faculty showed that in this department, so weak in the past, Victoria will be represented by some good men.—L.B.S.
Swimming
So the swimming season is almost over. There is now only the final club night to-night, and Tournament—and the swimming costumes will be put away among the moth bolls, except for those hardy annuals who may be seen every lunch hour through the year at Te Aro Baths.
The carnival last week was very successful, though the meagre attendance was somewhat disappointing. Some promising talent was disclosed in the Freshers' Chumps and several new ladies appeared from nowhere to give quite creditable performances—notably Misses Walton. Spiers, and Wympenny. Andy Taylor, as was expected, won the 100 yards Club Champ, with comparative ease from Frank O'Flynn, though if Taylor does not learn to swim straight, he will certainly be disqualified.
The novelty event was lovely. Entrants had to swim one with under water, climb out, run round the baths and sing a popular song loudly, dive in again, and nice to the other side. Mr. Shannon's rendering of "Popeye the Sailor." and Mr. O'Klynn's delicate tenor in "Rollo the Ravaging Roman." delighted the watchers. Shannon won, after a close struggle for supremacy.
The water polo match—Law and Commerce v. Arts and Science, resulted in a win for Law and Commerce by three goals to nil. Owing to Mr. Hurdle's gentle refereeing, foul play was reduced to a minimum, and no one was ordered out of the water.
The diving was spectacular, especially Mr. Jowett's exhibition, and resulted in a win for Miss Spiers, with Shannon a close second. Mr. Jowett. disappointed in not gaining a place, gave a further exhibition, and was duty awarded a special booby prize.
Shanahan, the club's new breaststroke swimmer, was in good form, and almost caught up with Sylvia Hefford. Sylvia did not break 100 secs., which she will have to do if she is to gain us a title at Tournament this year. Shanahan is a potential title winner. Davies will not be representing much longer, and as he is still young. Shanahan should stand a good chance in a year or two.
As the club night to-night is the last of the season. It is to be hoped that every member will turn out, and make [unclear: ite] a real miniature carnival.
Cricket
To supporters of University in club cricket, the 1939 season has been extremely disappointing Strong on paper and possessing cricketers of marked ability, the senior team is finishing the season with a very poor record.
Not the least of W. Tricklebank's troubles as captain has been a lack of varlety in bowling at his command. Medium paced right-handers have at limes proved an embarrassment and the team has often felt the lack of a good slow right-hander, although the slow left-hander. Harpur has done fairly well.
Opponents have been presented with scores of runs through slovenly fielding, and several lost games can be directly attributed to dropped catches. The last match against Wellington is an instance.
At times the side has scored heavily. But frequently inexplicable breakdowns hive occurred, perhaps partly due to the fact that throughout the season practice wickets on Kelburn Park have been Ill-prepared and practice on them has sometimes been more harmful than beneficial.
Averages
With one match to play. J. A. Ongley heads the batting averages with 301 runs at 30.10. Then follow T. A. Harpur with 300 at 25. N. H. McMillan 189 at 23.6. W. F. Vietmeyer. 180 at 22.5 W. Tricklebank. 279 at 22.4 and P. D. Wilson. 278 at 24.5.
W. Tricklebank has been the best bowler with 29 wickets at an average of 21.5. followed by Harpur (20 at 21.9), and J. B. Stephenson (18 at 24.4).
—L.B.S
Rowing
The final crew for Tournament this year has not yet been decided upon, but the following eight has been out on the water on several occasions: Mahood (str.). Hansen (7). Bullock (6). Bannister (5). Rose (4). Ryan, (3). Bryan (2). Gray (bowl, with Jack as a spare part.
All these men have had experience in regatta trowing throughout the sason and the crew should be little more experienced than last year's.
There are live men of last year's victorious eight still in the boat, though only one is in the same position: this is Hansen at seven—an important position and one which he is well qualified to fill. He has rowed in four previous Tournaments and has been the foundation round which recent crews have been built.
Mahood Stroke
Stroke will be Tom Mahood—last year's three. If he will get the utmost out of the finish, with a steadiness in recovery he should make a success of the position. Bannister is new blood, but has been coached well at school and is showing good form. The other new men are Ryan, who has had a good season in a lightweight crew and Gray whose neatness will be useful in the bow seat.
Coach Spurdle is pleased with the crew—"I am concentrating on balance at present, and when we get that we can put on a bit of power," he has observed.
At Weir
The philosophy of many Weir House residents being that an assiduous application to sport is in itself sufficient guarantee of success in Varsity exams it occasions little surprise to find that all varieties of sporting activity are in full swing at that institution.
A review of billiards form is at present impossible as the regular devotees have not yet settled down to steady practice. At the moment, new residents and moths are vying in pock-marking the cloth, and a later sports flash may give a progress report of this competition.
The rattle of ping-pong balls continues to a late hour and engages those few who are not attracted by the nearby tennis courts and cricket practice pitches. A table-tennis tournament will shortly be in progress. Present form suggests that last year's victor, de la Mare, may again carry off the laurels. There are however, several old residents with the experience born of long devotion and many freshers of unknown capacity who may be capable of providing an upset.
The "Weir Willow"
The result of the North versus South cricket match, which was to have been played last Sunday, has not filtered through to us but a stern encounter for the "Weir Willow" was anticipated, the respective teams comprising those educated north or south of Wellington. We know, however, that the affair was attracting considerable talent, fully ten per cent. of the players chosen having played the game before.
Of course, apart from the sports noted above, the many attractions across the Harbour claim the attention or several. Those who hie themselves to Day's Bay of a sunny afternoon show. Obvious zest in their cultivation of summing tennis and—well what are your idea of sport?
Frank Fortune Departs
With the transfer of F.W. Fortune. B.Com. to Rotorua, V.U.C. has lost a familiar and popular figure, Frank was club caption of the Cricket Club for two years and on the field was a useful all-rounder verging on senior standard. A keen and observant Rugby partisan, be played some games for the Senior B team last season, and lately has been playing a good deal of tennis. Frank's many friends hope that if his employers have the opportunity, they will send him back to Wellington.
—L.B.S.
Lively Ladders
Tennis Flourishing
Active ladders are often a good index or enthusiasm in a tennis club. This season the number of ladder matches played on the concrete courts of V.U.C. has been exceptional. There has probably never been a season when keener competition for places has been evident, especially in the men's section.
The Men
Ferkins is still top. There is not much difference between Ferkins and Morrison as doubles players, but in singles the former remains the club's outstanding player. Although he obtains most of his practice on other courts his willingness to coach and to help the club in any way make him a valuable club member also.
Runouf is second, having displaced Morrison after a close struggle. He must be seriously considered for the singles title at Tournament and next season may be a force to be reckoned with at the National Championships.
Morrison, captain of the Tournament team, is third and R. W. Baird. fourth. Baird joined the club only this season and he has beaten some sound players in attaining his present position. He can regard his record for the season with satisfaction for last Saturday he contested the championship singles final with Ferkins.
Lower down are O'Connor and Hartley, both Tournament representatives. Sandford. Foley and Cope. Baird narrowly missed selection. In this year's Tournament team. He and Cope should be serious contenders for places in 1940.
Womens Ladder
If not quite so active as the men's, the women's ladder is vigorous and hard to climb. Heading it is the 1938 N.Z.U. title-holder, Elizabeth MacLean whose powerful forehand drive is usually too much for her opponents. In second place is Mary Edwards, with Lorna Mete Kingi third. Kathleen Pears fourth and Pixie Higgin fifth. Potential Tournament players in lower positions include B. Marsh and L. Marshall.
The Championships
Dropping only one game. R. Ferkins defeated R. W. Baird to take the men's championship once again. Baird was outclassed, but did very well to reach the final.
No other finals have been played, but matches in the three other divisions are so well advanced that the championships will probably be completed before Easter—the earliest for many years. Kathleen Pears and Elizabeth MacLean will again contest the women's singles final. The former has also reached the final in the Combined Doubles and Women's Doubles events.
—L.B.S.
Tramping
Tauherenikau Hut is not very far from the road: this, perhaps, explains the great number who turned out on the club's weekend trip to the Chateau.
There wasn't very much to do except sleep, eat, swim and sunbathe, and everybody did a great deal of each. Under the capable stewardship of Mr. Bradshaw and Marie Collin, a number of excellent meals were prepared, ranging from Cheerio stew to fried eel. The swimming pool near Smith's Creek was well patronised; Messrs. Meek and Braybrooke will be eternally grateful for the broad-mindedness of Miss Hodge.
Songs in a lorry are always exhilarating; the selection on this trip, although no less hearty than those of previous expeditions, seemed somehow to lack strength, due, no doubt, to the absence of older members whose lusty bawls, while far from musical, lend power to the club songs. Indeed, It was a great pity that more of the older members of the club were not present at the Chateau on Saturday for the new members, while not failng in tramping ability and enthusiasm, lacked the ability to "mix." However, this rugged Individualism will no doubt soon wear off and with the return of the older members from their summer hibernation (if there be such a term), club trips should regain their old atmosphere.
Anyway, a good time was had by all (as always) and the enthusiasm shown in all activites—even including actual tramping—augurs well for the coming season.
•
Best Performances
Inter-Faculty Sports
J. S. Adams (High Jump). 5ft. 9½[unclear: ing] E. M. Irving, winner of 120. 220 [unclear: a] 440 yards hurdles.
J. Eastwood, 100 yards in ten and one-tenth secs, and 220 yards in twenty-two and four-fifth [unclear: cs].