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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 11. June 21, 1939

Men's Hockey

Men's Hockey

Seniors Lose again

Bottom team now as a result of a 1-6 defeat by [unclear: Karori] (2), on Saturday, the seniors are having one of their poorest seasons for years. Paradoxically enough the team on paper is particularly strong. Here is the side that succumbed to Karori (2) :

Forwards: Naidu (ex Wanganui rep.). Buchanan (1939 N.Z.U. Blue). G. Shaw (Wellington rep. 1939). Cole (N.Z.U. Blue), Souness.

Unites: Ncwcombe (captain Wellington reps. 1938). Sharpe (Wellington rep. 1939 and captain Southland reps. 1938)., Hobson (sometime captain N.Z.U, team).

Full-Backs: Banks, Dixon.

Goal: Beresford (Wellington rep. 1939).

And when Stan. Braithwaite is fit again lie will probably displace Naidu, and Ike team will thus he further strengthened by the inclusion of an ex-Auckland representative.

Experience is a valuable quality hut it would almost seem that the team is weighted down with it. We don't believe that radical changes are necessary—too often heads are demanded when things are going badly, and worse disasters then befall—but for the next mutch we suggest that Kirkham of the Senior Reserves be included as one of the full-hacks and Whitham of the Senior Seconds as either a half or a forward. With Braithwaite displacing Naidu, that would entail three changes.

End of First Round.

The first round was completed on Saturday. Only two—the Thirds and the Weir House team in the Fourth grade—of the seven 'Varsity teams have done moderately well. At time of wilting we do not know whether the seniors will be relegated. The adoption for this season of the promotion and relegation system has been so criticised that the W.H.A. may alter its decision. If it does, the seniors will remain in the First Division instead of being relegated to the Second, and the present Second Division team will remain in that grade.

Winning Vein

Gaining their third successive victory by defeating Huia 2-0 on Saturday, the Senior Reserves have struck a winning vein, Much credit must go to the roach. Dr. Campbell. He plays soundly at left-hall and his tactical knowledge is proving of great value. The main strength of the team lies in defence. In seven matches only fifteen goals have been scored against it, five of them in the first match of the season. Ian Allan kept goal with good judgment on Saturday and Roger Kirkham and King [unclear: Tahiwi] were again an efficient pair of fullbacks. The halves, John Till (captain 1. Arthur Long and Dr. Campbell played sound hockey.

Why Not Train?

For the poor records to date of most or the teams little can he said in extenuation. Nor are reasons hard to find. In the main they consist of inattention to the first essentials of sport—team-work, training, keenness and physical fitness. Fortunately the season is but half over and there is still time to build up teams worthy of the College. The material is there but it must be developed.

First and foremost the team must make sure it is one hundred per rent, fit. Mid-week training is essential and every player, whatever grade he is playing in, should make a point of going for a short run at least live days a week. The Club Training night should be attended by everyone for it is only then that the finer points of hockey may be learnt. It would also be a good idea if players would provide themselves with cheap hockey halls and practice various strokes and dribbling at home, for in this way-stick work and ball control, so sadly lacking at present, may best be developed.

Last but not least we cannot stress loo much the need for every member to go on to the field determined to put his whole heart and soul into the game, for a team can progress only If it has that enthusiasm which gives hockey the necessary life and thrust.

Representatives

It is some compensation to know-that three 'Varsity players were in the Wellington representative team that played Manawatu during the week. They were Beresford, Sharpe and Show. That the lowest club team should have three representatives is most unusual In Wellington hockey. For years Huia arid Karori have dominated the representative side.