Berghan's Brilliance

Of the players who took part in the two game. Trevor Berghan, the All Black five-eighths, must have been the answer to a New Zealand selector's dream. He was brilliant, If he does not choose to go to South Africa it will be a major Rugby tragedy for New Zealand. Steele and Cartwright, the South wings, wore excellent—dashing and hard-running. Carltwight will be heard of again and Otago must he very well off for wings if Steele is not a representative this season. Simpson of Otago is a half of the "Joey" Sadler type—not quite as brilliant, not quite as fast an "Joey" hut a good quick-moving and solid half. More too should he heard of him.

Of the North barks who did not gain selection in the New Zealand University side Rae and Mitchell went very well. Rae did not gel many chance in the first half of the match hill showed well in the second, and [unclear: Mitchell], marking the dashing [unclear: Steele,] himself showed dash and was plucky.

[unclear: McNicol] and [unclear: Burke]

In the forwards [unclear: McNicol] or Victoria showed on both days what a good forward he is. He was always up with the play. [unclear: Irwin] of Otago was another who deseved all the kudos packmen playing in New Zealand. Burke on Monday save his side a beast [unclear: on] the ball and once again is. A pass to his wing, which resulted in a try and which was given by Burke when in the act of falling headlong was one or the highlights of Monday's game, Trott, Vosaliagi, Campbell (who was unfortunutely injured in Saturday's name) Hansen, Walter, Foreman and Wall were other forwards in the two games who showed to real advantage.

The outstanding impression received from Monday's match was to this observer, the brilliant way [unclear: Simpson] and [unclear: Berghan] worked the blind side of the scrum. What a pity a few halves who run the blind so repeatedly and senselessly could not have seen this game.

The trip to Christchurch was well worth the trouble to those Wellingtonians who made it and incidentally the Christchurch hospitality was all thai could be desired. Ask any of the V.U.C. men.

—J.A.C.

•

Dorne Cup Prospects

The Club's prospects for the Dorne Cup inter-club race of live miles from Hutt Park next Saturday are considerably brighter than they were last year, when Varsity could not do better than fill seventh place out of the ten clubs competing.

The race at Dannevirke last week showed that not only are [unclear: Scrymgeour], Newall, Burge, and [unclear: O'Flynn] in good form, but that they will have some good backing tram Brewer, De la Mare and Palmer. The last three have improved rapidly over the last few weeks and were in fine fettle at Dannevirke. Henderson has made great progress of late, and he too should give a good account of himself.

Gretton has been out very little this year, but last Saturday surprised everyone by turning out in the fast pack and running splendidly. He is now very keen to run in the Dome, so it is to be hoped he can give a repetition of last week's form. Farquhar is another who has been out little this season, and although he has been one of the best in former years, is at present rather a doubtful quantity. All of these runners have set a high standard this season, and with such men in the field Vanity should have something like a good combination for the Dome Cup.

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.