Men's Hockey Club

The main hockey news is the defeat of the first V.U.C. team by A.U.C. on July 11th, in Auckland. Under ideal conditions at Hobson Park, a strong A.U.C. side, containing five N.Z.U. blues, downed. V.U.C. 6—1.

It was a fine game, and more even than the scores indicate. From the first bully Ivor Ting, the V.U.C. centre, broke away, and A.U.C. had several anxious moments in the first quarter-hour. The A.U.C. forwards broke away into V.U.C. territory several times, and when a corner was conceded, Cooper, the A.U.C. left inside, made no mistake. Shortly afterwards Mason, the Wellington goalie, was unfortunate in deflecting a shot by Cooper into the goal.

Victoria then staged a great attack, culminating in a penalty corner from which Breach, right wing, attack, Hands and Ting both missed shots, to leave the half-time score scored. Although they continued to 2—1 down.

At the begnning of the second spell the play was very even, and for some time there was no score. Then the A.U.C. forwards broke through, and from a penalty corner scored. The V.U.C. attack was weakening, but play still fluctuated around the centre of the field. With ten minutes to go A.U.C. [unclear: began] to attack very strongly, and Cooper scored from two more penalty corners. Shortly before time Smiler, the A.U.C. right inside, picked one off Mason's pads to make the final score 6—1.

In the Third Grade competition in Wellington, the second V.U.C. team suffered a defeat at the hands of Huia. The half-line functioned well, but the forwards lacked the necessary punch to decide matters. This team is improving gradually, and several promising new players will, it is hoped, strengthen the side.

Swinburne plays solidly, and Gib Bogle is showing surprising speed on the right wing. The next match will be against Air Force, the leaders of the competition, and it promises to be an interesting tussle, as John Wilson, last year's centre forward, will be back with the team.