Soccer Team Playing Well

This season has seen an exceptional improvement in Victoria's first Soccer eleven, a fact proved by the team's unbeaten record in the Senior B championship.

In this year's Chatham Cup Competition all teams entered apart from Senior A teams had to play off to find a finalist to compete in Senior A. Victoria won this final and played Hospital.

Victoria was unfortunate in having E. Harris, the captain unavailable through injuries but they performed very creditably against one of Wellington's three top teams. Hospital had to work very hard for their three—one win. Victoria's superior fitness and speed have been deciding factors in its success but Hospital who were equally fit and with greater experience had a slight advantage.

The first half saw very even play with Victoria scoring first with a header by centre-forward Aldridge. Hospital then penetrated sufficiently to score two goals before half-time when the score was 2-1. Experience rather than fitness decided play slightly in Hospital's favour in the second half and led to a further goal. However, in characteristic style Victoria pressed strongly in the last few minutes but could not' score.

Richardson at centre-half, a former N.Z.U. Blue, and Robinson at left full-back played outstanding football, both causing Hospital to be bustled into error on occasions, and providing a sound defence. Page, the goalkeeper, turned in an excellent game and he is proving to be the best keeper Vic. has ever had. Reddy, the right-half and also club captain, played his best game to date using his weight to advantage.

On the whole Victoria can be satisfied with its performance which, taken with form shown this season would place the team well up in Senior A. Although eliminated from Chatham Cup the team is keener [unclear: thr] ever to maintain its unbeaten [unclear: championship] record. The improving combination which even now is very sound makes the achievement a strong possibility.

—A. Preston