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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 15. August 7, 1952

Soccer Team Champs! — Two to Play but Vic Assured Promotion

Soccer Team Champs!

Two to Play but Vic Assured Promotion

By defeating Swifts 2-1 in a closely-contested match Varsity won the First B Division championship and are assured of promotion to First Division. The unbeaten victors, with two games to play, have a lead of five points over Swifts, who have one match to play. The other teams in the grade are well behind. The championship table reads:

Goals
P. W. D. L. F. Ag.
12 11 1 0 51 10

In perfect conditions the Senior XI met their old rivals. Swifts, who were out to become the first team to topple Varsity. As a result the green and golds had their hardest game to date. V.U.C. just managed to win a fast and lively encounter but they were not at their best on the small and firm field.

Although both wings Spiers and Gray played energetically, the latter waa decidedly unlucky on aeveral occasions not to score. Big centre Aldrige worked very hard and made a brilliant opening for Spiers to crash the ball into the net. Preston was sound in the first spell, moving up swiftly with the attack, but tended to lag behind in the second stanza—for a player of his class Preston seems to lack real speed.

The previous week, in similar conditions Varsity had found Petone Tech. Old Boys difficult to score against. Nevertheless. Walls collected two goals with glorious left-foot drives and half-back Reddy secured his annual goal with another left-foot shot.

Glancing at tho current season this observer comes to the following conclusions:
(1)The senior team plays far better on a full-sized and wet pitch.
(2)There has been a decided Improvement in the forward line with 51 goals in 12 games to its credit But more tlgerishness and persistence are needed in front of goal.
(3)Despite the fact that only 10 goals have been scored against it, the defence is vulnerable at aeveral points. Perhaps the lack of strong opposition has developed a sense of complacency.
(4)The success of the team is in no small measure doe to the untiring efforts of the coach, Mr. R. Cocks. His presence at the practices has ensured a full attendance almost every week and he has made the players pay greater attention to their training. Mr. Cocks who is an ex-Wellington representative, makes some observations about the senior team:

"Despite the success of the senior side there are some aspects of the play of individuals that could be improved. Richardson, right back, is a most consistent player but he would do well on occasions to use ground passes to his wing or inside forward instead of always lofting the ball into the centre. Watson, the right wing, sends over some great centres but seems to lack determination when it comes to goal scoring; he is an excellent shot and should have more goals to his credit. He does not receive enough close support from Preston, his inside man. Preston is a great worker but if he made the ball do more of the work he would And that he would have more dash available when he comes to the attack.

Too often this season good constructive movements have fallen down for tho want of more pressure in front of goal. ...The centre-forward cannot prats home these movements without support. When the forwards Irani to shoot Low, Quickly, Hard and Often Varsity will be a really formidable side."

—By "Corner-Kick."