Soccer . . .

Varsity Check the Settlers

At the Basin Reserve last Saturday Varsity drew with Petone—one of Wellington's top championship teams. The final score was 3-all. Weather conditions for the game were distinctly bad, with the ground very heavy, pools of mud in places and a cold, southerly blowing.

However, the team showed clearly that they could play Just as well in the mud as on firm fields, and they give every Indication of repeating, perhaps next year, the success which the Rugby fifteen has had this year.

In their game with Petone, Varsity began playing with the wind against them, but they nevertheless attacked strongly with Preston, the inside right, scoring in the first eighteen minutes of play with a good foot shot. As always, Varsity's defence was sound, and full-back Richardson and Aldrich shared honours with Page, the goalie. In holding off Petone's strong attacking side so well. Petone equalised soon, however, with a shot which Page appeared unable to see, because their were several men between him and the ball.

The game was characterised by good passing from the Varsity's forwards, and neat movements by Preston, Hodge, the centre-forward, and Gray, the speedy left winger brought the team, close to success several times. Gray, especially, was always elusive, though he had fairly big men marking him.

The last part of the game saw Petone ahead by three goals to two with Varsity fighting for a draw. From a good-centre by Reddy, the right half, Philips look a snap kick at the ball and sent it into the left hand side of Petone's goal mouth, much to the surprise of O'Brien, Petone's goalie, and everybody else. In the last few minutes of the game Petone fought back hard for that extra championship point, but Varsity's iron defence obstructed all their efforts. The game ending: University 3: Petone 3.