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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 20, No. 4. April 18, 1957

Guide to Punters . . . — Tournament Tips

page 6

Guide to Punters . . .

Tournament Tips

Although the standard in all sports promises to be high at this Easter Tournament we predict that Vic. teams will put a better than usual performance. Real strength lies in Rowing and Shooting while our representatives in Cricket and Womens' Basketball should, with any luck be right in the hunt when the gold medals are handed out. In the invididual sports of Swimming, Athletics and Boxing prospects are a little uncertain but there is no doubt that Vic. has some worthy representatives. Springbok like secrecy surrounds the Boxing team, but we are led to believe that something pretty good is in store for Dunedin. As a guide to punters we offer the following comments on the other teams:—

Rowing Cartoon

Rowing

This year's Eight is probably the strongest V.U.C. has boated for many years. If status and successes during the last season are any criteria, then our chances of a good showing are excellent. For a start, three of the Wellington Senior Four are included; they are Wally Louder, stroke. Mike Winter filling the number 5 seat, and Perry Preston-Thomas at number 4. The Wellington Senior Four were beaten by only half a length in the championship fours at the N.Z. Championships and with the class of competition found at Karapiro, that means we have, with Frank Crotty in No. 6. four of the top oarsmen in New Zealand. Frank is a Wanganui Union oarsman. During the last season all have gained regatta successes in fours, pairs, and eights. In addition we have another Wellington Senior oar in Des Slow, this year rowing at No. 7. in two of his four tournament appearances he has been with the Eight. John Kinder and Jim Haisman, both from Gisborne, are Junior oars with several successes thin season. John turned out with the Four for us last year but this is Jim's first Tournament. In the bow we have Duncan Cameron of Star Boating Club. Success has also come his way this year in local Maiden events.

The four this year is a mixture of old and new. The stroke is Steve Wilson, a Wellington Junior oar well steeped in experience. Last year owing to the illness of one, of the Eight, Steve took on the job of stroking it at the last minute, and then had to climb into the Four and stroke that. There could be no one better to get the Four into shape, and he has good material in Warwick Dent at 3, a Maiden oarsman from Star who, with Graham Harris at 2, provides plenty of weight. At bow we have a good Novice oar in Graham Eton and from improvement over the last fortnight the Four looks very promising.

This year's double sculls also gives room for optimism. Last year we were second and the year before, third. Wally Loader will be stroking and Mike Winter in the bow for his third successive tournament, and it is hoped that the trend will continue to give them a clear win.

Coaching has been in the hands of Wellington's T. Wilson, a senior oarsman and Provincial Representative. Any success at Tournament will be in no small measure due to his unflagging efforts.

Women's Rowing

In the women's events we have a crew that has been rowing together for Wellington all this season. At stroke is Anna Duncan who has filled that job ever since the girls started rowing. To say the least, she is good, both in blade work and through the water and we could wish for none better. She is the sole survivor of last year's No. 1 crew. Occupying the No. 3 seat is Diana Spurdle who started rowing at the beginning of this scason. She and Gaye Jackson at No. 2 are both rowing at Tournament for the first time and aro wellmatched in reach and power. In the bow we have Anne Rawnsiey who was stroke of the No. 2 crew last year. Anne is the smallest of the lot, but game and determined. The result is a competent and promising crew which could do well down in Dunedin.

Women's Basketball

Unlike previous years the women's basketball team has been selected and not drafted. This initial keenness has been reflected in the good Attendance at practice and the quiet an of confidence of the selected team. Experienced players are [unclear: Rosa, md] Taylor. Judy Davenport, and Elizabeth Crisp, who represented V.U.C. at tournament last year. Promising freshers Marion Cameron (a Poverty Day rep). Sally Aitken (Secondary School rep), Christine Ward, Janet Greg, and Sue Thomson are proving themselves able players. Completing the team are Annette Keltic, Judith Thompson, and Janice Fraser, who played for V.U.C. during the last season.

Tennis

For the last four years the team of Boon, O'Neil. Robinson, and Eichelbaum has represented V.U.C. with great success. This year's team is a completely new one to tournament, but will, we hope, continue the same winning streak. Number one man is Nick Greenwood, one of Wellington's top intermediates and a member of the V.U.C. team which won the Senior A championships this year. Roly Ferkins has had an outstanding season in inter club this year and has defeated some of the best players in Wellington. Bruce Small and Robert Greenwood should do well in the doubles, both being tall and powerful players.

Heading the women's team is Dawn France who has been in fine form recently for the senior A team. Pam Carson, finalist in the V.U.C. champs this year, Louise Grieg, and Anne McIlraith complete the team.

In the Swim

The V.U.C. Swimming Club has this season been at its strongest for tome years but unfortunately some of the best swimmers are unable to travel to Dunedin. The Polo team has had a very successful season in the Wellington first grade competition. Colin Trotter, a College Blue, has often been seen at Tournament. He is a keen surfer and a Teachers' Training College Swimming champion. Don Paviour-Smith (who has been coached by Lester Ronald) holds the Hawke's Bay Medley record and has represented the Bay at Polo and Swimming. Bob Eagle who has represented Manawatu at Polo; Lloyd Allen is Manawatu 100yds Champ, and has represented his province. Among the women is Jackie Twigg thrice Freestyle Champion and holder of four college Blues (two from Auckland and two from Vic.). In goal for the Polo team is Theo Verhoeven, many times a college Blue but as yet net an N.Z.U. Blue. They has been in goal for The Rest v. N.Z., was a member of the N.Z.U. team in Australia this summer, and kept goal for Wellington (the unbeaten champions) at this year's Inter-provincial Tournament. in the course of this he stopped two penalty shots. The team also has a number of relative unknows but the mixture promises to provide stiff opposition for the other Colleges.

War Cartoon

Athletics

For those who know about form, the following list of V.U.C.'s participants in Athletics at Easter Tournaments will mean that our chances are not bad:

Men: 100. 220, and 440yds—R. Irwin. J. Douglas; 880yds and 1ml—E. McGuire and R. K. Scott; Hurdles—B. Jordan and D. Finlayson; High Jump—D. Trow; Long Jump—D. Usher. D. Trow; Hop, Step, and Jump—S. Robinson; P.U.—B. Fernandas; Shot—C. A. Beyer; Discus—Beyer and F. F. Duncan: Javelin—Duncan; 4 × 110—Irwin, Douglas, Hooper, C. Campbell; 4 × 440—Irwin, Douglas, McGuire, Scott.

Women: 75 and 100yds—J. Kale, J. Couchman; 220yds—Couchman; Jump—Kale; Shot—C. E. Pointon; Javelin—B. Major; Discus—Kale, Pointon; 4 × 110—Kale, Couchman, Major, C. Schwartz.

Cricket—Hopeful

For the first time in several years Vic. convincingly defeated Massey in the pre-tournament game. All the batsmen are in form and the bowling, strengthened by Colin Campbell and Maurice McDonald from Massey, it varied and accurate.

Leading the team is Jim Thomson who captained N.Z.U. on their Christmas tour through Hawke's Bay this season. Thomson is bowling his left arm spinners with the accuracy that won his Plunket Shield selection in 1953-54 and is also showing glimpses of his undoubted ability as an aggressive right hand batsman. The opening pair Michael Lance and Peter Coutts have batted consistently for the seniors this season. Pete Carver scored a fine 45 in the last senior game of the season and with any luck should retain his place in the N.Z.U. team. Michael Pope has this season been fulfilling his early promise with some fine free-stroking innings. David Ward and Jim McDonald have been the backbone of the second grade side for the last few seasons and both have won their way into the tournament team by consistent all round performances. In fact McDonald's innings against Wellington was probably the most aggressive played for the senior team this season.

Jim Zohrab and Colin Campbell will certainly be the most hostile opening attack seen at tournament for some years and it will be unfortunate if their pace is nullified by the rain and slow wickets which are only to be expected at this late stage of the season. John Martin, right arm medium pace and Maurice McDonald a slow off-spinner are both experienced tournament players.

Dave Boyer fills the vital position behind the stumps and is keeping very confidently.

Although with rather a long tail this Vic. team should do well. However, the standard of cricket this year will be higher than usual and results could easily depend upon the weather. Vic. plays A.U.C. in the first round at Ben Bum Park, Karori, this Wednesday and Thursday.

Shooting

The V.U.C. team has that happy blend of youth and experience that scored such a marked success at Gore in 1953 when O.U. last held the Easter tournament. Experienced marksmen of note arc Ian Newton (N.Z.U. Blue, 1956), Brian Bradburn and John Ellmers (ex C.U.C.). They, however, met with stern opposition in the V.U.C./M.A.C. selection shoot from John Withers (who top-scored). Ian Chatwin, Jim Mansell, and Neil Montgomery The team has been practising hard and should do well.