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Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 20, No. 7. August 9, 1956
Canterbury Play Hosts To NZU Winter Tournament
Canterbury Play Hosts To NZU Winter Tournament
VUC sending strong teams to Christchurch
More than 100 VUC students will travel to Christchurch this week-end for the NZU Winter Tournament, to be held there August 13. to 16. in addition to eleven sports teams (plus) emergencies, extras, hangerson, supporters, mascots and odd bods) there will be dramatists, orators, debators, delegates to NZUWTC, NZUSA, NZUSPC and WUS. And for the sake of perversity, there are bound to be some going for—yes, the Drinking Horn (shshshshsh).
Tournament will be officially opened on Sunday, August 12, but things won't really get hotted up until the next day. It all culminates in the climactic Tournament Ball on Thursday night. What a week—and the Third Teat at Lancaster Park on the Saturday for those who suffer from Rugby mania.
Reports reaching us from the south indicate that CUC's organization for the "last week of fun before the real work starts" will ensure that a couple of further weeks will be spent by participants in recuperating afterwards.
There have, however, been some slight disappointments. Despite several appeals to the Army authorities for the use of the King Edward Barracks (all unsuccessful) the indoor basketball will be played in the gymnasium at Wigram, where spectator accommodation is very limited. Even the NZU v. Canterbury match, one of the best spectator events of the week, will be played there.
However, the Drama contest will be held at the Repertory Theatre; VUC will produce an abridged version of the very successful New York show "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams.
The debating and oratory contests will be held in the CUC hall. Badminton will be played in a motley of small halls spread over an area of the city sufficiently large to ensure plenty of training runs for the players.
Golf will be played at the Russley course, one of trie country's best. Cross-country running will be held over the usual course from the Stone House at Cashmere, while soccer and hockey will be held in various parts of Hagley Park. Fencing will be in the CUC Gymnasium, table tennis at the Selwyn Street Hall and smallbore rifle shooting at the Bangor Street range.
As for the numerous dances, parties and other social concomitants of Tournament—you'll find out where they are by the grapevine if they aren't in the programme.
Ah, yes, and we believe the daily press in our host city will be good enough to turn a blind eye to the most unofficial event associated with Tournament, the one we don't mention after what happened in Wellington at Easter.
Badminton
The performance of our team this year is very hard to predict. Only one of the men has hitherton played in tournament competition, and that is Jim Thomson, the team captain. His outstanding play is well known and it is hoped that he will be lucky enough to win a Blue this year.
The remaining men, Colin Johnson. Bill Paterson and Ian Wilson are all very keen and have been prominent in inter-club competition this season.
Of the women, Betty Nelson and Helen Wilkinson are both seasoned tournament players and on present form they should do extremely well. The remaining members, Crete! Buchler and Judith Kirker, are new to tournament, but as they are very keen and extremely promising players, we are predicting great success for them.
Basketball
Men's
This year's tournament team should be notable for balanced team work and good all-round play. No player "carries" the team: the success it will undoubtedly have at tournament will be contributed to by all players.
At centre Neville Dawkins, a stocky "pivot" player who shows promise of becoming one of Victoria's [unclear: outstanding] players. Playing in a position with which he is not familiar, he has already given a very good account of himself in club competition, and is one of the team's consistent scorers. Dawkins is supported by two very fast-breaking forwards in Gerald Aitken and Derek Johnston. Both these players have ironed out shooting faults, and they and Dawkins now form a very formidable forward line. Newcomer from the B team, King Fletcher, is a fast, aggressive player, and from his recent performances it seems that he will be in the upper bracket of for-wards at tournament.
At the back of these players are guards Peter Doogue, Ken Stevenson and Bunny Honiss, all of whom have performed creditably in interclub com-petition. Honiss and Doogue (captain) can fill the forward and centre positions efficiently, giving the versatility necessary of players in tournament play. The tallest man, Stevenson, is a good all-round guard whose natural ability more than overrides his lack of experience.
Defensively this team is first class and will be one of the hard ones to score against at tournament. Offen-sively under the direction of coach Jim Lewis a very strong combination is being built. This will certainly be a team that will take a lot of stopping.
Women's
The VUC team this year is a very well balanced one, having a solid core of most experienced a and seasoned players, along with one or two who are relatively new to the game but who are showing distinct promise.
We were runners-up to Otago last year from whom we are also expecting our stiffest opposition this year.
Team personalities ore:
Forwards: Ina Bowman a very experienced player who was explain of AUC last year and also in the NZU team. This year she has represented Wellington. Judy Davenport, a most promising player who was in the NZU team last year and is now in the Wellington representative training squad. Elisabeth Crisp is having her first season at indoor and has been promoted from the B Grade side for tournament She is a good outdoor player with a good pair of hands and should adapt herself well to the indoor courts.
Guards: Kath Bedingfield is one of the outstanding players in the side who repped for NZU last year and Wellington this year. A very confident and energetic person on the court. Penelope Riske is on the verge of the A team and was in the tournament team last year. Her play is neat and versatile. Julie Walpole is another first year player. Julie usually plays in the B team and is very tail with a good pair of hands. Hazel Blick (captain) has a very fine record and is in both the Wellington and NZU teams—she has been captain of the latter since 1958. Hasel is probably the best player in the side and a moat capable and popular leader.
Fencing
The team that won the Otago Fencing Shield last year will defend it again this August at Canterbury, the only change being the inclusion of Janet Serivins in our ladies' team. Experience has strengthened our team considerably, especially the men's foil and sabre teams.
Personalities this year are: Alan
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Wilson, the vice-captain, whose sense of fair play will not prevent him winning most of his bouts this year. Christopher Beeby's informality of the piste is in truth a disguise of his fencing which is fraught with, great cunning.
Kent Beard buckles his swash with a degree of efficiency equalled only by his roar on attack when really playing for "keeps."
Diana Fussell's experience and savoir enable her to simulate an angelic disposition on the floor—cava! Janet Semens has fenced for several years and with a schoolgirl's simplicity is quite a ruthless opponent.
Dawn France learnt her skill on the appendectomy' table and has a continental touch. Anthony Ellis has experience if nothing else.
There is a remote possibility that VUC may not win the fencing at the tournament.
Golf
The following golf team has been selected to represent Victoria at Winter Tournament.
G. W. Blathwayt (hdep. 7): A very steady match player, at present playing to his handicap. A long hitter. Gerald's length from the tees should prove invaluable. Represented Vic. 1964,
R.R. Boon (hdep. 4). Barry has represented Victoria for the last four vicars, reaching the semi-final of the N..Z.U Golf Championship on three occasions. A member of the Hutt Golf Club's Duncan Cup team, and a consistent performer. H. R. Carver (hdep. 2). Present NZU golf champion (winning his first title in 1964, Pete has been playing golf of a very high standard, having recently bad par or better on Para-paraumu, Lansdowne, Belmont and Miramar. A member of the Wellington Golf Club's Duncan Cup team and Wellington provincial team.
T. M. Gault (hdep. 6). A first-year student, Tom will be a decided asset. A member of the Paraparoumu Golf Club's Duncan Cup team, he has performed very well in recent tournaments.
In addition to the above, the following members will also travel south to the tournament as free lances: D. V. Barry, B. J. Bennett, B. Kitto, R. A. Smith and P. W. Stainton.
"As Otago, Canterbury and Auckland are sending women's teams to compete on an unofficial basis it is unfortunate that Victoria will not also be represented. However, 'It has been proposed that those members of the committee not listed above masquerade as ladies. . . .
Our team this year must number among the stronger ones to have represented Vic. and on paper should materially assist Victoria in escaping the all-to-frequent Wooden Spoon.
Harriers
Although not up to the standard of VUC teams in the past few years, the Victoria team this year contains a number of old hands whose experience will be valuable.
Tony Gow, six times in tournaments, and this year's VUC club champion, is running well. Two ex-CUC men will be with us this time—Derek Pringle, who returns to VUC after four years with CUC for his sixth tournament, and Dave Tucker, another experienced runner.
Bob Croker will represent VUC for the fifth time, and Rod Orange, though not as fit at present as in previous years, is still running strongly. Wilf Malcolm is the club's find of the year, and is possibly the fittest man in the team and one to be watched. Deer Deacon, who hopes to travel with the team as an "extra," is another new member who shows much promise.
Hockey
Men's
A younger team than last year, but one not lacking in talent The following thirteen play era have been selected to represent VUC:—
Robbie McArthur, was If Wellington Colt last year. This is his third tournament Mike O'Connor has represented N.Z. Secondary Schools (three years), Wanganui and Wellington at hockey. Keith Beresford was an emergency for NZU team last year. Ray Hambly is a very reliable full-back playing in his first tournament.
Wilf Haskell played tor CUO last year. This year he is the Wellington representative centre forward. Graham Latimer is playing very well this year. Barry Cathre, a law student, who usually plays at centre-half. Don Mathleson is the probable centre-forward. This will be his third tournament
Murray Humphries, last year's goalie, is now playing in the halves. Lionel Stewart is a first year student who is playing good hockey. Keith Dreyer plays equally well in either the full-Deck or half-back positions. Gavin Browne is a speedy left winger. Kirk Taylor is a very reliable goal-keeper.
Comprising five of last year's tournament team—Beresford, McArthur, Humphries, Cathro and Mathieson—this should be a sounder team than the one which was beaten by Otago in the final last year.
Women's
The 1956 team this year will consist of mainly ex-secondary school and junior grade representatives who will be playing in their first winter tournament Those who have gained first year honours are: Rae Goodwin, an ex OU Crepresentative, 1954-55. Joan Burnett, who was a Manawatu junior rep. in 1964. Mary Lyons, who was in the Varsity B team last year. Natalie Griffin, Betsy Andrews, Barbara Saunders and Sally Gentry have all represented Wellington secondary schools. These players are all newcomers who have shown great improvement and should be playing good hockey by tournament.
The more experienced players are: Captain, Cherry Pointon, the Vice-captain Ruth Kingsford. Judith Orwin the Club Contain, and Goalie Anne McIlraith, all of whom have played senior representative hockey. These players are the stronghold of the team and under their guidance the more inexperienced players should hold their own against strong opposition.
The two reserves this years are:—Jane Buckley and Margaret Matthewson, who will be new-comers, and the experience they will gain at the tournament should prove most valuable for following years.
Shooting
None of the team which represented VUC last year will be with us at Christchurch, but two experienced shots who were not available for selection for Dunedin will strengthen an otherwise young team.
Brian Bradburn is back with us after a year with AUC; an NZU Blue and veteran of four tournaments, he is shooting consistently high scores.
Jim Mansell, with the help of the club's new international, is producing fine scores, and won this year's Wellington B Grade championship. Graeme Barnard, formerly of CUC, is shooting in his first tournament, as are Ian Chatwin and Denis Middleton, all of whom show promise.
Skiing
Ski Heil! This will be the first tournament for some time at which Vic. will have complete teams in both the men's and women's events. Despite the unfamiliarity of Queenstown's powder snow both teams should do well.
Audrey Todd, our sole women's representative last year, will be defending her Giant Slalom title won against strong opposition. Audrey has been selected for the NZU team to visit Australia soon. Lottie Hess, who has done most of her skiing in Switzer-land, should be able to show the South Islanders a thing or two, and with Sally Rogers and Di Lescher to make up the four, we have a team as strong as anybody's.
In the men. Seven Vartik is another who did well last year with a third in the Slalom, and who has had continental experience. Steve Gentry has a pretty good record for Canterbury and these [unclear: a] will be supported by Mike Godfrey and Jim Larsen.
Last year the men were second to OU, and Audrey put up a good showing on her lonesome; with the core of the team remaining at Vic. for some time and with our own hut next year the future looks bright.
Soccer
Ram Vilash, right half or right back. Age 23. Has played consistently well throughout the season. Ram is a little short for a full-back, but is a most determined tackier. At half is a sound defender and constructive on attack. Heads well and has a good knowledge of tactics. First tournament.
John Tannahill, inside left or left half. Age 18. Not a great deal has been seen of John, but he seems a sturdy player who should not be upset by the grind of tournament First appearance.
Robin Bain, left wing or left half. Has shown to better effect on the wing than at half. Very fit and enthusiastic but requires more experience. Could profitably learn to head the ball. Playing in first tournament
Dick Holland, centre forward. Age 19. Tall player who can shoot well with either foot, has first-class ball control and heads well. Dick has not shown the improvement expected this year.
Trevor Lienert, inside right Age 21. Trevor is a useful forward who is fast and keen. If he can curb a tendency to crowd his fellow-forwards and to keep his shots low should do well at his first tournament.
Ron Pemberton, half back or inside forward. Ago 20. Ron has been unfortunate in suffering injuries this season and this has hampered his progress. A sound and constructive player, he has usually looked capable and if he is fully fit may be expected to do well. Could profitably try to develop crisper passing and harder shooting. First tournament
Jim Denton, half back or inside forward. Age 24. Probably better at half than in the forward line. Has shown better form this season than previously and should perform reasonably well. Represented VUC in 1963.
Chris Louis, inside forward. Age 24. A keen player who showed a sudden improvement this season when he seemed fitter and faster than in earlier games and also displayed a new asset that of heading the ball. Chris still needs to improve his passing and shooting, but is a hard worker and may be expected to toil honestly. Represented VUC in 1955.
Annand Gopalan, goalkeeper. This season has been a lean one for Ann and, who gives of his best when the cards are stacked against him. Second tournament
Brian Hudson, left back. Brian is a keen full-back who defends and tackles well and turns in a good game. First tournament
Stan George, half or back. Stan is a versatile player who has shown good form this season and should do well in the rigours of tournament. Third tournament.
Perumal Naidu, wing or inside. Porumal is a speedy and clever footballer who always uses his football brains to advantage. Deadly accurate with either foot Second tournament
Nick Greenwood, wing or inside. Nick is a well-built, lively player with a good shot and a quick brain. First tournament.
Table Tennis
Though not as strong all round as in the last two years, Victoria are optimistic about their chances of retaining the Table Tennis Shield. Only two of last year's team are available, but they are expected to win all or most of their matches.
They are Elisabeth Lesser, a steady half-volleyer who won the women's singles last year and is playing in her sixth successive winter tournament for Victoria; Alan Robinson, winner of the men's singles in 1954 and 1955, an NZU Blue in 1956, and who this season is second in Wellington representative team and playing the best he has ever played.
The new comes to the team are Marlon Morrison, a greatly improved player this season who possesses a strong forehand drive; Stan Catley, an attacking left-hander who wields a sponge covered bat to the great discomfort of most of his opponents; Robin Court, a steady defensive player who has had an able attack when he feels like using it and Geoff Thomas, a dour defensive player who never gives a point away.