.gif)
The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review October 1905
Hockey
Hockey
"Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by the blow;
Some kicked until they can feel whether
A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather."—Hudibras.
.jpg)
Another season-the fifth for Victoria College Hockey— has dawned and died. The summary of results given below shows that the high-water mark, so far, in the tide of College play has been reached this year. But this is merely a foretaste (if we may be allowed to mix the metaphor somewhat) of what is to come. We trust we are not exhibiting too exuberant a hopefulness when we venture to think that the close of next season will see more than one championship shield fall to College prowess.
As an earnest of this much-desired conclusion we point to the fact that no less than three of the North Island representatives were chosen from our ranks, to wit, those faithful and doughty souls, Beere, Ryburn, and Skelley. And further, that the A team came within a very close call of carrying off the third Championship Shield, while the Juniors had a very satisfactory run for the Junior Shield.
This state of affairs compares very creditably with past records, but we do not intend to rest content with "credit" passes. We are only at the beginning of our career as a College, and it behoves us to set a standard for future College teams which it will required their utmost endeavours to surpass.
We congratulate the IIIa team on the marked improvement shown this year. Their enthusiasm and good spirit are worthy of all praise. With a little more science and coolness, we look to hail tem as certain victors next year.
We have not had an opportunity of seeing the Juniors at work, but we think it probable that a leaven of the A enthusiasm, combined with a more careful study of the finer points of the game and the use of "tactics," will carry them within grasping distance next year of the coveted shield.
page 36
The B team has undergone the vicissitudes common to the estate of the youngest born, and the fact that through all they have seen the season out without calling into requisition the elevated sponge speaks volumes for the future of the individual players.
As a fore-word for next season we would urge on all players to take every opportunity of practice before the season begins. Machine-like precision is the standard to be aimed at, and that can only be attained by concerted practice. Individual excellence is a requisite, but combination is the acme of perfecto. To that end we say that practice should not be left until a week or two before the season starts. Until this fact is grasped never shall we arrive at that excellence which shall be the envy of all beholders, and the standard by which all our competitors will measure their performances.
Finally, we would urge on all good hockeyists the necessity for putting their whole hearts into their game. Let "vim" be their watchword, science their method, and enthusiasm the inner power that must inevitably end in the subjugation of that stern goddess Success !
The following are the results of the Championship matches, counting since last number:—
Team I., Senior.
Matches played, 10; won, 4; drawn, 3; lost, 3; goals for, 20; against, 24.
V.C. v. United. Lost 2—0. This was more evenly contested than the score shows, but the fine defensive play of Ashbolt and Weybourne prevented the College from scoring. Ryburn was very safe, and Skelly played a fine game. But the halves were too far from the forwards to feed them. This seems to be the faulty tactic in the team's plan of campaign.
V.C. v. Wellington. Lost 5—0. As we had drawn with Wellington in the first round a closer game was expected, but the Wellington forwards seemed too much for our backs. Our halves worked hard throughout, but were too far away from the forwards to be offensive. The College seldom looked like scoring . Smith, Skelly and Ryburn did the most work for College.
V.C. v. Vivian. Won 3—1. The Vivian team played short-handed, but their defence was good, and their right wing frequently troubled our full backs, but Ryburn was very safe. Gower, prouse and Beere scored for the College.
V.C. v. Waiwetu. Won by default.
page 37
V.C. v Karori. Drawn 2—2. This game was very fast, but the play was patchy. Karori had decidedly the better of the first quarter of an hour, but as the game progressed the College play improved. Two goals in this game were scored from corner hits; Gower hit one, Beere the other.
V.C. Junior Team.
First Round.
V. C. v. Vivian. Won 2—1. Matthews and Paterson played well. The forwards were well supported by the half-backs, Clouston, Bee and Grundy.
V. C. v. Wesley. Won 7—1. A match in which the forwards distinguished themselves.
V. C. v. United. Won 3—1. College team played excellently . Donovan (2), Paterson (1) scored. This was the only defeat sustained by the United teams, which subsequentiy own the championship.
V. C. v. Waiweu. Won by default.
V. C. v. Y.M.C.A. Drawn 2—2. Wilde and Mathews scored. Dwyer, as goal-keeper, was very reliable.
Second Round.
V. C. v. Wellington. Lost 2—1. Played in heavy rain. An evenly contested game.
V. C. v. United. Lost 1—0. A stubborn fight from start to finish. Wilde and Donovan almost equalized matters during the final stages of the game by a piece of good play which ended in the ball striking the goal-post.
V. C. v. Weslely. Won 3—1. Wilde (2) and Bee (1) were the scorers. Grundy figured prominently at half-back, while Dwyer and Eichelbaum showed sound defence.
V. C. v. Vivian. Won 3—2. Donovan, Wilde, and Willis scored for College. A change of tacties in the second spell enabled the forwards to equalize the score and ultimately to go one better than their opponents.
V. C. v. Thorndon. Lost 3—2. College played one man short. Goals were obtained by Bogle and Donovan. Bee and Niven put in very serviceable work.
V. C. v. Karori. Won 3—2. Donovan, Bee and McKenzie were the goal-shooters. The willing game played by Karori called forth sturdy play form the College team, more especially from Smith, Bee and Grundy.
V. C. v. Y.M.C.A. Lost 3—0. Our worst defeat. Ground slippery. College came within an ace off scoring on several occasions.
Record for Season—Won 8 matches, lost 6, drawn 1. Goals for, 32; goals against, 27.
Team III A.
Games played, 12; won, 9; drawn, 1; lost, 2. Goals, 46; against, 9. The tam was runner-up for the championship, and was the only one that defeated the champions, Karori.
V. C. v. Thorndon. Won 2—0. The game, played in Lower Hutt mud, was not particularly fast.
V. C. v. Wellington. Draw 1—1. Another mud-fight: Martin, in the full-back line, was in element.
V. C. v. Y.M.C.A. Won 3—1. College did not get properly to work until the second spell.
V. C. v. Wellington. Lost 1—3. The first reverse; the opponents' wing men caused trouble, and, with the exception of Smith, our men scarcely reached their usual form.
V. C. v. V.C. IIIb. Won by default.
V. C. v. United. Won 2—1. The muddy state of the "circle" made shooting very difficult. Stewart played a fine half game, and Mason, at goal, saved very well.
V. C. v. Karori. Lost 1—3. College played a good game, but our forward combination was upset by the "four-half" tactics of the enemy. The score against us was made in the last ten minutes.
V. C. v. Thorndon. Won 4—1. A forward game, won rather easily. Macmoran did good work on the right wing.
V. C. v. Y.M.C.A. Won 12—0. A very one-sided game, being largely a bombardment of the enemy's goal by our forwards.
Team III. b.
V. C. v. Karori. Lost, 9—1.
V. C. v. Thorndon. Lost, 8—0.
V. C. v. V.C. a. Lost by default.
V. C. v. Y.M.C.A. Lost, 3—0.
V. C. v. United. Lost by default.
V. C. v. Willington. Lost, 8—2.
.jpg)