The Spike: or, Victoria College Review October 1907

Football

"Too late to tell what you might have done :
The goal is kicked, and a stronger has won."

—Seaforth Mackenzie.

Our third season in Senior Football has not been marked by any great success in fact the win against Canterbury College was the only break in the dull round of defeat. However, those who are in a position to know consider the team to be an improvement on former combinations, and the general standard of Wellington football is undoubtedly higher this year than last. All things considered, the evergreen enthusiasts who anxiously await the day when the green colours will be mast-high have no cause for commiseration; there is no royal road to success, and an extensive acquaintance with defeat will enhance the joy of success when, as it surely will.

The gymnasium, which is now to be only a part of a thoroughly-equipped Student's Social Hall, should make a difference when available for regular practices, but there seems no prospect of its completion in time for next season.

Nothing further has been done in connection with the proposed N. Z. University team for Sydney next year, but if financial arrangements can be satisfactorily made, it is practically certain that the trip will be undertaken. As we should like to see Victoria College represented in such a combination, we trust that our prominent footballers will not lose sight of the fact that training is an essential qualification for selection.

Otago University has again won the championship in Dunedin. Their success is a pleasing indication of the possibilities of College teams, and we extend our hearty congratulations.

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Sydney University is also a leading team in its grade matches, some of their men representing the State in the team which recently defeated the "All-Blacks."

G. V. Bogle represented Wellignton in the match against Wairarapa, and was also selected for the "B" team against Horowhenua, but was unable to make the trip to Levin.

The Canterbury Match.

The annual match with Canterbury College was played in Christchurch on Monday, June 3rd. After the 29—0 licking by Athletic in the afternoon the faithful who farewelled the team on Saturday night were not over-sanguine, but their expectations remained unfulfilled, Wellington winning in the last few minutes.

A. D. Lynch set the ball rolling at 12 noon, and Canterbury attacked straightway. The greens worked back to neutral ground, where offside play gave Canterbury a change, which Sandel promptly improved with a fine kick. 3—0 in favour of the maroons. Even play followed until, from a scrum in midfield, Canterbury scored after an excellent passing rush, Ryder crossing near the corner flag. Sandel failed to convert. Canterbury 6—0. On the drop-out Canterbury came again, but Harley's pass was neatly intercepted by B. W. Millier, who ran to the full-back, where F. W. Goodbehere took the ball, and Ryder took him at the same moment. A. H. Bogle was handy, with a clear field, and lasted long enough to reach the posts, where his arrival was eagerly awaited by an excited barracker named de la Mare. Goodbehere missed the kick. 6—3 in favour of Canterbury, and so ended the spell.

On resuming play our men put in several passing runs without material results, and were eventually worked back to their own 25, where Harley scored again on the corner; no goal resulted. Canterbury 9—3. The green forwards rushed the ball well down after this reverse, and Goodbehere potted a beautiful goal from the side-line. Soon after Bishop essayed to mark, but was spoilt by Millier, leaving Goodbehere a clear run in. No one caught him. A. H. Bogle converted, leaving the score in our favour by 12—9. No side was called without further change.

The game was fast, and generally even, but the luck was certainly not against Victoria College.

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First Fifteen Matches.

V. C. v Poneke. Lost, 55—0 III advised action of newspaper prophet in predicting "an even game "evidently aroused the playing pride of our opponents. Wallace very weary at the finish, college ditto—from the start.

V. C. v Oriental. Lost, 35—10. Score 12—10 at half time. Capping celebrations compassed our downfall. Tries by G. V. Bogle (converted by himself) and E. J. Anderson (converted by Fathers).

V .C. v Wellington. Lost, 16—10. Good game—forwards playing finely against a heavy pack. A. H. Bogle scored from an excellent passing rush. G. V. Bogle crossed just on time after a smart dash, and converted both tries.

V. C. v Old Boys. Lost 6—3. In rain and heavy wind. Neither team up to form. Opponents scored from a penalty and a mark; for us O'Leary crossed after much patient waiting out of place.

V. C. v Melrose. Lost 19—0. Very wet. Melrose pack irresistible in the heavy going.

Since last issue of The Spike, the Juniors and Third teams have not quite fulfilled their early promise, but have given a good account of themselves nevertheless. As usual, many men have dropped out in the second term, and extensive drawing from the lower teams has neither need in the best interests of the juniors nor of themselves. Combination has been most mainly to inability to improve easy chances when they offered. The material is there, but it sadly needs knocking into shape. When the gymnasium is erected, then indeed—but let us not anticipate.

Junior Matches.

V.C. v Athletic. Lost, 11—0. Good hard game. Colquhoun and Amodeo conspicuous for good tackling.

V.C. v Poneke. Lost, 11—0. Repeatedly showed our ability to do everything but cross the chalk line.

V.C. v Southern. Drawn game—6 all. Justly proud of this match, played after capping festivities with 10 men until arrival of four B's at half time. First try of the season by G. W. Reid. J. M. Hogben also forgot himself. Amodeo very safe.

V.C. v Brooklyn. Lost, 3—0. Mud scramble on an unspeakable ground.

V.C. v Old Boys. Drawn, 3—3. Good game rather spoilt by subaqueous ground. Amodeo kicked a fine from an island.

V.C. v Kia Ora. Lost, 9—3. Heavy rain and unusual number of III. B recruits. Another good goal by Amodeo; evidently getting used to it.

V.C. v Oriental. Lost, 13—0. Tackling and kicking very bad. Chances in plenty, but no one improved them.

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III A Matches.

V.C.v Polhill. Won, 6—0. Try by Reid and a penalty goal by East. Clean enjoyable game. East very conspicuous at full back.

V.C. v Johnsonville. Lost, 13—6. Try by Skinner, penalty by Kemp. Gentle art of tripping not unknown to the suburban team. (Vide Lyon on "Men I have scragged.")

V.C. v Wellington. Lost, 5—3. Try by McDonald. Ground awful. Referee ditto, only more so.

V.C. v Poneke. Lost, 39—0. Poneke evidently regarded us much as their Seniors did our First XV.—as fair game. Two men short.

V.C. v Polhill. Lost, 14—0. Details unavailable. Official recorder absent or laid out.

V.C. v St. Patrick's College. Lost, 8—0. Still no recorder.

V.C. v Stars. Drawn game—6 all. Reid and Skinner scored, probably in their usual brilliant style. Recorder's injuries evidently serious.

III B Matches.

V.C. v Karori. Lost, 13—6. High hopes of a win vanished with nonappearance o four men. Try by Finlayson and a goal from a mark by McAlister.

V.C. v Oriental. Lost, 33—0. Brave stand for ten minutes; then score got out of hand. Ground good in parts.

V.C. v Poneke. Lost, 33—0. Whole Poneke Club evidently keen on College scalps. "Played short in a hailstorm "(assumption being that opponents were more used to it.—Ed.)

V.C. v Star's. Lost, 3—0. Looks better at first sight. Term holidays, men away. (Original report very graphic here.) "Played for three minutes, then went to Juniors, and filled them up."

V.C. v Polhill. Lost, 45—0. Fine open game. Enemy slightly superior in weitht.

(Original again.) "Team now dispersed, and was swallowed up by Juniors and III. A. "The Juniors appear to be somewhat voracious.

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