Hockey

Before the season had begun, it was well-known that many of our best-known players would be retiring—settling down under the influence of "man's maturer age" and "other things," and the committee had some misapprehensions as to our membership. The present, state of the Club, however, has demonstrated how strong an attraction hockey has for students, for we are again in a position to run five teams; indeed, in a better position than last year. Many of the new members have shown that they possess considerable ability, but they need coaching.

In the First Eleven, the Selection Committee had five vacancies in the old team to fill, and, though some adjusting was necessary at first, the team is somewhat fixed now. Fitt, a promoted third-class player, Horsley, an ex-Wanganui man, Oram, who has returned to the fold, F. Kibblewhite, a promoted IIa. member already in the representative team, and Cockerill, in goal, are our new shoots grafted on to the old Stock, viz., C. Strack, G. Strack (captain), Salek, Rountree, Burbidge, and Gaze. Judging on form shown to date, the backs are about as strong as last year's, while the forwards are slightly weaker in combination, and in the vigour of their attack.

The record of matches stands now as 3 wins, 1 draw, no losses, the matches played being as follows:—

V.C. v. Y.M.C.A. Won 3 to 1. A fast game, at Day's Bay No. III., marred by the weak shooting of the forwards. The play of the team necessitated a good deal of re-arrangement for next month. A. Strack (2). Fitt (1), were the scorers.

V.C. v. Wellington. Drawn, 1—1. The team had an "off" day Poor shooting by the forwards, weak hitting and "speculating" by the backs resulted in a drawn game.

V.C. v. United. Won 3 to 1. In this match, the play of the team, altered again since last match, was quite different from that in the previous one, though still the forwards did not utilise all their opportunities. Fitt scored our first goal, and G. Strack our second, the same player putting the result beyond all doubt by making the score 3—1.

V.C. v. Wesley. Won 4 to nil. An enjoyable game, though played at Karori on a wet, slippery ground. The shooting of the forwards had improved, but was still uncertain. The defence of all the barks, as in the previous page 54 match, was good, Kibblewhite and Gaze being excellent. Fitt (2), both difficult angle shots, C. Strack (1), G. Strack (1), gained goals.

IIa., our "star" junior team, captained by Waldegrave, is a very strong one and should carry off the championship in their grade. At the time of writing they have had no losses, their record reading: 4 matches played, 4 won, 21 goals for, 4 against. The accounts of matches are:—

V.C. v. Gregg's. Won 8 to 2. The fast forward line was much in evidence against a rather weak team. Francis (3), Castle (2), Reed (1), Rutherfurd (1), Griffiths (1), scored.

V.C. v. Hutt. Won 7 to 1. We succeeded in scoring seven goals, secured by Rutherfurd (3), Griffiths (2), Reed (1), Horsley (1).

V.C. v. St. Mark's. Won 3 to 1. A good, open game against a stronger team than we had yet met. Griffiths, Francis and Rutherfurd each scored.

V.C. v. Karori. Won 3 to nil. The ground, Day's Bay, No. 5, was very slippery, but we had the advantage throughout the game.

IIIa. have suffered from the policy adopted by the Selection Committee of giving members the benefit of experience in a higher grade preferably to retaining them in a lower to win (possibly) a championship However, under the leadership of Winder, the "Thirds" are improving, so that they may quite possibly have a chance for page 55 the championship. The tally to date is: 2 wins, 2 losses, the matches played being:—

• V.C. v. Hutt. Won 8 to 1. Our team played well, and Hutt being short, we won easily. Millar (3), Mackersey (2), Eagar (2). Burr (1 scored.
• V.C. v. Wesley. Lost 8 to 6. This was a good, fast game, our backs being kept busy. The team played one short. Goals were obtained by Mackersey (3), Eagar (1), and Collins (1).
• V.C. v. Govt. Life Insurance. Lost 4 to 1. In the first half, the game was very even, the score at the end being 1 all, but in the second "Govt. Life," a strong team, showed their superiority.
• V.C. v. IIIb. Won 7 to 2. A "friendly" game creating much diversion. The total was rather small for the game.

IIIb., our fifth team, is composed wholly of new players. Up to the present, but two games have been played, the team being entered late for the competition. One of these games was against IIIa., the other being v. Greggs, lost by 6 to 1. In addition to these a friendly match, resulting in a win for us, was played, at the beginning, against Wellington.

From the above results it will be seen that the standard of our last year's hockey is being fully maintained, the position of the club in the various grades being very good. The Club heartily congratulates Messrs. C. Strack, G. Strack, Salek and Kibblewhite on their inclusion in the representative team to play in the shield match against Manawatu.