Football

The first fifteen has put up comparatively poor performances so far this season. Fortunately, there has been no similar falling-off in form among the junior teams, but rather a decided improvement in all the second; third, and fourth fifteens.

There are excuses for the seniors, of course. It was rather hard to lose, all at once, George Aitken, Siddells, Trapski and Murray—four prominent backs—and Burns—on of the best forwards. And although a promising enough team took the field in the beginning of the season, five of these—Thomas, McRae, Martin-Smith, Riggs. and Malfroy—went to Sydney with the N.Z. University representative team, necessitating the temporary promotion of junior players. Although these juniors have proved themselves well up to senior form, particularly McWilliams, Adams and Wiren in the forwards, and Hart at full-back, it could not be expected that the team should maintain its previous form under these conditions. Mr. J. N. Millard has helped the team greatly by his unflagging interest and careful coaching. It has also been pleasant to observe regularly on the touch-line Prof. Boyd-Wilson and Prof. Murphy, our president and vice-president.

Jackson has succeeded George Aitken as club captain, and is playing strongly with all his usual dash. He has scored a good many points with his place-kicking this season. Riggs and Smart, five-eighths, and Marks, centre, are new men. Riggs has played very well, and will make a difference in the backs when he returns from Sydney. Marks is speedy and dashing, and on the whole is a strong player, although in some of his earlier games he showed a tendency to "cut in" too much, and on one occasion put his side in danger by attempting to intercept instead of taking his man.

Martin-Smith is a welcome addition to the forwards. He has returned to Victoria College after a year's sojourn in Napier.

For the half-back position, both Smart and Lloyd have been tried out, but Hart, who was brought up from the third fifteen, has played splendidly there, and it seems certain that he will retain his place.

The juniors have shown good form this season, thanks to the careful work of their coach, Mr. Williams. It is a pity that the first fifteen has had to draw so heavily on them, else they would have won many more of their games.

The third fifteen is registering wins steadily. They have a very nice set of backs, and they had a splendid chance of winning the seven-aside tournament had it been carried out. Perhaps they will have their opportunity later on; at any rate, we hope to see them high up on the championship list in the second round.

The fourths have proved themselves a sound team also, and with Mr. Stainton coaching them this term they should go on steadily.

And in the match Combined Sydney and N.Z. Universities' team v. New South Wales, the latter won by 33-19

The N.Z. team had a notable victory in the second test. At half-time the score was 18-3 in favour of Sydney University, but in the second spell the New Zealanders put on 23 points to Sydney's nil, so that the final; score stood at 26-18 in favour of N.Z. It was a great recovery, and proved the mettle of our representative team. Draik, Murray, and McDonald, the threequarter line, all Otago men, have been the chief scoring men in the teams; Draik evidently being a fine place-kick.

The selector for the N.Z. University team—Mr. J. N. Millard—had considerable difficulty in getting a team together this year to make the trip to Australia. Many players who would have been selected were unable to spare the necessary time. As a result of this, the N.Z. University Football Council recommended that the curtailment of future tours should be urged by the N.Z. representative at a conference to be held in Sydney during their visit.