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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1933

Tournament, 1933

page 64

Tournament, 1933

When the hurleyburley's done
When the battle's lost and won.

Way back in 1902 there took place in Christchurch the first Inter-University College Tournament brought to fruition by the energy and enthusiasm of such men as H. P. Richmond, G. F. Dixon, and F. A. de la Mare of V.U.C., W. L. Scott, F. T. Kissell, A. Sims, and E. W. Rice of C.U.C., F. C. Long of A.U.C. and P. H. Buck of O.U.

And with its small but great beginning, this Tournament was destined to become the most important annual event in University life in New Zealand.

But to approach our immediate theme: by resolution of last year's Tournament Committee, the Easier Tournament this year was held in the Northern City at A.U.C.'s special request. In normal rotation it would have been Canterbury's turn, and the change of venue was agreed to in order to usher in A.U.C.'s jubilee celebrations.

To the relief of all concerned there was no repetition this year of the obstacles and misunderstandings which so nearly wrecked last year's tournament, and when Otago and Canterbury arrived in Wellington on the Thursday morning they were heralded by a magnificent blare of trumpets played by a goodly gathering of pyjamaclad whatnots with such a depth of feeling as only V.U.C can accomplish and others at the best merely attempt to emulate.

On board the train we were met at Frankton Junction by our old friend J. Nigel Wilson, who formed the advance party for the hosts. With the paternal grace of a Santa Claus he distributed the lucky packets one to each, and we were all soon engrossed on ascertaining "Who's (for) Who in Auckland," and regarding the draws in the various contests. Some also received circular warning of the activities of the Communist elements in Auckland and their feelings must have been anything but allayed when we stepped from the train right into the midst of thousands of gesticulating be-whiskered members of the terrible "Hog-pooh."

Brought before that terrible tribunal we realised per-haps something of the ordeal which the Vickers engineers must have experienced. Yet strange as it may seem, the punishments inflicted in relation to the seriousness of our individual offences, were surprisingly light—6 days C.B. with our delightful hostesses!!! Could we have wished Messrs. Thornton and Co. a more fitting sentence?

The official welcome took place as usual on the after-noon of Good Friday, and this pleasant function was followed by the annual ordeal of the Tournament photograph. On Saturday the Tournament began in earnest, commencing with the preliminary rounds of the tennis contest at Stanley Street courts, and the boxing at the Town Hall. The afternoon saw the tennis taken a further stage and the boat race over. The finals of the boxing were contested at the Town Hall in the evening.

On Sunday we turned out in force for a delightful motor drive, while the spiritual side of those so-minded and in need was also catered for.

On Monday the basketball and athletic sections of the tournament were completed, while the evening saw the swimming contest concluded. An innovation here was an unofficial polo match between A.U.C. and V.U.C. which resulted in a win for our men.

The Tournament was brought to a highly successful conclusion with the tennis finals on Tuesday, while the grand climax to our social activities was the Tournament Ball held that evening in the Peter Pan Cabaret

"And bright the lights shone on
Fair women and brave men!"

The trophies were presented in the comparatively early stages of the evening amidst hearty cheering, con gratulations, and hakas. Few indeed were they who did not let go, "filling the night with their hideous yells of revelry"—a consummation devoutly to be wished whenever and wherever University students foregather (the true significance of which, alas, cannot be understood by the vilifying ecclesiastic of 1932!)

Wednesday — black Wednesday — doomsday — Yes, you've guessed it already: the day we left for home. What a crowd was at the station to see us off! How we tried to thank our hosts and hostesses! More hideous yells—handshakes—here and there a surreptitious kiss or two. And so we said goodbye to Auckland. Till 1937 Akarana, au revoir.

Results and Comments

Boxing: The contest was remarkable for the wonderful performance of the Otago contingent in establishing a record by winning seven of the eight weights. Our heartiest congratulations to them on their fine achievement in a year of such high standards; to W. J. Brittenden (C.U.C.) who gave such a splendid exhibition against the redoubtable Dovi in the preliminary rounds; and to C. Steele (A.U.C.) on his winning the medal for the most scientific boxer in the contest. We had expected that our own men might account for a title or two this year, but in spite of their keenness and good training our five finalists all went down defeated but not disgraced. They will be strong contenders next Easter.

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Tournament Representatives, 1933

Tournament Representatives, 1933

Photo: Crown Studios.

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Photo: Crown Studios

Photo: Crown Studios

V.U.C. Women's Second Division Tennis Team Winners of the Competition in this Division M. Line (Captain), M. Briggs, T. Gill, C. Longmore.

V.U.C. Third Eleven, 1932-1933

V.U.C. Third Eleven, 1932-1933

Winners Junior B2 Championship R. W. Richards, B. C. Godfrey, W. F. Tuckwelt, C. C. Middlebrook, H. R. C. Wild, T. E. Kelly, I. L. Turnbull, R. W. Osborn (Capt.). B. A. Paetz (Club Cape), K. N. Struthers (Vice-Capt.), H. E. Moore, B. C. Campbell, H. W. Lysnar.

page 65

Tennis: V.U.C's team consisting of Messrs. J. J. and P. A. McCarthy, W. B. Gosnell, and G. W. Whitcombe, and Misses M. Line, C. Longmore, S. Phillips, and T. R. Gill formed probably as well-balanced a side as we have bad for several years. It was hoped that we might again break even with the redoubtable maroon and gold. However we had to rest content with second place for the Cup, and one title, namely the Ladies' Doubles, which went to last year's winners (Misses Line and Longmore) after playing off the final in Wellington against their own team-mates. Weather conditions were good throughout, and some very fine games were witnessed.

Rowing: The boat-race had its usual strong following of spectators, although interest was confined to three crews only, V.U.C. being non-participants by reason of the fact that we could not row an eligible crew. Owing to the roughness of the water, the race itself was most disappointing. Otago and Auckland swamped early, whilst Canterbury managed to keep afloat and complete the distance. In deference to C.U.C., however, it should perhaps be stated that in any event the result would have been a win for them.

Rowing is now beyond dispute a contest of Tournament. Furthermore, subject to the consent of the donor, the Rowing Shield is to be handed over by the Rowing Council to the Tournament Committee.

Athletics: Conditions were nearly perfect, Outstanding performances were those of F. H. Stephenson (V.U.C) who broke the 220 yards record against a light cross wind; H. T. Anderson (C.U.C) who clipped 4-5sec. off the previous record established by himself in 1932 for the 440 hurdles; A. P, Thompson (C.U.C.) who was only 4-5 sec. outside the three mile record established by the late Lieut, Athol Hudson in 1914; H. M. S. Dawson (C.U.C.) who broke the existing record for the Javelin Throw; the V.U.C. Relay Team which established a record of 3 mins. 44 3-5 sees., and the Canterbury Athleric Team as a whole which collected the very fine total of 23 points for the Shield.

Swimming: Record-breaking was indulged in with almost monotonous regularity, and new standards were set in no less than seven out of eight championship events. With V.U.C. a very poor fourth, the contest was exceedingly close among the other three Colleges and the final result was dependent on who should win the Dual Relay Race. With the pace a cracker, excitement was intense and in a very fine finish Otago University got home.

Basketball: Since its inclusion as a Tournament event in 1927, A.U.C. have an unbeaten record in this contest, and although V.U.C. very nearly upset them last year we were not setting any great store on our chances last Easter. Our girls rose to the occasion however, and succeeded in bringing to V.U.C. the only Shield we could win at the Tournament. In the final game A.U.C. versus V.U.C. scores were equal at the call of time. In accordance with Tournament Rules play was continued amid great excitement for a further five minutes, at the end of which period V.U.C. finished winners by 15 goals to 13,

Shooting: The match was fired off prior to Easter on the respective home ranges, and resulted in a win for A.U.C. with 3 points, O.U. with 2 points being second. R. L. Thorpe obtained highest score with an aggregate of 126.

New Zealand University Blues: The following representatives from V.U.C. were awarded N.Z. University Blues:—Misses M. H. Line and C Long-more (Tennis); Misses M, H. Line, P. Quinlan, I. Morice and V. Wilson (Basketball); and F. H. Stephen-son (Athletics).