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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1933

Football Club

page 73

Football Club

Reasonable success has attended the Football Club during the 1933 season, and with a number of promising players in the lower grades, the future of the Club seems secure.

Seven teams were entered in the Union's competitions. The most successful teams this season have been the Senior A and Third A.

Senior A.

Under the Union's new classification the First Fifteen was placed in the Second Division of the Senior A Grade. The team began well, but unfortunately three of its best men were required for the University Test matches with the Australian Universities, and injuries took further toll jusr when the team seemed certain to gain promotion to the First Division, the consequence was that two vital matches were not won, and in the ballot which followed to decide which team was to go up, University were not selected. Since then, however, the team has performed very well, with only one lapse against Poneke, and has won most games by wide margins. With the second round completed University and Poneke are level at the head of the Second Division Championship. Under the captaincy of Roy Deiderich, and with Mr. F. Glasgow as coach, the players have trained well, and thoroughly deserve their successes. Mention must be made of the services of Mr. Roy Brien who has acted as masseur to the team during the season, and both he and Mr. Glasgow can rest assured that their services have been appreciated.

The following have played for the team during the season. Backs: Cormack, McKenzie, Ruru, Feltham, Hislop, Dickinson, Kane, Thurston, Wild, Pacey, Macauley; Forwards; Ongley, Claris, Deck, Eade, Sutherland, Reid, Blacker, Dixon, Wells, Deiderich, Edwards; whilst Carey, Paul, Edgar, Russell and Bland-ford each played in one game.

To date, twelve games have been won, two lost and two drawn.

Senior B.

This team has had varying fortunes and although at one stage it looked like coming high in the grade, it has just not got there, one or two games being unluckily lost by small margins. Of the 15 games played, five have been won, nine lost and one drawn. Mr. F. Petre has been a keen coach throughout the

Junior

The Juniors have not had a successful season, but their players have been drawn on by other teams, and it is unfortunately true that a run of losses lessens the interest of the members of a team. Mr. H. N. Burns has kindly acted as coach, and J. Frost has been captain. The team's results to date are: won 6, lost 8, drawn 1.

Third A.

This team, composed as it has been of most of last year's Fourth Grade men, has been the Club's most successful lower grade side, and will certainly occupy a high place on the Championship Ladder. They wisely picked the games against the Colleges which do not count for the Championship for their early losses, and were able to settle down to a run of successes. This team has been very keen, and has trained assiduously, which accounts for their success. Mention should be made of Laurie Bansgrove their coach, and Alan Wilton, their captain who have been largely responsible for the good performances registered. Buddie and Burke forwards, with Wilton have been outstanding, whilst Smith and Fay have played well in the backs. To date the team has won 8 games, lost 4, and drawn 2.

Third B.

The Third B team has not had much luck, and has been unfortunate too, in that its players have been often drawn on by higher teams. This team was captained by K. J. McNaught and when the team was left without a coach, this player did much to keep his men together. The Club tecords its appreciation of his efforts.

Third C.

This team appears to have greatly enjoyed their football. The side has been made up of players who have played their games in a very carefree spirit, and incidentally have achieved a fair measure of success. Paul and O'Connor may be mentioned as outstanding forwards, whilst H. Grover the captain led the team well. The Fifteen's record is: won four, lost seven, drawn one. There have been a number of really good men in this grade, and next year it is hoped that they will get really fit, and make the higher teams. The Club appreciates the manner in which members of the College and particularly Weir House have turned out to assist this and other Club teams.

Fourth.

Comprising players under 19 years of age, this side has had a fairly successful season. The team has been captained by Dean, and enthusiastically coached by R. T. Wright. It has also had the benefit of coaching from Mr. S. S. Dean, to whom the thanks of the Club are extended. Thurston and Halstead have played well in the forwards and Adams and Wishatt have been very useful backs. Of the 14 games played to date 7 have been won, 6 lost, and 1 drawn. Australian Universities Team's Visit.

In the early part of the season, we had with us the Australian Universities Team. They arrived from Auckland on the 22nd of May and were billeted with members and friends of the Club. On behalf of the Club we wish to extend thanks for their assistance to all those who helped in this respect. In the evening we entertained the visitors at a Welcome Bail in the May-fair Cabaret. This Ball was voted a huge success, and the Club is grateful to those who helped to make it so. The game Victoria University College versus Australian Universities was played at Athletic Park on the 24th May, and won by the College by 21 points to 15.

Massey College and Te Aute College Trips.

On the 15th June a team composed mainly of Senior B players journeyed to Palmerston North, where the annual game with Massey Agricultural College was played on the Showgrounds, resulting in a win for our opponents by 6 points to 3. The game was most enjoyable and so was the Capping Bali to which the Victoria College team were invited in the evening.

A team of younger players went up to Waipukurau for the annual match with Te Aute College on the 19th August. The team was managed by E. Blacker and captained by A. H. Scotney, and the game was narrowly won by Victoria by 7 points to 5. As always the team was very hospitably treated in Hawke's Bay, and the game fast and enjoyable.

page 75

Christchurch Visit.

A weakened First Fifteen met Canterbury University College this year at Christchurch, and after a very rough crossing in the Maori,played on the same day they arrived and were badly beaten by 28 points to 4, the Victorians' sole score being a drop-kick by Blandford.

In view of the very successful Welcome Ball to the Australian Universities' Team, the Club's committee considered it unwise to hold the usual Club dance, but it is proposed to hold a smoke concert early in the third term to wind up the season.

The 1933 season has seen the completion of the Club's practise ground behind the College. The ground was levelled off by unemployed labour last winter and sown in grass. At the beginning of this season Club members turned out in force and erected a fence round the ground, cleared away the stones and removed the scrub growth which had appeared during the summer. Through the good offices of Messrs. Blacker, Russell and Curtis the Club was able to secure and have erected a powerful railway floodlight. On practice nights after physical jerks in the Gym. it is now possible to go up to the ground where full facilities for practice in passing, dribbling, etc., are available. There is no doubt that if full use is made of the practice ground the standard of play in the Club must improve.