The Spike or Victoria College Review 1940

Football Club IST XV

Football Club IST XV

They had their moments, that band of supporters whose loyalty has never diminished, but whose patience has been strained each playing Saturday for the past ten years or more. They are difficult to please, their standard is so high, but there were occasions when the dash of the Senior forwards brought them some satisfaction. May we see them all again next season.

The forwards were undoubtedly a fine pack—one of the best in the competition. They excelled in all departments, showing particular skill in screwing the scrum, breaking clear, and heading en masse for the opposition line with the ball at toe. The stalwarts, Captain Burke, Eade, Meads, McNicol, Hansen (when available from Trentham Camp), and McVeagh (when required), all played as well or better than ever. Shannon, Corkhill and Stacey, in their second year showed further improvement and gave to the team a greater degree of dash in their play than shown previously. Stacey must go down as the greatest trier in the team: "Come on College!" even when in the stage of utter exhaustion.

Smith and Gandar, after each having a year in the Third A and Junior A, this year made the Senior Grade, and more than justified their inclusion. No one could wish for better material than was provided by the eleven forwards mentioned above.

Unfortunately, there was not the same standard in the backs. At five-eights we were strong, but often had to use two out of the four players we had for this position as centre and wing-threequarter. Patrick (Vice-Captain), and Larkin played consistently well both in attack and defence. Cooney, Third A last year and really a five-eight, generally had to play in the threequarter line. A natural footballer, possibly the most promising player in the team, Cooney should be well in the running for higher honours once he overcomes his present weakness in taking and giving a pass. Over keenness and lack of experience cannot be classed as bad faults. This goes for several young players in the team. Kissel, who has proved an outstanding team man, moved up to the three-quarter line after we had lost several players in this position, making room for Greig at fullback. Apart from his splendid fielding and lengthy line kicking, Greig contributed by way of penalty goals a large share of our points. He is a most promising player—another of those who has worked up through the Third A and Junior A Teams. Shaw was potentially one of the best scoring wings in the competition, but it was not until the very end of the season that he learned to tackle. Churchill and Papps, our two young half-backs, should benefit by their first year's experience in Senior Football. Sound footballers both, they should be valuable Club members for some years to come. We were unfortunate during the season to lose the services of such capable backs as Parker, Trickle-bank and Mahood.

Although the championship points do not altogether flatter us, it must be pointed out that in all the matches played, the difference in scores was very rarely greater than six points (v. Athletic, 14-10; v. Wellington, 3-3). Considering the fact that there were six promoted Juniors in this year's team and that there are many promising young players in the lower Grades, we can look forward to some good seasons ahead.

Congratulations to representatives:

North Island Universities—Burke (Capt.),

Meads, McNicol, Kissel, Patrick, Churchill.

New Zealand Universities—Burke (Capt.), Meads, McNicol.

Wellington—McNicol.

Junior A

The season has been a disappointing one so far as it may be gauged by championship results, but the team has had some enjoyable football and has performed creditably against the top teams in its section of the competition.

Calls from the Senior side, the requirements of military service, and injuries to players have affected the strength of the team to an unusual extent. No less than thirty-one players have turned out during the season, and in these circumstances it is no wonder that there has been a lack of cohesion and of constructive football.

The forwards have performed with merit and have been able to give a good account of themselves against any pack produced. They have paid reasonable attention to training and as a result have worked well together. Outstanding among them have been Roley Webb, who has given great service to the Club for many years, and Gordon Duncan, who is an improving forward from whom big things are expected. Creed and Fraser deserve mention for their keenness and perseverance.

Among the backs there has been a lack of determination and understanding of each others play, which can be attributed to inattention to training. No set of backs can function properly unless they consistently train together, and there is no opportunity to eradicate faults unless there is a full muster on training nights.

It is to be hoped that next year there will be an improvement in this direction as the players have enough latent ability to make the necessary effort on their part worth while. Barry O'Regan has given good service at centre and at full-back, Jim Annand has played soundly and courageously, and Gordon Smart, when available, has shown flashes of promising form.

Third A

This team has enjoyed a very successful season which can be largely attributed to the strict, conscientious and intelligent attention to training. The boys of this team have displayed the greatest of enthusiasm both in regard to their training and Saturday afternoon games.

In the early stages of the season the forwards were the strong force of the side, but the backs have shown considerable improvement as the season progressed, and they now can be considered one of the best combinations in the Grade. The forwards quickly settled down and the season was not very far advanced before it was evident that they would develop into the best pack in the competition. The general performance of the forwards was so good that it would be quite unfair to mention any particular players as being more outstanding than the others. It may be said that A. Rowell, G. Cumming, J. Kilpatrick, A. McLennan and L. Younie have potentialities well above the average, and, if they continue their efforts in this field of sport with the same enthusiasm as they have displayed during the past season, should be heard of in future years in the higher Grades of rugby.

It should be mentioned that J. Nash, centre hooker of this team, was conspicuously successful in obtaining possession of the ball from the scrum.

The line-out play of the whole team was excellent.

The outstanding players in the backs were G. Stuckey and B. Jacobsen, whilst others who rendered capable service were M. Te Punga and R. F. Cotterill, P. Hitchings and F. Currie.

It is worthy of mention that since the May vacation this team has not lost a game, although it was held to a draw on one occasion.

Third B

With two wins and a narrow loss to the leading team at the beginning of the season, prospects appeared bright.

Unfortunately, mainly through a shortage of backs and disregard of training by those available, the standard deteriorated, and latterly the team did not meet with success. This fact did not, however, detract from the pleasure of the game.

The team was a happy family, and each member looked forward to, and enjoyed, his game every Saturday. The forwards were consistently good and strong, and most of them can expect to play in better company next season. The backs were patchy, but consistent training would have improved several. It would be invidious to single out for special mention any particular player, but a word of thanks is due to Vic. Woodcock for his loyalty and energy as captain.