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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 10 June 8, 1938
Sport
Sport
Hockey Inquisition
Is the standard of men's hookey declining at Victoria? In 1929 the Hockey Club won the Senior A, Senior B, and Club Championships. That was the most successful season the club has ever had, and in no year since have good results been achieved. In 1930 we were runners-up for the Senior A Championship and two years ago victory came our way at the inter-College Tournament, but these were isolated triumphs. Feeling that there must be some good reason for the comparative lack of success of our teams during the last few years, "Salient" sought the opinion of the well-known umpire, Mr. R. H. Scott, who has been in close touch with Wellington hockey for the past 20 years, and his views are given below:.
—L.B.S.
| 1. |
—Lack of Understanding. "There does not appear to be the tween players; and this does not apply to the forwards only, hut to forwards and backs alike. |
| 2. |
—Careless Hitting. "The same care is not being taken to see that all hits are as accurate as possible and of requisite strength. All strokes should be a model of accuracy and of necessary strength, with all attention focussed on your own players and on your opponents. |
| 3. |
—The Push Stroke. "It should be more apparent that the advantages of the 'push' stroke over a 'hit' shot are many. Apart from the artistic point of view, it definitely gives added strength and accuracy to a shot and gives the least possible delay in its execution. |
| 4. |
—The Back Pass. "Players seem to have forgotten that a back pass is a very effective way of freeing a player and of changing the direction of a game, although the execution and effectiveness of a back pass depend upon perfect understanding and anticipation between the two players giving and receiving it. "The principle to be observed here is that, If there is no opening for forward play. It Is better to pass the ball back than to give it to an opponent, back such play can often be used to advantage in the circle, where so much over-keenness is now apparent. |
| 5. |
—Keep Your Position. "Most important of all to remember is that a good player is expected to play in his position. In the game of hockey no team work is possible unless this fact Is rigidly observed and non-observance can only lead to disorganised play." |
A word of advice that Mr. Scott would give to the budding hockey player is that he should watch the Indians in action. They will be here again shortly, and no hockey player should miss the opportunity of studying the methods of the quick little men who. Olympiad after Olympiad, prove that they are in a class of their own as exponents of hockey.—L.B.S.
Saturdays Matches.
Although trailing by 1—3 at one stage, the seniors staged a good second-hand recovery to win 5—3 against the second Huia team. Pitt scored two goals and Shaw and Braithwaite one each, the remaining one being a penalty goal, With two wins and two draws, the [unclear: teas] doing Well, but it has not yet met the strong Karori combinations or the first Huia team.
Huia defeated the Senior team in a game in which Allen showed much improved form in goal. He was kicking well on Saturday.
The other Senior B team could do little right against Karori -(2). Silcock scored within the opening two minutes, but we could not score again (Karori having meanwhile scored six times until near the end of the game, when sparkling rushes ended in Williams twice netting. F. H. Renouf played his first game of the season.
Although the Juniors were defeated by Huia CD, they have, especially in such older players as Goring-Johnston. Ashley-Jones. Fussell and Edgley, a nucleus around which a useful side can be built. The thirds lost to Petone by the odd goal in three, but the Fourths were trounced by Technical College.
•
The fresh academic distinction gained by C. S. Plank serves to remind us that for many years he was a valuable member of V.U.C. hockey, and tennis teams, gaining College blues in both sports and a N. Z. blue in hockey. He had marked coaching ability as well.
Tramping
Mt. Wainui
"Views of Egmont and National Park peaks" were promised by the Tramping Club's syllabus to those who climbed Mt. Wainui on a recent Sunday trip. All that could be seen from the summit, however, was mist and a broken-down trig, the visibility extending approximately five yards.
As usual, however, the unfavourable elements made little or no difference to the success of the trip. The party set out from Paekakariki at 10 o'clock, and reached the summit in time for lunch, climbing along a nicely-sloped bushed ridge, and following a well-blazed track. The descent was quickly made after lunch, and the mist having appreciably cleared, some fine views of the sea-coast and the heavily-bushed sources of the Whakatiki River were obtained.
The Tramping Club's Sunday trips deserve much more popularity than they are at present enjoying. There Is nothing "tough" about these trips —they are within reach of everyone who can climb the Boulcott Street steps. Next Sunday a trip is being run to the Belmont trig and Horo-kiwi, and, as this is one of the pleasantest day tramps round Wellington. It Is hoped that numerous trampers and tramperettes will come out.
Tramping Triangle.
Two men and a girl were the only members of the Tramping Club who awoke after the Capping Ball In time to go on the Sunday trip in the vicinity or Titahi Bay.
A pleasant day was spent walking round the coast and over the hills in the direction or Plpinui Point, enlivened by intellectual discussion and splendid seascapes.
The party decided to take a short cut down to Porirua through the bush. The "short cut" proved to be deceptive, and the Sunday trippers soon round themselves fighting through tangled undergrowth and lawyer, the descent taking over two hours.
On arriving back at Porirua, the trio was interested to hear the comment or a lady sitting in a car parked by the station, who said, soto voce: "Look, dad—they'll be from the bat house!"
On the train the party met Tony Chorlton and friend. Tony had been cutting the teeth out or a stranded whale, and smelt horribly. Assisted by this odorous element, the trampers sang lustily and lewdly all the way back to Wellington.
Women's Hockey
The A team on Saturday gave a poor display against Hutt United.
It is obvious that the team is playing in a grade too high. However, there were occasional bright patches —M. Johnstone and N. Anderson fought hard throughout. Our goalie. H. Christie, who is new to the A team, stopped quite well, but railed to clear.
Attack is our real weakness—the forwards stand off, even in their attacking. The forwards and halves cannot stop the ball and take it on. It will be necessary for the forwards to practice stick work before the Tournament in July.
Our one goal on Saturday was scored by S. Sanders.
Basketball
V.U.C. v. Wellington East
It was a good, hard game that V.U.C. and Wellington East played, the latter team winning by a slender
The score was close throughout but Wellington East were a bit loo strong. Edice Overtoun played particularly well in the goal, and all the players were well up to standard.
The score at half-time was 13—9 and the final score 27—23.
The Senior B team played well against Wellington College Old Girls, and were unfortunate In losing only by two goals, the score being 11—9.
Rugby
For some unaccountable reason the senior fifteen never reproduced their true form when they played the curtain-raiser at Athletic Park, and their display against St. Patrick's Old Boys was very disappointing.
The forwards, rather listless in the first spell, played up better after the interval. They went well in set scrums and line-outs, giving the backs plenty of the ball, but St. Pat,'s were superior in the loose play. Meads played a very good game, and Thomas and McNicol were also prominent. Eade again backed up well on defence.
The St. Pat.'s forwards broke quickly from the scrum and bustled the inside backs, who were also handicapped by the speed or the opposition backs id getting up to their men. Most or the passing rushes went to McElwaln's wing, but he invariably ran into a tackle and the attack broke down. It was unfortunate that more play did not go to Trlcklebank who ran strongly and when blocked, used a judicious centre kick to keep the attack going. It is hard to understand why none or the inside backs used a short stab kick behind the St. Pat,'s when it was seen that orthodon passing to the wings was not bringing results. This would, at least, have provided some variety in the attack.
Bryers cut through on several occasions, but instead or carrying on, passed to a man in a worse position and the opportunities were lost.
The chief problem seems to be to find a combination of half and first five-eighths that will give the attack a good speedy start.
•
Kicking.
How valuable to a Rugby team is a man with a good goal-kicking boot: Fuller was a case in point. His remarkable accuracy often resulted in his team winning matches when it had been outplayed in all other departments. The art of kicking is not studied as it should be. There are very few footballers in New Zealand who can drop-kick or place-kick a goal from half-way in the absence of wind—the great majority, in fact, could not send a place or drop 50 yards with any degree of accuracy. Last winter an interesting kicking competition took place between Stanford University (American game) and Carlton Club, Melbourne (Australian Rules) footballers. The Americans kicked well but were outclassed by the Australians, all or whom despatched drop-kicks well over 60 yards, the longest drop-kick being 70 yards. The longest kick ever recorded was a place-kick by D. McNamara, an Australian, whose prodigious effort resulted in the ball landing 93 yards away.
—L.B.S.
•
By Special Steamer.
Apropos to the reference, in last week's "Salient." to the proposed visit to New Zealand next year by Australian Rules football teams, we now learn that two exhibition matches are likely to be played, one on the Basin Reserve and one in Auckland. The two Melbourne Clubs coming. St. Kilda and South Melbourne, will charter a special steamer to bring the large party of players, trainers officials and supporters to the Dominion. The object of the trip Is to give players a holiday. Australians realise that the establishment of their game in New Zealand is a virtual impossibility as grounds here are too small —an Australian Rules ground is twice the size or a Rugby field. The same itself was first played about 1850, and is therefore about the same age as Rugby and Soccer.
—L.B.S.
• • •
Hendry for Wellington.
It Is very likely that H. L. Hendry. Australian Test cricketer or a few years ago, will be living in Wellington next summer. Hendry, who is 43, is with the Vacuum Oil Co., and is still a fine all-round cricketer: graceful bastman, fast-medium howler and excellent slip field. Institute had J. R. Sheffield as player-coach last season and will have C. Loxton. Queensland Sheffield Shield player, helping them next season. "Salient" suggests to Cricket Club officials that overtures be made to Hendry with a view to securing his services as player-coach. Hendry was a member of Warwick Armstrong's famous 1921 team in England.
—L.B.S.
• • •
Footballer-[unclear: Registrar].
For many years a [unclear: hardilfller] in the van for Victoria College fifteens, L. O. Desborough. A.U.C.'s new Registrar, is this season playing for University in the Auckland senior competition. Soccer was not known to be one or his interests in Wellington, but he is, nevertheless. President or the recently-formed Auckland University College Association Football Club. The Women's Hockey Club, too, has him as a Vice-President.
"Washing Up"
Executive Meeting
As Is usual towards the end or a Parliamentary session, a financial year, or '(as In the case or V.U.C.) the end or the Executive's term of office, final meetings are in the nature or a financial washing-up.
At Monday night's Executive meeting "Salient" heard the Finance Committee's recommendations on annual grants to College Clubs, being put through the wringer. Dull It certainly was, and "Salient" dozed through most or the evening's business to the accompanient or the frenzied rattle of the Women's Hockey Club at practice upstairs.
We learned however:
That the Table Tennis Club is granted affiliation and will go into action with two new tables and new equipment.
That the Capping Ball was a financial success (and a social success, we believe).
That the Tramping Club will have to buy its own billies, and that it will have to be more careful with ice-axes and skis in future.
That the Free Discussions Club will soon be no more if it does not show signs or life within the next two weeks.
That, Judging by Its application for grants for "entertainments to visiting tennis." the Football Club is in the nature of a social club—or something.
That Dick Simpson is running the Bob Hop on King's Birthday night (Monday. June 6th): The Gymnasium is now licensed to hold 100. couples, we understand.
That the annual general meeting will be held on the 28th June, for the purpose or electing a new Executive Committee.
Time Marches On!
—I.E.A.
Spanish Struggle
Elsewhere In this issue of "Salient" appears an article based on an interview with a member of the Spanish International Brigade.
"Salient" has tried its hardest to present to its readers the views or the side opposed to the duly elected, constitutional Spanish Government, but Franco's qualified apologists have shyly refused to present us with their apologia.
Hearing that a gentleman who had served in Franco's tank corps was in Wellington. "Salient" wrote him a letter (to which he referred in a lecture as "a very nice letter") enclosing a copy or "Salient" and asking him if he would care to give us his views on the Spanish war, either in an article or in an interview. Some time later he replied, stating baldly that he was unable to comply with any of our requests. He returned the copy of "Salient." having annotated a line in a poem and a sentence in the leading article, and corrected two spelling mistakes. Subsequently this gentleman has been interviewed by and contributed an article to a well-known weekly paper.
"Salient" is willing at all times to publish conservative views on any problem, local or international, but If this moribund element passively acquiesces, it must expect an unfavourable construction to be placed upon its silence.
•
Loyalty
A new definition of loyalty from Hollywood, word for word, and untouched by human hand:—
"An example of Marlene Dietrich's groat loyalty is shown by the fact that she always manicures her own nails when visiting abroad, because she reruses to patronise any manicurist apart from her favourite one in Hollywood."