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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 17 July 27, 1938
Sport
Sport
Lack of Practice
Surveying the results of the various teams taking part in the College's winter sports activities, one is impressed by the lack of success of the majority of them. Particularly is this noticeable in the lower grade teams. Playing the game purely for the sake of enjoyment is all very well, but surely more enjoyment can be obtained if the game is won and not lost. The game can only be won by teamwork and this entails regular attendance at club practices. If a few turn up their keenness to improve the team's play is nullified to a great extent by the non-appearance of the remaining members. You, yourself, know how it feels to fumble a pass or make a glaring mistake. This can only be corrected by consistent practice. See that You turn up to the next teams' practice.
—M.L.B
Basketball
Continuing in winning form, the Senior A team accounted for Tech. Old Girls on Saturday by 33 goals to 11. There is little to record except the usual brilliant forward work of our team and the excellent positional play which is of first importance in basketball. For ten minutes in the second spell V.U.C. touched a high spot of their form and scored 11 goals in succession, all from Tech, centre passes. Combination at this level will make the clash with the leading Wellington East team on August 6th a classic event.
A word for one only of the players. Joan Bythell deserves special mention for her defence work. The continuous Improvement in her game reached a new high level on Saturday. Some of her Interceptions were so speedy and her handling so sure that "Salient" must give her honours in this week's game.
Senior B.
Against St. Joseph's the B team went down 19-11, the whole of the disadvantage in scoring being accounted for in the first spell. Missing Joy Osborn in the forwards during the first half only, the team settled down to solid work later. As most of these girls will be available next year we should see something for their solid practice and game spirit in face of successive defeats.
N.Z. v. Wellington.
Victoria sports are reminded again of the feast of basketball which they can have for 6d. (1/- reserved) at the Town Hall next Saturday afternoon. Four games, including a tryout of the New Zealand touring team to Australia against the Wellington Reps. (three V.U.C. girls here), and an exhibition of the game under Aussie rules will make an interesting afternoon. The big game commences at 2.30. Reserve through Pixie Higgin, care the rack.
A Game for the Fit
First Class Table Tennis.
In reviewing the recent Table Tennis Tournament in the Gym., "Salient" described one game as a "gruelling tussle. If that expression is permissible in the language of table tennis." That was written innocently and in good faith, for at the time "Salient" had no conception of the high plane to which the polite old parlour game had been raised by the champions. Now, having since watched the Hungarians, Barna and Bellak, in action, we are wiser.
The aust are authority, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, defines ping pong by striking a small celluloid ball over a net fixed across a table with a racquet of hard material in the shape or a fan."
Barna and Bellak provide a sharp contrast in styles. Bellak's is almost ugly. Left-handed, he has a devastating forehand drive, but it is not a beautiful stroke. He is, of course, interesting to watch, but if not behind Barna in effectiveness, he has not the ease of stroke production of his compatriot nor the elegant style of the ex-world's champion. A more graceful stroke than Barna's backhand flick would be hard to find in any game of bat and ball.
Both men show that fast correct footwork is essential. A player with a sound lawn tennis style and a natural aptitude for that game should do well at table tennis, for the requirements of the two games are very similar. Fred Perry graduated from world's ping pong champion to world's lawn tennis champion. Wilde and Hughes. Perry's team-mates when he last visited New Zealand, were equally at home with the smaller racquet.
Real table tennis—the type that Barna and Bellak play—should become very popular in New Zealand. In Wellington, its popularity as a competitive sport is rapidly increasing. The 'Varsity Club, as yet in its infancy, has some promising members, from among whom it should be possible to choose a team capable of doing well in one of the higher grades next season.
Barna regards Boniface, of Wellington, as New Zealand's best exponent. Gosling is little inferior, and if these two players could be persuaded to play some exhibition matches one evening in the Gym. the 'Varsity Club would assuredly benefit.
Hockey
Senior A.
Saturday's game, if disappointing in result, was useful in revealing the many weaknesses in the Senior team. The defence certainly proved lamentably weak. In fact, it is doubtful if more than two of the halves and backs are really up to Senior standard. With one outstanding full-back the team might have a chance of keeping the goal score down to a reasonable figure; but time and time again the full-backs failed miserably in their pathetic endeavours to clear the ball. They should realise that one clean hit is all that is wanted of them. The wing halves were little better. Positionally, their play was bad. They were rarely where wanted, and they would help their team more if they concentrated more on feeding their forwards, or making their opponents, than an aimless wandering across the field. Speedier stickwork, a more-accurate placing, would help considerably.
A re-arrangement of the forward line made a world of difference to their play. As a whole, they did well, except inside the circle. Here they badly need a forward who can shoot—clean and hard. More finish and better centering from the wingers would double their goal tally.
Taken all through, the game revealed bad positional play, weak clearances, poor tackling and a lack of good clean hitting. Above all, a lack of determination throughout. You can do better. Victoria.
Notes by "Scoop"—Saturday, July 16th.
Weather conditions again caused a postponement for the lower grade teams, but of the three senior teams the only one entitled to any praise was the Senior B1, which, with two third grade players—Till at centre-half, and Lewin in goal—a fourth grade player—Hard at right-half— and a couple of the "Old Brigade", went down in a very hard-fought struggle, 2-1.
Although it is well known that Hard and Till are very good in their respective grades, yet it says still more for their ability that they could hold key positions in this team and acquit themselves well. At present the forwards are slow and lack combination, and far more use could be made of the short pass. The defence would be considerably strengthened if the inside forwards would drop back and cover when the team is hard pressed. Speculative hitting throws an unnecessary burden at times on the other players. All the team would benefit if they made more use of the push shot.
Most of the Senior B1 team have had a try-out in the first division, but it seems as if the best material in the club is already in that team. However, unless several give a more improved exhibition in the future they may find themselves dropped and their places taken by other players of more energy and who will combine better with the rest of the team.
It seems clear that frequent changes in the Senior A team, while increasing the spirit of competition, have not resulted in proper combination and smooth working. The selectors cannot be blamed for making these changes owing to the difficulty in obtaining wings of Senior A standard. Several players more suitable for inside positions were available, but it has taken practically half the season before the team has been properly moulded.
Senior B2.
Loeber, who formerly played for the Otago University Second Senior A team, has now replaced Walker and gave an improved performance. Good, as centre-half. Is very energetic, but he is still inclined to try and do too much—a common fault with centre-halves. He should keep in the centre of the field and make his wing-halves do their work properly. Owing to the transfer of Silcock the forward line has been weakened, but it is hoped that Renouf will be able to play for the rest of the season. Williams and Macalister gave a good exhibition on the wings and Ingram played an excellent game as centre-forward.
It is a matter of regret that Frank Walker, secretary of the club, will be unable to play for the remainder of the season owing to a knee injury. Team-mates will be pleased to know that Ralph Kean is progressing satisfactorily.
Everyone who witnessed the match at the Basin Reserve against the Prince of Manavadar's Indian team last month will be bound to roll up in force and see the Second Test at the Basin next Saturday. Opinions still differ as to whether the present team is stronger than the 1935 All-India side, but there seems little doubt that it has not the same weaknesses as the previous team, although it lacks such prolific scorers as Dhyan Chand and Ruph Singh. The Basin is more akin to the Indian's home fields than any other ground that they have so far played on in New Zealand, and no doubt the game will prove to be one of the epic hockey struggles in New Zealand. Of course, there can be no actual comparison between New Zealand grounds and the sun-baked fields of India.
Lost—40 Trampers
For the past three weeks appealing notices have been pinned carefully on the Sports Clubs' notice board, describing in meticulous detail the delights of the trips organised by the Tramping Club.
Explicit instructions are given as to meeting places, itinerary, gear necessary, etc., and yet the number of names placed in the optimistically large space provided is growing smaller in proportion to the number of weeks left in the term.
Why is this? Where are those who have done the winter crossing for the past eight years? Where are those who have haunted the Orongorongos and climbed at Kime? Where are the skiers and the trampers—where even are the hikers?
We are informed that it has always been thus during exam time—but exams, do not seem to us a valid argument against week-end or Sunday tramping. Fitness in body is essential to academic success: only by leading an outdoor life in the week-ends can one stand the strain of remaining indoors during the rest of the week.
The week after next we are holding a skiing trip to Mount Holdsworth. The Tararuas are now coated thickly with snow, and there is every indication that skiing conditions will be excellent.
In the words of the V.U.C. Tramping Club song (air, "Men of Harlech"):
What's the good of sitting moping,
Growling, grumbling, drinking, doping.
All the week-end vainly hoping
Something will turn up!
Do not stay reclining,
While the sun is shining—
Upon your back.
Your worries to the nether world consigning!
Though you're snowed on, rained on, blowed on,
You never give a damn if you're a load on,
Laugh at thunderbolts from Wodan—Tramp with V.U.C.!
Come on, you once active, now somnolescent trampers and tramperettes!
The whole forty of you!
Tramp with V.U.C.!
Harrier Club
On Saturday the club ran from 'Varsity. The trail laid by I. McLean and H. Gretton, led up through Northland to the top of Tinakori Hill. Proceeding down to Wadestown, it followed Wilton's Road back to Northland, and so home. The fast pack kept fairly well to the trail, and in spite of a certain amount of skylarking that occurred, covered the course in good time. The slow pack, however, got into difficulties in Wadestown, and ultimately arrived at Ngaio, returning by the Ngaio Gorge and the Hutt Road.
When all the stragglers had been collected the club proceeded to the home of Mr. and Mrs. McLean, where they were royally entertained. The hungry having been filled, D. R. Scrymgeour expressed the appreciation of the club, and an enjoyable day came to a close.
Rugby
As compared with the deplorable showing against Wellington the previous week, the Senior XV gave a much-improved exhibition against Onslow on Saturday. The light and fast Onslow team, however, put up a good showing and made the game quite interesting.
On the whole, the tackling had improved and in this connection Bryers was outstanding, invariably bringing his man down hard.
The forwards played with much more light, particularly in the tight, wheeling the scrum effectively and breaking away in sweeping dribbling rushes. Absence of regular hookers necessitated playing McNicol, Thomas and Hansen as the front row. This was a better balanced row than that of last week, and was quite successful in securing the major share of the ball in the scrums. McNicol was conspicuous for a good all-round game, and Russell. Thomas and Hansen were also prominent. Lewis played a good but loose game and followed up well, but did not use his weight to the best advantage in the tight work and the set scrums. Meads also was a hard toller.
Buddle was right on his game at half, and one of his blind-side dashes was particularly good. Wild and Bryers concentrated on passing quickly to the three-quarters, and did not attempt too much on their own. This was a good policy, as the three-quarters. Eastwood. Tricklebank and O'Regan, were all playing well and running strongly. Tricklebank did some good penetration at centre, and altogether played a fine game. Kissel was again very sound at full-back and did his defensive work well.
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Although there are clubs in Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru. Hamilton, and Auckland, the popular English indoor game of Squash Racquets is little known in New Zealand. Extremely fast, it is played with a black sponge-rubber ball about the size of a golf ball, and a racquet similar to that used in badminton, only much stronger. The enclosed court is about eleven yards long and seven wide. For years the world's outstanding player has been Amr Bey; an Egyptian, who is apparently as superior to other players as Devlin was to local exponents of badminton.
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