Scrimgeour First

Basketball

Mt. Holdsworth

Skiing Trip

The Tramping Club's trip to Mt. Holdsworth last term was scheduled as a skiing trip, but only two very determined and slightly unbalanced trampers braved the appalling winter conditions and attempted the gentle art. A few trampers ventured above the bush line to the skiing field, but did not stay long ; while the majority ambled up to the bush line, poked their heads out, and immediately slid off back down the hill to the Mountain House. The snow was very deep and soft, and a high wind was blowing, making it almost impossible at times to stand up.

On the Saturday, the party of sixteen left Wellington about 9 o'clock (one hour late), and began the ascent to the Holdsworth Mountain House at mid-day. The snow was very low down, and the weather perfect, so that good time was made. A few stalwarts ventured to break trail from the Mountain House to the skiing field after a meal, but the sun was setting, and the atmosphere was very cold, so that they were unable to proceed very far above the bush-line. The evening was spent in eating and singing, the former preponderating. The hut was over-run with members of the Pawa Tramping Club, but, in spite of this, everyone slept with tolerable comfort on the muddy floor. Especially appreciated were the endeavours of the leader and Mr. Gurth Higgin to entertain the party with "There's an 'ole in my bucket," and the strange tale of the three old ladies who were incarcerated in the monastery.

Spasmodically arising, the party set off the next morning for the skiing field, but owing to the strong and bitter wind, as described above, not many reached it. Still, a pleasant though puerile hour was spent in snowballing and sliding, and a snowman representing a well-known University Lothario was greatly admired, until it was demolished by an incautious tramper who collided with it in turning the corner.

Despite the fact that the lorry on the return voyage was encumbered with Pawas, whose conveyance had apparently broken down, the trip back to Wellington was very pleasant, with a stop at Featherston for the hungry—and thirsty. The last interesting episode on a very enjoyable trip was a further rendering of "There's an 'ole in my bucket" by the leader and Mr. Higgin, who managed to finish their song against tremendous odds.

Rugby

Finishing the season with two convincing wins over Pirates and Oriental, the Seniors won the Senior A 2nd Division championship by a margin of five points. Of the other teams, the Senior B and Third A finished in good positions on the championship lists. The Third A team had the satisfaction of twice beating Athletic, the ultimate winners of the grade.

Kissel, Wild, Bryers, Burke, McNicol and Hansen secured places in the North Island team for the inter-island Universities match.

North v. South

The inter-island Universities game was played at Palmerston North on August 27, and provided a very bright exhibition. For the third time, South were victorious, the score being 21-17.

The packs were well matched and all the forwards went well. South were superior in the tight work, the North forwards playing a looser type of game. The hooking honours were evenly divided between Wall (O.U.) and Burke (V.U.C.), although a bit more hard pushing by the North forwards might have given them an advantage in the set scrums. Drake and Foreman, both of Auckland, were the best of the North forwards, while the Otago trio—Vosailagl, Trott and Mack—were prominent for South.

The backs turned on fast and entertaining football. The standard of wing-three-quarter play was very high. Although closely watched by the opposition, Eastwood (V.U.C.) was the star and scored two brilliant tries. Watt (O.U.) also showed plenty of speed in scoring his two tries. Hadfield (C.U.C.) had a heavy day marking Eastwood, but gave quite a good display. Hayman (A.U.C.) received few opportunities but ran with determination. His handling, however, was not too certain. Hunter (C.U.C.) was subdued and did not show any particular brilliance. The absence of Martin (A.U.C.) was a severe blow to North, as Guild (Massey) who replaced him, was too slow and failed to run his wings into position before giving them the ball. When Martin withdrew from the team, the logical choice for the centre position was Tricklebank (V.U.C.), whose speed and penetration would have given the wings the opportunities they needed. Wild (V.U.C.) and Overton (C.U.C.) were the pick of the five-eighths. Howden (O.U.) played a sounder all-round game at half-back than Edwards (A.U.C.), who was inclined to fumble at times. Kissel (V.U.C.) was right on his game at full-back and did not make a mistake all day. Egan (O.U.) also played a very sound game. In fact, there was little to choose between the full-backs, and both kicked excellently.

The following were picked as the N.Z.U. team for 1938:—Kissel (V.U.C.). Eastwood (V.U.C.), Hunter (C.U.C.), Watt (O.U.), Overton (C.U.C.), Wild (V.U.C.), Howden (O.U.). Gomer (C.U.C.), Burke (V.U.C.), McNicol (V.U.C.), Drake (A.U.C.), Lange (A.U.C.), Trott (O.U.), Vosaigali (O.U.), Mack (O.U.).

N.Z.U. v. Waikato

On Tuesday, August 30, the N.Z.U team met Waikato representatives at Hamilton, Waikato winning by 13 points to 6.

The 'Varsity side was not of full strength in the backs as the players had taken part in a strenuous game on a particularly hard ground at Palmerston North three days previously. Nevertheless their display was a very disappointing one. Full credit for the 'Varsity defeat must be given to the Waikato forwards, who, by reason of their height and weight, dominated the line-outs and set scrums; but in the loose, where the 'Varsity forwards might have been expected to make the most of their opportunities, they were sluggish. Had the backs received as much ball as the Waikato backs, the game would undoubtedly have been much more closely contested.

The game, which was one of the cleanest seen in Hamilton for some time, was rather marred by numerous stoppages for injuries, as a result of which New Zealand Universities lost the services of Egan, Lange and Foreman.

Inter-College Hockey

The game played between Massey College and a representative Victoria College team at Massey College last Wednesday resulted in a win for the home side by three goals to two. On a somewhat rain-sodden ground, fast play provided an exhibition of exciting hockey. The Massey team excelled in the forward line and demonstrated [unclear: rat] the best defence la attack. Lawrey [unclear: at] centre-forward gave a splendid display of brilliant anticipation and speed. The men on his left, Shand and Sill, formed the spearhead of the attack, while the Massey combination was superior to that of Victoria.

dribbled the ball into fatal proximity

The game was a relatively even contest, both sides showing good form and fitness. A varied long and short passing game kept the tension among players and onlookers high. The Massey team held the advantage in the first half, but were frustrated from scoring by the defence of Banks and Walker at full-back and by the outstanding goal-keeping of Olive, who defended skilfully and courageously. Victoria's forwards in the first half failed to control the ball and to show sufficient combination to elude the Massey halves, Blake, Kelly and Grevatt. Half-time found the score nil all, and after the ball had been recovered from the stream nearby, play resumed. Rain held off throughout the game and the sun belatedly began to shine on the now well-churned terrain.

Victoria attacked at once and a rush led by Shaw, Whitham and Christie just failed to score. Massey attacked and Begg smashed a shot which Olive caught a la soccer and coolly cleared. Massey, however, were not to be denied and a wing attack by Begg and Watters opened the way for Lawrey to score with no one but the goal-keeper to beat.

Swift exchanges followed and after spirited work by 'Varsity forwards, ably supported by the halves, Mackintosh, Good and Long, D. Williams scored. Victoria pressed again, but the Massey forwards broke away and Shand made the score 2—1. Victoria forwards were now playing well but found the heavy ground and the speed of the opposition trying difficulties. But perseverance told and a movement by Shaw and Christie culminated in T. Williams goaling from the right with a nice shot. The game, with time almost at hand, was tense; the teams, now better matched in attack and defence, struggled for the supremacy of a goal.

From a twenty-five bully, the elusive Lawrey streaked through and of the goal-mouth, making Massey the winners by 3—2.

Shaw at centre-forward, and Long and Good, who had alternate spells at centre-half, played well, but were outclassed by Lawrey. For Victoria Banks at full-back and Olive in goal were outstanding; while for Massey, Lawrey, centre-forward, Sill, the fast left-winger, and Kelly and Blake—the centre and right halves, were thorns in the side of the visitors.

In the evening a dinner was held to mark the occasion. While regretting that the Victoria team had not been able to come up during the previous week-end, Massey College players suggested that more Massey-Victoria games should be played, say, two a season.

Summing up, the refereeing of the game was good, the Massey hospitality greatly appreciated, and the game itself was played in a spirit of real sportsmanship.

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Although Frank Newcombe captained the Wellington representatives and the Club gained an Auckland representative in S. Braithwaite, the Senior hockey team had an indifferent season. Only Wesley and Huia II finished below it on the competition ladder.

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