Rugby Defeats

The seniors sustained their fourth defeat of the season on Saturday, losing to Johnsonville 0—21. With one win, a draw, and four losses, they have three competition points to their credit. It was almost a scratch team that took the field against Johnsonville, for no fewer than eight of the regular players were absent, most of them in Christchurch taking part in the inter-Island Varsity game. For this reason too much importance need not be attached to the defeat.

But poorly as they have done so far, there are still three teams below them. When the season began some hopes were entertained that University might do well in the championship. Those hopes have now vanished, but there is no reason why they should be supplanted by fears of relegation to the Second Division. There is talent in the team, and if one or two weaknesses, to which particular attention is drawn in the commentary appearing below, can be eliminated, better things should be in store.

—L.B.S.

Rugby

Form Reviewed

After a good opening against Eastbourne and hard and close game against Marist, who have remained undefeated to date, the University side slumped against Poneke, giving on that occasion one of their worst exhibitions for years. This game was a shocking display of football and it was therefore pleasing to see an improvement shown in the subsequent games against Massey College. Wellington and Athletic. On the games played it call be said without fear or contradiction that the Varsity fifteen possesses one of the best packs or forwards that the Club has bad for several years. They are virile and dashing in the loose and, unlike most Varsity packs, they tackle well.

Burkes Hooking.

Burke the hooker has been showing good form and played his best game against Athletic. His hooking, is up to his own high standard. Meads and McNicol have been very solid and most consistent. Their selection for the North Island Varsity side is well deserved. Hansen is another who has maintained a high standard and McVeagh has confirmed opinions formed of him in the opening match. He is heady and solid, the type that would do well in a representative side. Eade seems to have struck form now and his game against Wellington was splendid. The two Shannons have been showing dash and are very keen.

Five-Eighths Problem.

In the backs Rae has been steadily improving. Against Marist and Poneke he did not appear to the best advantage, but in the games against Wellington and Athletic he has shown fine form. Against Wellington his performance was the best of any of the Varsity backs. The five-eighths have so far been weak. Several combinations have bean tried with varying success and the best combination so far seen in action appears to be that used against Athletic—Parker and Larkin.

Failure of the five-eighths to get quickly on top of their opposing markers has made the task of the three-quarters an invidious one, and until the five-eighths display form, the side must be severely handicapped. Of the three-quarters. Eastwood in his two games has been really good, despite very limited opportunities; O'Regan has been sound and purposeful; and Tricklebank, despite injuries which have hampered his play, good. Of all the inside backs Tricklebank alone seems to have the ability to lake advantage of the wind in kicking to gain distance. Young has shown dash but appears to lack defence and a knowledge of positional play, and until he gains this his great speed will be of little avail. Kissel has not been in his best form at fullback but is showing improvement and should before long gain the standard he attained in the latter part of last season, when he gained his New Zealand University Blue.

Summing up if can be said that the prospects for the future are brighter and the record of the side should improve. Since the opening game live matches have been played, three being lost and two drawn.

Good Coaching.

Mr. Jim Parker has put in a lot of valuable time coaching the side and there is no doubt that his work is making a great difference in the play of the team. It is to be regretted that the vital weakness in the five- eighths has caused the results to appear less favourable than they deserve to be.

Members of the side who gained places in the North island University team were Burke. Meads, McNicol and Hansen—forwards; and Rae and Kissel—backs. They are to be congratulated. Eastwood, the Victorian wing, was not available.

[South Island won by 20 to 13—Sports Ed.]

Harriers

The College harriers combined with the Brooklyn and C.Y.M. Clubs for a run at Tawa Flat on Saturday, about 50 runners from the three clubs covering a course of approximately six miles. The country covered was admirably suited to cross-country running, and it was an appreciated change to get out of town and off bitumen roads. Despite the fact that the going was heavy at times and became increasingly so towards the end when many water-jumps were encountered. a good pace was maintained throughout.

General Form.

The novice race run three weeks ago produced two likely runners in Caird and Colling wood, who finished fourth and sixth respectively. Both these men will continue to improve, and both should do well in inter club races. At Karori, Caird was running easily with the fast pack and impresses as a runner who would be quite at home on a rough day.

Morpeth is out again after a spell or a season. His fifth in the Sherwood was good work, and he was quite at home with the best at Tawa Flat. Powell is another new runner of whom more should be heard. With training both of these men will be in the first fight.

The Club is unfortunate in losing Jack Northey, who is being transferred to Auckland. He had just reached the stage when he would have been a valuable asset and he will be missed in inter-club events.

Inter-club racing will soon be with us and all members are exhorted to do some training. Some of the old hands who should know better are leaving their preliminary work too late. Take notice, Varsity Harriers, that the Dome Cup will be held on 24th June, and the club team should fill one of the minor placings!! In any case, how much more you enjoy the sport if you are fit.

Next Saturday the club is sending a team of eight runners to Dannevirke to compete in a 6¼ mile inter-club race there. The rest of the members will run from Varsity gymnasium, not from Thorndon as stated in the syllabus.

Women's Hockey

In recent years little success has attended the efforts of the playing members of the Women's Hockey Club. Last year heavy defeats in competition games had such an effect on enthusiasm and morale that two teams actually disbanded before the end of the season. This season the seniors are a much younger team than usual and we offer some comments on the players.

Doris Johansen (goal).—A new player. Has yet to prove her worth.

Winifreed Lawgood (left full-back). — A hard hitter but must tackle more.

Janet Bogle (right full-back).—Doing good work. Keep stick down and don't hit across mouth of goal.

Noline Anderson (left half).—Tackles well but must learn to clear.

Vesta Emmanuel (centre half).—Very useful on defensive play. Hits well but would improve if she kept more to her own position.

Margaret Wallace (right half).—Useful and energetic player.

Betty Fraser (right wing).—Good fast forward. Centres well.

Mary Frankish (right inner).—Not finite fast enough. I asses well.

Betty Stubbs (centre forward).—Much improved player but still weak on attack. Use left side more).

Nell Allardice (left inner).—A new player who will improve with practice.

Betty Rider (left wing).—A fast determined player. Sometimes spoils her play by retaining possession too long.

•

Afterthought.

There is no itch
In the delicately nutured bosoms
of the' rich.