Although deprived of the services of a number of players through military manoeuvres, injuries and the vacation, the 1st XV. seems to have settled down at last and from now on should prove one of the toughest sides in the competition. Three of the four games lost might well have been won had the team shown a little more determination in its defence and put a shade more sting into its attack. A wee bit of luck might also have helped.

Against Poneke, however, the forwards got right down to business and gave their heavier opponents a lesson in rucking and scrummaging. The backs improved their defence, and thanks to Mummery's brilliant interception and spectacular try, 'Varsity notched its first win.

Last Saturday's game against Marist was a great battle. The forwards, heavily outweighted, worked like heroes and fought back strongly towards the end of the second spell to save the game. Ably led by Meads, who seems to play better football every season, the pack is good. Masters, now playing up to his true form, went great guns against Poneke, and Guy Smith won his way into the Reps, in the Athletic match. Although not very tall, Innes gives nothing away, and the team has had more than its share of the ball from the scrums. He tackles tigerishly, and is a real battler. Solidity has been the keynote in the work of both Webb and Green. They are always in the thick stuff, Webb being outstanding in the Marist game.