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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol 5, No. 6. July 31, 1942

Sport

page 4

Sport

Women's Hockey Club

The team that visited Auckland last week-end was as follows:—

Goal: Sheila Mason.

Backs: Daisy Filmer ([unclear: capt].), Pat. Miles.

Half-backs: Mavis Davidson, Betty Rider, Janet Bogle.

Forwards: Irene Kean, Marion Marwick, Dorris Pegler, Ruth Russell, Marybell Wilson.

Despite Auckland's profuse apologies for the rough condition of the ground as compared with Milford Park—the home of women's sports in Auckland—Hobson Park proved to be much faster than any field our V.U.C. girls had previously experienced. This sudden change from "Newtown Mud-pool," and the effect of a sleepless night on the train, may have [unclear: counted] for the uninspiring open of the game.

At [unclear: 1st] the whole team seemed to be [unclear: rather] off form, and a good deal of work fell on Sheila in goal. The clean, snappy passes of the Auckland forwards, especially the right inside and centre, rather rattled our defence. Several times they passed our backs and would have scored, if Sheila had not so neatly diverted the ball. By half-time, however, they were making headway, and the score was 2—0 in their favour.

With the change of ends and louder encouragement from the sideline, our team began to buck up. Repeatedly the ball was taken down the left sideline by Marion Marwick and Irene Kean, only to be repelled by the Auckland full-back. These girls played a steady game, and finally their efforts were rewarded. An opening appeared on the right side, and the ball was swung over to Marybell, who wasted no time in passing the opposing half and centred the ball to Ruth Russell, who cleverly evaded the fullback and scored our only goal.

This, together with the enthusiastic but rather hoarse barracking from the men's team, seemed to spur on our team. The pace of the game increased. Amazingly, Dorris just failed to score for us, and the opposing forwards made several furious attempts in the last fifteen minutes, but by now our backs were proving more stubborn, and the score remained at 1—2. Another five minutes might have made the score equal, but, all things considered, Victoria though not victorious, were certainly [unclear: not] "licked."

The Juniors.

This team is proving very keen, but being comprised mainly of beginners at hockey this season, is finding it lather difficult to work up any combinations. Inexperience is certainly compensated for by the enthusiasm and vim of the players. Among those showing good promise, Doris Filmer is playing a steady game as left inside, Betty Boyes a few weeks ago [unclear: scored] the team's only [unclear: il], and Shona Bell is fitting in well [unclear: sf] full-back. The team will miss Joan Finlay from the half line, since, owing to illness, she will be unable to play again this season.

Tournament

On Friday, July 10th, With little advance publicity, three teams left Victoria for matches in Auckland against A.U.C. the following day. Ribbons were in evidence, but the scene at the Railway Station was a quiet one. However, when all had settled down in the train, it was not long before old Victoria tunes were being sung, although at 10.30 all lights were put out and some fortunate (or unfortunate) people managed to sleep.

On arrival at Auckland next morning, the team quickly dispersed to their billets, to re-assemble for the Women's Hockey match at 1.30 p.m. at Hobson Park. The Basketball girls then went off to their game at the University, leaving the men to play Auckland at 3 p.m.

That night a dance was held at A.U.C., and a good time was had by all. After a short speech of thanks by Evan Raine (captain of the men's team), the Victoria boys, led by Evan and Bruce Hands, showed Auckland how hakas should be done.

On Sunday afternoon (we slept Sunday morning, fathead) there was a motor drive to Titirangi, where the two chaperones, Moira Wicks and Bruce Hands, were much in evidence.

Sunday evening the last farewells were said at the Railway Station amid "Huakinas," and we set out on the return journey. Despite rumours of bad temper the crowd was soon singing, and joyful frolics continued through the night—and as one laddie remarked, "Can't some people talk?" The next morning Wellington greeted us back with the tradtonal spot of rain, and the teams wandered off up the hill to lectures again.

It can safely be said that although the teams did not meet with great success, the trip was greatly enjoyed by all, and, old timers, the youngsters are carrying on the old traditions.

Victoria

Basketball Club

For the first time in years V.U.C. is fielding only one team—the Senior "A" team.

At the beginning of the season it appeared that these ten girls would have to be entered as a Senior "B" team, so slight was their experience, but in the capable hands of Coach Pixie Higgin, a very creditable showing was made in the opening tournament, and we decided to maintain our senior status, come what may. [unclear: Subsequent] matches showed that we were fully justified. .

In the first match of the season, against Aspro, by quick passing and accurate shooting we were narrowly be ten 21—20. In the next three matches we were less fortunate, but in each case our girls put up a keen fight. Then our first win of the season, on a wet ground, but with fast play and increased confidence, V.U.C. defeated Wellington East Old Girls 11—10, promising well for the match against A.U.C. next week-end.

It was ten weary and unwashed girls that stepped from the Limited Express at Auckland Station on Saturday morning. These ten were to [unclear: meet] the Auckland team, whose list of N.Z.U. blues and provincial representatives was most formidable.

With no hakas, and only two sideline supporters, V.U.C. played a game that was remarkable for its lack of individual brilliance. Team co-ordination was to the fore, but the game was slow, especially for Tournament, but both teams played good basketball, and the match showed that next year V.U.C. should prove a formidable opponent to Wellington teams. The final score was 11—11.

The team was as follows:—

Centres: Moira Wicks (capt.), T. Muir, J. Strange.

Defence: R. Dowder, J. MacDonald, B. Sharp.

Forwards: M. Beattie, J. Grant, M. Parsons.

Men's Hockey Club

The main hockey news is the defeat of the first V.U.C. team by A.U.C. on July 11th, in Auckland. Under ideal conditions at Hobson Park, a strong A.U.C. side, containing five N.Z.U. blues, downed. V.U.C. 6—1.

It was a fine game, and more even than the scores indicate. From the first bully Ivor Ting, the V.U.C. centre, broke away, and A.U.C. had several anxious moments in the first quarter-hour. The A.U.C. forwards broke away into V.U.C. territory several times, and when a corner was conceded, Cooper, the A.U.C. left inside, made no mistake. Shortly afterwards Mason, the Wellington goalie, was unfortunate in deflecting a shot by Cooper into the goal.

Victoria then staged a great attack, culminating in a penalty corner from which Breach, right wing, attack, Hands and Ting both missed shots, to leave the half-time score scored. Although they continued to 2—1 down.

At the begnning of the second spell the play was very even, and for some time there was no score. Then the A.U.C. forwards broke through, and from a penalty corner scored. The V.U.C. attack was weakening, but play still fluctuated around the centre of the field. With ten minutes to go A.U.C. [unclear: began] to attack very strongly, and Cooper scored from two more penalty corners. Shortly before time Smiler, the A.U.C. right inside, picked one off Mason's pads to make the final score 6—1.

In the Third Grade competition in Wellington, the second V.U.C. team suffered a defeat at the hands of Huia. The half-line functioned well, but the forwards lacked the necessary punch to decide matters. This team is improving gradually, and several promising new players will, it is hoped, strengthen the side.

Swinburne plays solidly, and Gib Bogle is showing surprising speed on the right wing. The next match will be against Air Force, the leaders of the competition, and it promises to be an interesting tussle, as John Wilson, last year's centre forward, will be back with the team.