Visiting Footballers Defeat VUC

Play was fairly even in the first half, with Auckland, by superior weight and the superb hooking of Roberts, gaining a large share of the ball in the set scrums, though Victoria shaded them in the line outs. At half-time Victoria led 6-0, Brian having kicked two penalty goals, but soon after the interval Laurence scored for Auckland, breaking through a gap caused by the injury at five-eighths. Goodwin, who had been playing an excellent game throughout. Play was very fast and keen, and Shannon, with some excellent constructive forward play, and Benseman, with some deadly tackling, stood out among the forwards. The combination of Goodwin, Langley, and Overton was working well, but the Auckland defence was very good. However, when Auckland attacked they found the Victoria backs quite as fine tacklers, and very few attacks got through.

Before the end Bennett, who had been playing his best game of the season, dived over for a try, which Brian converted. Laurence scored again for Auckland, then Sinel and then Barter, making the final score 19-11.

In the evening, after the usual preliminaries, a dance was held in the Gym., many students kindly contributing to its success.

Thanks are due to billeters, social committee, and all those club members who helped to make the trip such a success.

Seniors.—Though handicapped by injuries to and absence of key players, the 1st XV continues to give a good account of itself and has, since our last issue, beaten Mlramar 14-3 and lost to Upper Hutt 3-12. The lack of weight in the forwards has been telling heavily, however, this being especially noticeable in the match with Upper Hutt. The backs are an excellent set, at times brilliant and generally very solid. At half, Paki is playing very well, and making rapid improvement with every game. He is combining well with Goodwin, and against Upper Hutt saved the side time and again. Brian, as full back since the retirement of Berg, is a first-class prospect in that position, and Overton signaled his return to the seniors by scoring two tries against Miramar.

Of the forwards, probably the best all-round worker is Dun, whose play has been of a particularly high standard, while Murphy and Shannon, old club men, are among the best forwards in the competition.

Juniors.—Another two losses, one by default, have been added to the melancholy list, though there are several bright spots in the performance of this team. Notable among these are the hooking and general play of Lyver, the all-round work of Gordon Orr in the forwards, and the promise of the three-quarter line. Congratulations to Walker and Goldfinch in repping for Victoria against Auckland. They proved in that game that, given the chance, they are as good wings as most in the junior competition, and would welcome a few more opportunities. Against Poneke the team was perhaps a little unlucky to lose 6-14, but more sting in the forwards and snap in the backs is yet required.

Third A.—After a most encouraging win 21-3 over TC this side was severely handled by Wellington College (27-3). One has only, however, to look at the list of injuries for the season to discover in part the cause of the team's relatively poor record. Some seven or eight players have already been injured seriously enough to put them out of football for periods ranging from several week's to a full season, which is scarcely conducive to good combination. Shimmins, a fine prospect as a five-eighth, was unfortunately injured early in the TC game. Of the backs, Wilde and Goodman are sound on defence and brilliant on attack, Goodman especially showing excellent promise on the wing. Of the forwards, Batters-by, O'Regan and White are always to be relied upon for a hard-working game, Batters by's tries against TC being excellent efforts. Third A is perhaps the hardest of any of the lower grades, and one can expect to find good hard footballers developing from this Bide, players who will be of excellent service to the club later on.

Third B.—After being beaten by Upper Hutt, Tanu Jowett and his men showed that they were not at all down-hearted by defeating On slow 9-6. No doubt the presence of ex-representatives like Ben Overton (ex-Canterbury) and Moore Tweed (ex-Otago) helped to strengthen the team, while Crutchley, by scoring a try and kicking a penalty, had a big hand in winning the game. Ken Headifin, moved to half, is making a tradesman-like job of his new position, and the forwards, occasionally taking spells on the wing, are working into form. Captain Jowett is at present arranging a smoke concert for as many as give him notice of intention to come, so if you are interested, contact him (phone: home, 55-170).

Third C.—Once again this team, after losing to Paremata 0-6, turned on a good performance in defeating Petone C by 22-7, which makes this team's record the most impressive of any of the club's lower grade sides. Watson and Rea seem to do most of the scoring, but Bogle is always in attendance just in case anything goes wrong. Gilchrist, as half-back, looks like developing into a very fine player, and Treacy, though handicapped by lack of size, is a good five-eighths. Some of the forwards are still a little reluctant to enter the loose scrums, though Lang and Mason joyfully enter into everything. Camble and Parsons are a keen pair, who put all they can into their efforts.