Soccer

In a fifty-mile-an-hour gale and driving sleet our A team defeated Navy at Seatoun on Saturday, 14th. During the first half, Varsity, playing a defensive game because of the adverse wind, succeeded in stalling all Navy's attempts on their goal. By half-time play had reached a stalemate, no side having scored.

Shortly after the opening of the second half, Varsity, making full use of the wind, began a series of concentrated attacks on the Navy goal. Richardson was the first to score from well out, and this was shortly followed by a neat goal from Walls, who, playing at centre-forward, pressed his opportunity and netted again. With yet another well-played shot from well out, Richardson at centre-half scored again for Varsity. As is usual after a period of success, the team became over-confident, with the result that ten minutes before the finish of the game Navy carried the ball down the field and netted their first goal. This aroused Bruce Mackie, who, taking time by the forelock, left Varsity's lead in no doubt by driving the ball hard into the goal. At the final whistle, Varsity led by five goals to one.

On 21st, our A team played Petone Tech. Old Boys at Wakefield Park. A poorer exhibition of senior football has rarely been seen. From the start, a spirit of apathy and weariness was displayed by all. Neither side played as a team, and lack of team-work in the Varsity forwards was lamentably evident. During the first half, either side could have scored easily, but the frequent opportunities were neglected by both teams.

After half-time, neither team having scored, the play grew keener and the general standard improved. Williams, playing at left wing, carried the ball down to the Petone goal several times, and was well backed in these rushes by Trott. In contrast with the forward line, the backs played well, and Sutton-Smith and Dickson staved off several determined attacks by the opposing team. Towards the end of the game it seemed that neither side would score until Walls, intercepting a pass from Weir at right wing, netted for Varsity. Shortly afterwards the final whistle blew and Varsity stood in the lead by one goal to nil.

It is felt that the general torpor of the Varsity team was due either to Extrav Reunion, held the night before, or to the presence of a Varsity women's hockey team on an adjoining ground.