Slick Sticks Blood and Mud

After being dropped for a year or so the mixed hockey game, which in past years has been the curtain-raiser to the rugby football game for that now precious trophy, the Kirk Cup, was revived, or resurrected, depending on the point of view. And so it was that the multitudes that streamed down from Varsity on Tuesday, July 15, were privileged to witness quite some tussle between Physics, Chem., and Meds. v. Biology, Arts.

To the pleasing accompaniment of rain, wind and some sleet here and there the two teams reluctantly took the soccer ground and, dispensing with hakas and cheers, trudged to their respective positions. And the combat began with a blast from Viv. Rich's whistle. Sticks flew, mud flew, and so did the ball, when it was visible. After some dour, exchanges back and forth over the field, Devon Close, the Physics-Chem. centre, finally sent a shot that left two full-backs and one goalie standing. Not content with this magnificent effort the one-time Navy player sent another scorcher in. Score 2-0 in Physics-Chems' favour.

Then, as a pleasing change to break monotony, "Good-time" O'Connor and Ted Shilton participated in some crafty moves culminating in Shilton pushing home a goal for Biology-Arts.

Many were the sighs when Gavin Liddell's whistle blew for half-time, but these changed to groans when, in view of the weather, it was decided to play on with no break. Just before this, Killer Stairmand succeeded in claiming his second victim, viz, Glen Simmers, who had to retire from the fray with a cut eye. To the accompaniment of whistles and cheers from the fans. Heather Leed took the field to replace Glen.

The second half saw Mr. Close doing tricks with the ball despite the combined efforts of Messrs. Silver, Culliford and Misses Sleeman and Spiers. Score now 3-1 to Physics-Chem. Then Ted Shilton, evading the attacks of Warren Persson and Phyllis Ashwin, collected a rakish pass from his colleague O'Connor (Call me Good-time) and sent in an effort that brought the score to 3-2. But the inevitable Close changed the score to read 4-2. After a few more barked and bruised shins, Thora Marwick and Bice Young came near to scoring again for Physics-Chem., but could not quite finish off their movements, and it was left for Heyes to score another notch for Biology-Arts to bring the final total to 4-3 and Physics-Chem were victors by that score.

And like the Raven, the players left the field (?) quoting "Nevermore."