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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 16. August 14, 1952

Men's Hockey . .

Men's Hockey . . .

The team which is to represent the V.U.C. Men's Hockey Club at Winter Tournament this year appears to be one of the strongest of those which have worn the green jersey over the past four years. Built up around a solid nucleus of five regular senior players is a combination which should go a long way towards winning a Hockey Section of Tournament, and thus gain valuable points for Victoria in the contest for the Tournament Shield.

There is in this team an admirable blending of experienced players with younger players who are likely to profit much from the gains of Tournament. Indeed, it is the last factor which is most important. Win or lose, our team is sure to play a high standard of hockey and every member of the team will gain in knowledge and experience from playing in such a competition.

Hockey in the New Zealand University College is at present on a very high plane an shown by the record of the N.Z.U. team in Australia last year. It remains to be seen how thin year's team fares against the touring Australian representatives. V.U.C. is represented in the N.Z.U. team by Gatfield and O'Connor, with Compton and Cryer as reserves.

The following is the team to repre-V.U.C. at Winter Tournament:—
  • Coates, the goalkeeper, has been playing excellent hockey this season and his wide knowledge of the game will be of great value to the team. In recent years he has represented Wellington and last year he toured Australia in the N.Z.U. team.
  • Gatley, one of the younger players, who was a member of the Palmerston North Boys' High School first eleven last year, will be one of the full backs. He is a skilful player, adept at setting the team quickly on attack.
  • Gatfleld, the captain, will be playing at centre half. His sound tactical knowledge and leadership, apart from his own play which is always of the highest standard should stand the team in good stead. Last year he represented N.Z.U. in Australia.
  • Revell, an acquisition from Dunedin, where he represented Otago Colts, has been a regular member of the senior team since he was promoted early in the season. He is a reliable half or full back.

The other half backs. Little and Shelton are members of the second grade, second division team, where they have played good hockey thin season.

The forward lines promises to be one of the strongest departments of the team.

Two senior players, Cryer and Humbly should be able to direct the attacks to good purpose. Cryer is a former Wellington rep and was on N.Z.U. player in Australia last year. He fills either the right wing or an inside forward position. Hambly, a product of Gisborne High School, is a fine inside forward or left wing. He has played excellent hockey in Wellington this year and represented Wellington against Hutt Valley for the Ross Cup.

Dry and Brown, from the second grade second division team are valuable members of the team. Dry is a versatile player who was selected to represent Wellington second grade against Hutt Valley last season. Brown, as member of last year's Tournament team is an inside forward of great determination.

The other three team members are from the second grade, first division team which is unbeaten up till now.

Oaks, a right wing or inside right, has played hockey in Christchurch before coming to Wellington. He played for V.U.C. in last year's Tournament and also represented Wellington's second grade this year.

Nealon, is a centre forward of great ability who takes the trend of play with great skill. He has represented Waikato colts. Auckland country colts and Wellington colts (1952).

Turner, a fast left wing gained valuable experience at last year's Tournament and should give a good account of himself both on and off the field. He represented Wellington second grade against Hutt Valley last year and was left wing for the Wellington colts team in 1951 and again in 1952.