Soccer...

On Monday V.U.C. did everything but score against Massey. Their rugged defence managed to keep the green forwards out but it was mainly the hard bumpy ground that was responsible for keeping the score down to 2-0. The next day the team fared much better against Lincoln whom they trounced by 10 goals to nil. Teamwork was much more evident with the ball being moved about "on the carpet" to the advantage of our boys. In the afternoon on the same day Victoria encountered more opposition from Otago who who were defeated by 3 to nil. all scored by Preston, who was playing a great game. Wednesday saw Vic. matched against Auckland, who played a rugged, long kicking game which was of no avail against the superior positioning of the V.U.C. defence.

The stage was set for the deciding match against Canterbury on Thursday. Everyone seemed to be fit enough but the hard grounds had taken their toll on the players' feet. There was concern in the Vic. camp as Don Robinson, their star fullback, had left the night before. A slightly weakened team took the field against C.U.C. and it took a while to settle down. Very soon Vic. was down 1—3 due to some misunderstanding in the defence. In the second half Vic. threw everything into the attacks and on several occasions came close to scoring, but it was not till the last minute of the match that Victoria equalised, bringing a tense and exciting game to a thrilling finish.

Some comments on individual performances:—

E. Harris captained the side very ably and was throughout a tower of strength on defence. He also captained the N.Z.U. side and was awarded a N.Z.U. blue.

A. Preston played excellently all through, showing great ball control and a great variety of tricks to fool the defence. He also earned a N.Z.U. blue this year, having received one last year.

D. Robinson was the best full-back in the tournament. The fact that he could not stay for the N.Z.U. game may have cost him a N.Z.U. blue. Don showed terrific speed and an unusual tigerishness that had been previously lacking in his game. At left full-back he had perfect understanding with the centre-half.

W. Aldridge, certainly the most energetic forward in the team, scored some good goals. Chosen as centre-forward for the N.Z.U. team, Bill performed very creditably indeed in the tournament. With a little more ruggedness this player can become an extremely dangerous man in front of goal.

W. Millward, selected for the N.Z.U. side, was the outstanding wing-half. He is excellent on defence but tended to loft the ball on attack. If he learns to pass the ball along the ground he would be more effective as an attacking wing-half.

E. D. Laws was one of the keenest members of the team. He used ground passes to team-mates very effectively but lacks speed. Dave took Robinson's place in the N.Z.U. team as the latter was not available.

G. Watson, normally a very heady footballer, was a disappointment at tournament. Nothing seemed to go right for him except the corner kicks.

B. Reddy did not relish the conditions at all and found the ball extremely hard to control. He was well below his usual club form except on defence.

B. Legge was perhaps the unluckiest member of the team. Brian is a very efficient goalkeeper, but the fact that he had little to do may have cost him a place in the N.Z.U. team.

R. Harris showed flashes of good ball control and shoots with either foot. He scored two excellent goals with neat snappy shots.

G. Hollyman. a tireless worker from the junior team, was always in the thick of play. Physically well built, this boy is improving very rapidly.

R. Lea is another member of the junior team who played only two games but did his best in both. He must learn to pass to a teammate whenever possible.

P. Brown also played 2 games. In the first he was disappointing but he improved in the second. Peter has the football in him but he seems to lack determination and vigour for a forward.

Men's Basketball...

Shield Places: 1. M.A.C; 2. C.U.C: 3. O.U.

Shooting . . .

Whatever has happened to our shooting. I thought that Vic was well-known for its shooting ? Well, the team did get a trophy for the lowest score which Ed Williams suitably acknowledged in a brief speech on Tournament Ball night. The prize was a portable, machine finished, totara lavatory seat. Just how suitable the prize was is easily discovered from the results.

Women's Hockey...

The women's hockey team met with a moderate degree of success. Their three points were due to a very good effort against the host college, Canterbury. The general standard of play was uneven, Otago had an exceptionally strong team containing many provincial players, while Canterbury and Victoria were not up to an acceptable tournament standard.

Their main weakness lay in lack of determination near the goal. Too often there was a readiness to allow the defending players too much lati tude thus giving them ample opportunity to clear.

B. Haldane in goal had a torrid time, being continually subjected to strong attacks. The full-backs, P. Burr and L. Holland. also hud a lot to do. Lack of cohesion with their halves added to their difficulties. The halves, B. Kingdon, A. Wellwood and P. Simmers were quite proficient at directing attacks but were too inclined towards individualism.

Of the forwards P. McKenzie showed strong determination but failure to centre more quickly marred her play. R. Baird also gave a good performance but the same criticism is applicable to her.

Golf...

The golf team did well, and as was remarked before, this was entirely unexpected. It will be remembered that this college opposed the re-introduction of golf into the tournament but it was included. (Either included or left in—the memory is a bit hazy.) It would be hard to say whether it has justified its place or not, but from Victoria's point of view any sport that gets us a point is worth its place in tournament. A letter sent to the executive this year brought up the question of forming a Victoria College Golf Club but with typical executive slothfulness the buck was passed back to the person who wrote the letter to do all the work. If our tournament result is the outcome of the formation of a new club (although we have not yet heard of its official existence) then they arc indeed to be congratulated. Their results were:—

Inter-Varsity Cup: 1. A.U.C. 2. V.U.C.; 3. OU.: 4. C.U.C.

Burt Cup: 1 O.U.: 2. C.U.C.

Rugby Notes . . .

Two players from Victoria have this season been given the highest honour N.Z. football can bestow—the All Black Jersey, Jarden, a tried international, again received the selector' nod; Fitzgerald was given his baptism but failed to obtain confirmation. Two All Blacks from one club is quite a fair effort.

A pleasing feature which we hope has not passed unnoticed is the high position the Junior Thirds obtained in the Griffith Shield. This shield is awarded on the basis of such things as punctuality, dress and sportsmanship, It says well for a club when playing ability is blended with such so often neglected points.

—B.V.G.