N.Z.U. Blues

Miss Nelson who is now at Canterbury and did not take part in Tournament was a member of the N.Z tennis team which toured Australia at the end of 1956 and was also top woman for the N.Z.U. team [unclear: versu] the touring Australian Universities this season.

Cricket In The Rain

It was all most depressing. No play against Auckland—curtailed hours in impossible conditions against Canterbury. Small consolation was the fact that Vic. without winning (or losing) a game came second in the cricket section and swelled Vic's tota points by 3½.

Auckland's train weary cricketers led by young (18) Plunket Shield off spinner John Sparling were spared the trials of the unknown but not very promising wicket at Ben Burn Park Karori. Rain led the captains to abandon the frame early on the second day without a ball bowled. Meanwhile in a match at Dunedin limited by the weather to one day, Canterbury defeated O.U. with 5 wickets and a few minutes to spare. In the second round Vic. drew Canterbury a team studded with Plunket Shield (Alabaster, Gallop, Haskell) and N Z.U. players.

In consistent, drizzling rain, captain Jim Thomson won the toss and sent in Peter Coutts and Michae Lance. The early overs of ex-Vic medium fast bowler Haskell showed how difficult the conditions were (and incidentally what a fine job the Logan Park groundsman had done in preparing a wicket at all). With the opening bowler unable to stand up off-spinners Alabaster and Park took over the attack and immediately dropped into the steady length which they continued to bowl until the end of the innings, relieved only by a few overs from left-hand spinner Timpson and some variable leg spinning from the young Plunket Shield player, D. Gallop.

Although Lance (14) was soon bowled by Alabaster, allowing for the spin which didn't take effect on the sodden wicket, Coutts and David Ward played some attractive shots and took the score to 81 before Ward was unfortunately run out for 27. Next ball Coutts was caught at first slip for 39, his best innings of the season for Victoria. With the score 3 for 81. N.Z.U. batsman Pete Carver (59) and promoted second grade player Jim McDonald (46 no.) became associated in a most valuable partnership. While Carver batter delightfully—his cover drives and leg side shots bring very well timed—McDonald hit hard high and with a little luck. However the slow wicket, accurate bowling and well placed fields made scoring difficult and a declaration could not be made until after lunch on the second day.

Set to score 223 in about 3½ hours, Canterbury made no attempt to get the runs, secure in the knowledge that only in the unlikely event of Auckland defeating Otago could they be deprived of first place. (In fact Otago defeated Auckland by 55 runs on the first innings). The Canterbury openers Hunter and Axford, played their way slowly into the N.Z.U. team, each scoring 47, but otherwise the innings (127-2) was completely colourless. Opening Victoria bowlers. Zohrab and Martin found the treacherous run up and lifeless wicket quite unsuitable, while only Massey, off spinner, Maurice McDonald, of the slow bowlers, seemed to cause the batsmen any great difficulty.

Pete Carver was the only Vic. player to gain a place in the N.Z.U. team which of necessity was selected on reputation.

The Noble Art

Vic blood flowed about as freely as the Dunedin rain. Although trainer Mr. H. Robinson did a grand job in the short time available, our boxers came up against opponents of infinitely greater experience.

Lightweight Bob Jones scored our only success. After deflating T. Hull (O) in a torrid bout in the morning, Jones came up against the strong C. Metcalfe (C) in the final. Metcalfe scored well in the first two rounds but Jones rallied strongly and his cleaner punching gained him the decision.

Spiros Zavos in the featherweight division met defending champion P. Hohepa, of Auckland, and gamely fought for three rounds before the referee stopped the contest. Hohepa was awarded the medal for the most scientific boxer. John Hunn, our welterweight representative, lost in the preliminaries to J. Trenwyth, of Auckland. The bout was fought at a fast pace and Hunn, a stylish boxer, lost a close points decision.

Haslam Shield Shoot: Members of the Victoria University College defence rifle shooting team prepare for the 300 Yards Ropid shoot at Pelichet Bay on Saturday afternoon. With J. Mansell (left) is I. Chatwin.

Doug Law, former N.Z.U. champion disposed of M. Hill (C.U.C.), last year's champion and winner of the Scientific Boxer's Medal, in convincing manner and showed speed and good footwork. In the final Law fought a courageous fight against the strong J. Parry (O.) but lost a points decision Determined B. Gibson in the light middleweght division fought a rugged opponent in C. Wilson (C.U.C.) and lost by a t.k.o. in the first round.

Athletics—cold and Slow

Victoria certainly didn't shine on the track and yet the standard in most events was lower than in previous years. This, of course, was partly caused by the cold weather and slow tracks.

The women's team sadly missed Cherry Pointon not only because of her strong chances in the field events but also as the most experienced member of the team. Jo Kale was the only member of the women's team to win any distinction with a fine throw for second place in the discus.

Among the men McQuire of Massey ran very well in the 880 yards final to gain second place for Victoria. Our only other placing on the track was a third in the 4 x440 men's relay. Victoria met with slightly moro success in the men's field events where Colin Bayer took a third placing in the discus with a good throw in an event where well known athlete R. G. Ball set a new record at 135ft. 5½ ins. Don Trow with a leap of 5ft. 7½ ins. took second place in the High Jump from Young of Otago, on a count back.

One of the highlights of the Athletics meeting was the Invitation Pole Vault where Richards of Otago cleared a record height only to find that the measurements had been incorrectly made.

Tennis

As was expected the young Vic. team failed to emulate the illustrious record of the representatives from this College over the past four or five Tournaments. However, there is plenty of talent in such players as Nick Greenwood, Pam Carson, Dawn France and Roly Perkins.

Results: Men's Singles: 1st Round—R. Perkins beat W. Dickson (C.U.C.) 8-6, 6-4; N. Greenwood beat W. Foley (A.U.C.), 6-3, 6-2; 2nd Round—D. Lye (O.U.) beat Greenwood, 6-1. 6-1; J. Montgomerie beat Perkins, 6-4, 6.2.

Women's Singles: Miss D. France lost to Miss J. Buxton (O.U.), 6-4 6-2; Miss P. Carson lost to Miss B. Colthart (O.U.), 6-2. 6-3.

Men's Doubles: Lye and Montgomerie (O.U.) beat B. Small and G Challis. 6-0, 610; Couper and Little (O.U.) beat Greenwood and Ferkins 2-6, 6-4, 63.

Women's Doubles: Misses France and Carson beat Misses Buxton and Nelson ( O.U.), 6-4. 8-6; Misses Blundell and Bernau (O.U.) beat Misses Grieg and Mcllraith, 6-3, 6-2; 2nd Round—Misses Fladgate and Sisson (A.U.C.) beat Misses France and Carson, 6-3, 6-4.

Mixed Doubles: Crofts and Miss Lambert (C.U.C.) heat Small and Miss Greig, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2; Nimmo and Miss McKaly beat Challis and Miss Mcllraith, 6-4, 6-2.

On the Water

[unclear: Pr.] Tournament hopes for the Vic rowing eight were high. Unfortunately the improvement in the standard at this College was more than matched by that of the other centres. V.U.C lost the initiative from the start and although they were moving more smoothly by the mile post it was too late. Otago, stroking at a lower rate went on to win by a good margin from the inexperienced Auckland crew Canterbury, a strong crew, pul on the pace over the last few hundred yards but Auckland had too much in reserve.

Notwithstanding our fourth place two Vic. men, Mike Winter and Frank Crotty, were chosen for the N.Z.U. crew which came second to a New Zealand eight. Mike Winter further distinguished himself by gaining a N.Z.U. Blue.

In the fours Otago again took first place but excellent though their performance was, the excitement came from the contenders for second place Vic. and Canterbury fought neck and neck the whole way and could not be separated at the finishing line. The inclusion of two novices in the V.U.C crew made their performance even more meritorious and much credit must go to the coach, Mr. L. Brooker a former Olympic oarsman.

The double sculls was something of a fiasco. Otago was the first boat across the line followed by Victoria (Loader and Winter). However, both crews were disqualified for having are underweight coxwains and Canterbury were declared the winners—a black mark on the organising efforts of O.U who were responsible for the provision of coxes for this event.

In the girl's race V.U.C. combined very well to take second place to Auckland. Last year's winners, Canterbury, finished at the tail of the field Despite the opposition to women's rowing at Otago, that College boated two promising crews.

Shots in the Dark

At the Pelichet Bay range the light was so bad that the sixth and final deliberate practice shoot (at 600 yards) was cancelled. Notwithstanding the gloomy conditions there was some excellent shooting and high scoring Although individual scores are not available, I. Newton shot well to gain his second N.Z.U. blue.

Haslam Shield Totals: C.U.C. 980, 1; O.U. 964, 2; V.U.C. 892, 3; A.U.C. 848.

Basketball

Otago took the basketball crows winning all of their matches, Although Vic. failed to win any of their games the team was certainly not outclassed. Five Vic. girls (see last issue) were selected for the North Island team which beat the South Island Colleges by 16 goals to 14 in a fast open game.

Canterbury v. Victoria

This match was fairly evenly contested throughout with the half-time score 3 all. Victoria's S. Thomson scored the two opening goals, to be followed by Canterbury's P. Harris (2). Canterbury was on attack at the opening of the second half, and some bright exchanges were seen. The game ended: Canterbury 10, Victoria 8.

Otago v. Victoria

Against Victoria, Otago struck good form in the first half with fine play by the three defenders, L. Orbell, J. Deaken and V. Butchers. Otago took its total to six before Victoria scored and increased its lead to make the half-time score: Otago 11, Victoria 3. Victoria improved in the second half, but could not reduce the margin. The game ended: Otago 19, Victoria 12.

Auckland v. Victoria

Auckland lead Victoria University College by 19 goals to 15. Auckland went into an early lead of four goals and although Victoria tried desperately, they failed to eliminate this advantage.

The game was one of brisk interchanges with both teams taking turns at calling the tune. However, half time was called with Auckland leading 9-6.

Auckland scored again early in the second half, but then Victoria took control and managed to get within one point of Auckland before they lost the initiative.

The late stages of the game were dominated by Auckland, and the final score was 19-15.

Auckland v. Canterbury

A change of weather in this match made conditions unpleasant. I. Hood opened Auckland's account and R Taylor equalised. Auckland held the lead at half-time by 6.4. Canterbury made strong efforts to gain the lead in the second half, livening up the play and attacking strenuously. The margin was reduced but Auckland wor 13-12. The referee was Miss Corcoran