Tennis

11 am Friday morning saw Victoria into its first match. The men were drawn to play Canterbury and beat them convincingly five matches to one. From then there was no stopping them, and after a wet Saturday they returned to beat Massey 5-1 and Lincoln College 5-1 on Sunday and Otago 4-2 on Monday. The Only match unplayed was against Auckland who had lost 5-1 to Canterbury earlier.

Victoria thus gained a clear victory.

Mark Dunphy, the No. 1 began with an impressive win over Neilson of Canterbury but was unfortunate in his losses to the top players at Tournament.

Craig Smith, the No. 2 had a belter performance record winning two of his four matches but losing to Croad of Otago who won the tournament last year. Together in the doubles, however, they were invincible end crushed every opponent placed before them. The real credit of Victoria's win went to the Nos. 3 and 4 Robert Langton and Stuart Wright, who won every match they played, individually and in combination. Robert Langton especially is to be congratulated in winning each of his eitht games without dropping a set.

The women also achieved an impressive record. Ably captained by Sarah Mulheron, they obtained a well-fought win over Auckland, last year's winners, 7 sets to 6. Sunday's unfortunate loss to Otago 2-4 was quickly forgotten in their triumphs over Canterbury/ Lincoln 5-1 and Massey 5-1. In desperate retaliation however Auckland succeeded in beating Otago 4-2 giving them an overall win in the women's draw and relegating Victoria to third place.

Dale Robinson, the No. 1 held her own with wins over all but the two top seeded players, Judy Phillips and Lynette Ward. Kate Hatherton, the No. 2 began with an impressive win over former New Zealand seed Judy Garvey 6-2, 6-3 and thereafter beat Canterbury/Lincoln and Massey, losing only to Otago. In doubles they won two of their four matches losing only to Auckland's Ward and Garvey and a well practiced doubles combination from Otago. Janette Elley, the No. 3 and Christina Lockwood, the No. 4 both played well, Janette winning three and Christine two of their four matches and comvining to beat all but Otago in the doubles.

Thus on final results Victoria was joint winner with Otago.

Rowing:-

Victoria had one crew in the rowing — the novice eights, but they split to form two novice fours. The novice fours was the first race and the highlight was the coxing of twelve-stone cox, Dennis Hayden. As the four came round the bend they were hidden behind Massey until there was the order, 'Keep to your course, Victoria' at which the shell was seen to veer suddenly towards the bank nearly throwing the crew out. Both fours came second and so were eliminated before the final, but some of their classic style can be seen in the photograph.

The eight consisting of a borrowed Canterbury cox, Dave Lawson, Andy Phillpot, Liam Heggarty, Pat Wilson, John Lawsen, Dennis Clifford, Alistair Lawrence and Rob Barge took the water fn the good ship 'El Almien'. A well-timed start saw Victoria to the rear of the last boat. Although they made up ground, Victoria's brute strength was not enough to overhaul the dainty, fairy-like style of Otago, who's oars dipped and carressed the shining waters of Kerrs Reach, nor Massey's class and so the eight had to be content with third in the final.

Cricket:—

The Cricket Tournament at Christchurch proved the exception to the rule, in comparison with the rest of the Tournament, with the organisation and success being above par.

Games were restricted to 40 overs on mainly slow wickets which proved an embarrassment to many of the players. This fact alone exposed the inexperience of University cricketers in general and probably contributed to the closeness of competition. However, the old spirit was still there, even if the characters of old have left us. No doubt though, the young players who participated will strengthen this character over the coming years. The Tournament was narrowly won by Canterbury from Otago, with Lincoln and Victoria in hot pursuit.

The Victoria team performed admirably and in two of its four games played, provided the most exciting cricket seen on llam Park. Unfortunately for Victoria, its top order batsman failed to produce the goods and only the efforts of Greg Roberts thwarted its demise. Even so, Victoria, if it had not lost its last game against Otago by one run would have finished a close second.

The player really to shine at Christchurcn was Graham Lynch who in a marathon effort took 19 wickets in the 4 games played and gave the bowlings its backbone. Younger players in the side to impress were Stu Cox and Peter Castle, while Nels Andersen was outstanding behind the stumps.

Despite its position of 4th in the Tournament. Victoria managed to have four players included in the NZU team, which may play 2 tests against Australia Universities in N.Z. next year. The players selected were: G.Lynch, G.Roberts, J.Greenwood (captain), N.Andersen.

Players who took part were: J.Ross, I.Singleton, S.Pilkington, S.Cox, G.Lynch, J.Greenwood, G.Roberts, B.Pound, P.McCaw, P.Castle. M.Gilbert, N.Andersen.

Drinking

Although poorly organised, the Victoria team distinguished themselves in the drinking contest and were the cleanest drinkers and the only stayers of the tournament.

To the well-known strains of 'Land of Hope and Glory' the Vic. drinking/rowing team, resplendent in their green and gold singlets, biceps rippling in the dim light of the Ham ballroom, took the stand.

In the individual sprints, John 'Lips' Lawson and Andy 'Capacity' Phillpot were our 'men'. Lawson was soon an established favourite, having been the only drinker to have drunk his seven so quickly and cleanly that not even the inebriated Lincoln judges could dispute who had won. However, due to the biasness of the judges after numerous redrinks, John and Andy through no fault of their own came 4th and 7th respectively.

The 6×7oz. relay was next and a team of 'Bitch' Barge, 'Ring-in' De Veer, 'Landslide' Heggarty, Lawson, Lawrence, 'Capacity' Phillpot and 'Lips' Lawson took the stage to the resounding cheers of the crowd. Having gulped their way through to the semi-finals, the team were eliminated by the foul tactics of the judges who decided to change the rules of what up to then had been a straight drink-off into a best of three. The team then shovead the crowd what great drinkers are all about and shouted the team motto. The South Island is beaut', The crowd was chanting, 'Victoria, Victoria", but this failed to sway the judges, and later the Otago team was pelted with cans as the crowd showed its dislike of their animalistic habits.

Victoria's greatest moment was still to come. The kegs race was next and this consisted of picking the six most stupid members of the team, Hayden and Rutherford being added at this point, who had no regard for health or future sanity in an attempt by six drinkers to down 4½ gallons of warm South Island beer. Withstanding, showers of beer from irate supporters and inebriated spectators, the Victoria team drank and spat their way to victory. During the excitement. Sports Officer Kevin Wright received a stiff-upper cut to the left eye from Dennis Clifford, an excited team member shouting, 'Come on, Victoria'.

Dave Rutherford.