Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, October 1906

Football

page 15

Football

Our courage all untarnished
We . . . . display
But to tell the truth unvarnished
We are more inclined to say,
"Please you do not hurt us."

Sketch of men playing rugby

AA pleasing feature of the visit of the Sydney University footballers was the desire they expressed that a team representative of the New Zealand University should pay them a visit. An inter-University contest would excite much greater interest than one between single Colleges, and the probable presentation of a representative badge or "blue" would make the honour a much-coveted one. The difficulties in the way do not seem insurmountable. That of selection would undoubtedly be the greatest, and mistakes might be made, but in any case it should be satisfactory to know that the team in Sydney was drawn, not from a single College, but from the whole University—even if any particular College was so lacking in talent in any one year as to have no man in the team.

For the first time we have had the pleasure of seeing one of our men playing in inter-provincial matches. G. Bogle was Captain of Wellington "B" against Horowhenua, and also played for the "A" team against Otago. A. McCarthy, whom we were sorry to lose at the beginning of the second half, has been playing for Wanganui reps.

page 16

Canterbury Match.

The second match against Canterbury College was played on the Athletic Park shortly after the beginning of the second term, and resulted in a lucky win for Victoria College.

Lack of training was evident, and the Canterbury forward play, especially in the second half, was much superior to ours, notwithstanding the fact that they had just come off the boat.

Shortly after the beginning of the game V.C. scored a penalty goal.

From a scrum in our own ground a good passing rush was started, the ball passing through several hands, both of forwards and backs. This was checked for a moment, but de la Mare passed back and A. Bogle crossed the line, the try being converted. V.C. 8, Canterbury nil. De la Mare dislocated his finger and had to retire, McKenzie taking his place. His loss was very marked. Canterbury forwards played very well in the second spell, but Dobbie went down to their rushes in good style. They heeled the ball, or screwed the scrum as they pleased, and had the backs tested our tackling capabilities more, instead of kicking. the result might have been very different. When they did indulge in passing, two nice tries were scored, one each by Manihera and Adamson, and a third was gained by McLennan, who charged over the line from behind the scrum. One was converted. From a scrum on their line, Dobbie got the ball and dashed for the line. He was held, however, but handed the ball on to G. Bogle, who scored and converted. A free kick from a mark increased our score, and the game ended in our favour by 16 to 11.

Sydney University Match.

Sydney won the toss and elected to play with a fairly strong breeze blowing against them, but with the sun at their backs. V.C. followed up the kick, spoilt the return, and the ball went out inside the Sydney quarter. From the throw-in a scrambling rush took place, and a free kick gave G. Bogle a chance at goal. The effort was a good one, the ball striking the post. V.C. then attacked strongly, but a free kick to Sydney relieved. Wilson came round the scrum, spoiled the Sydney half, and Bogle intercepting a pass took the ball into Sydney ground, but hard kicking lost us the chance. At this stage Dobbie retired injured, and for the next half-hour V.C. played a man short.

A splendid passing rush by Sydney resulted in a score near the post. The referee gave no charge, and a goal was page 17 registered. Sydney 5, V.C. nil. Off-side play by Sydney gave us a shot at goal, but Bogle's kick was unsuccessful. Sydney carried play down the field, but a counter rush was started by de la Mare. A splendid attack was set up by the Sydney backs, who, from their own twenty five, carried the ball down the field and scored. The kick was converted. Sydney 10, V.C. nil. Goulding now filled Dobbie's place. Sydney were forced and started a passing rush, which was stopped by Hunter. Play of a give-and-take character followed till the bell went, the spell ending Sydney 10, V.C. nil.

On changing ends the superiority of the Sydney backs was quickly made manifest, though at. first V.C. had the advantage. Bogle and Wilson following up spoilt the return, and the ball went out at the corner flag. From the throw in, loose play followed till Sydney obtained the ball at half-way, and running through registered the third try, which was converted. In forward play which followed, Thomas, de la Mare, Short and A. Tudhope were prominent. After a smart interchange of kicks Sydney started a passing rush, which ended in a try, but the kick at goal was fruitless. For some time play remained close to the V.C. line, and from a scrum the ball went out to a Sydney back, who dashed over between the posts. The try was converted. Another rush was started by Sydney, Hunter saving by bumping his man into touch in goal. In quick succession Sydney scored two tries, one of which was converted. After a spell of loose work the ball went out to W. Tudhope, who took it down the field. Goulding got possession and made a good run being collared on the line, but A. Tudhope snapped up the ball and fell over. The try was not converted, and the whistle went. Sydney 31, V.C. 3.

First Fifteen.

V.C. v. Athletics. Lost, 21—0. Athletics forwards superior all round.

V.C. v. Orientals. Lost, 25—0. College team played a wretched game.

V.C. v. Southern. Won, 13—0. Play very little better. Millier scored as result of a good passing rush. Short and A. Bogle also scored. Two tries were converted.

V.C. v. Wellington. Lost, 10—6. Although defeated V.C. played one of their best games this season. Score made up of a try by Millier and a penalty goal by Bogle.

Games played, 10. Won 2. Lost 7. Drawn 1. Points for 61. Against 163.

page 18

III. A.

V.C. v. Kia Ora. Won, 14—0. Combination of both backs and forwards was good. G. W. Reid secured two tries, Jordan one. One was a forward try, and East converted one try.

V.C. v. Star Boating. Lost, 9—0. The capping supper and dance accounted for a good deal.

V.C. v. Oriental. Lost, 3—0. The hardest game of the season.

V.C. v. Petone. Won, 8—0. A very fast game and score should have been bigger. Jordan made a brilliant run from one end of the field to the other. The score was compiled by G. W. Reid (one try) which Forne converted, and a goal from a penalty kicked by Forne.

V.C. v. Karori. Won, 12—0. G. W. Reid secured two tries; one was a forward try, and J. B. Reid kicked a goal from a penalty.

V.C. v. Wellington. Lost, 5—6. Wellington turned out with a strong team, and we were only able to score once, the try falling to J. B. Reid, who also converted.

V.C. v. Epuni. Draw, 0—0. This should have been an easy victory, but forwards were tired and the back play bad.

V.C. v. Southern. Won, 14—0. In this game we outclassed our opponents, the forwards playing with great dash and the backs showing much better combination than on the previous Saturday. G. W. Reid scored three tries, J. B. Reid one try and one was converted.

V.C. v. Old Boys. Won, 11—3. Very fast game. The honours this time fell to the hockey members of the team, Beere scoring two and Watson one.

Games played, 14. Won 8. Lost 4. Drawn 2. Points for 134. Against 36.

Juniors.

This has been a most unsatisfactory season for this team. During eight weeks no matches were played, and by the time the team was called on it was out of form. Nine matches were set down, of which three were won by default.

V.C. v. Wellington. Lost, 8—0.

V.C. v. Athletics. Lost, 22—0. Forward rushes good. Arnold played one of the best games.

Matches played 6. Lost 6. Points for 0. Against 84.

III. B.

V.C. v. St. James. Lost, 42—0. Team held their own in first spell.

V.C. v. Civil Service. Won, 17—0. Tries obtained by Colquhoun, McDonald and Kennedy.

page 19

V.C. v. Kia Ora. Lost, 11—5.

V.C. v. Karcri. Won, 3—0.

V.C. v. Athletics. Lost, 22—8. Played with 11 men.

V.C. v. Wellington. Lost, 32—0.

V.C. v. Stars. Lost, 34—0. Full team for first time.

V.C. v. Epuni. Lost. 26—0.

Matches played 12. Won 2. Lost 10. Points for 36. Against 267.

[Note.—The editors do not hold themselves responsible for any errors in the above reports. They have done their best with the very unsatisfactory material forwarded.]

The Wail of the Athlete.

The Council thinks that too much importance is attached to athletics. "Dulce est desipere in loco."

Dusted o'er with Uncle's treasures
All my sporting heart held dear,
Let them lie, my quondam pleasures,
Laurels for no athletes here.

All the hopes we fondly cherished
That our trophies might be seen,
'Neath the Council's ukase perished,
As the hues of yestereen.

Flood and field we won them, toiling
For the olive, green and gold.
Now in base Nirvana spoiling
As the leaves in Autumn wold.

This is now our faithful Koran
Read and swat the week end through,
Poppied pages for Maclaurin,
Brown and Hunter, Salmond too.

But our high wise-acres, turning
May be to the long ago.
Ere the rime of years and learning
Chilled the glad Olympic yearning
Must with pity on us glow.

Throne the trophies high in glory,
Raise the pæan, loud and keen,
Far into the future hoary
They will tell the childhood's story
Of the old gold and the green.

"Nine-Two-fifts.'

Aftermath.
Hence we scorned to snatch this season
Aught of hockey, football, fame,
Fear of trophies was the reason
That the III. B. sold the game.