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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review October 1907

Hockey

page 44

Hockey

"It's a foine game for the gurrls," said Mr Hinissey.
"So it is," says Mr Dooley, "for those that doesn't play it."

Hockey.

TThe continued success of this club in cup matches is a pleasant change from the conditions prevailing in most of our other teams. Not only do they win matches with astonishing consistency, but their opponents are rarely allowed the luxury of even one goal. Attack and defense are alike excellent, and even in the absence of one or two shining lights next year sufficient talent will probably remain to maintain their record, and unless the improvement in football, which is to date from the erection of the gymnasium, is truly phenomenal, the ladies will bring home our second cup championship. More power to their lusty arms if they do—the footballers at least will be pleased to see a cup from anywhere. If they could only be induced to take more interest in preserving some particulars of their doughty deeds for future generations, our satisfaction would be complete. Modesty is a rare virtue, but it can be over done. Slight dissatisfaction appears to have arisen in outside clubs over the action of the Match Committee in arranging byes for Victoria College during the term vacation. This course is usual in all other competitions, and it is quite in the best interests of the game that teams should be fully represented.

Notes on Matches

V.C. v St. John's Won 4—0. Day Capping festivities, which may account for tatal absence of details.

V.C. v Kiwis. Won 2—0. We assume that it was a fine open game with backs very safe and forwards well combined. Goals by Misses Tavendale and Antill.

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Hockey First Eleven, 1907.

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V.C. v Petone. Won 2—0. Considerable falling off in form compared with previous Saturday's display. Miss Strack scored one goal. And Petone goalkeeper contributed another.

V.C. v Ngatiawa. Won 4—0. Miss Strack (4) scored with apparent ease from all points of the compass.

V.C. v St John's. Won 5. Forward combination affected by ravages of influenza. Misses K. McIntosh (2), Tavendale, Antill, and Cox divided the honours.

V.C. v Waihora. Lost 2—1. The winners were a touring team from Christchured. College pressed during most of the first spell without success, while Waihoras notched two goals in the last ten minutes. Towards the end of the second spell Miss Strack got away down the line, and scored brilliantluy. Miss K. McIntosj was also very prominent.

Cup Final.

"Please give me a penny, sir."

O'Leary.

This match was decided at Day's Bay, and a casual observer might well have been pardoned for imagining that the "Duchess "had been chartered by the Students' Association for the occasion. Prospects a glorious victory over last year's champions, and triumphant return with the first cup won by Victoria College on local fields of battle, drew forth a tremendous array of youth and beauty to cheer the chosen warriors. The inevitable concert took place, and O'Leary improved the shining hour with a hat, ostensibly to assist College clubs.

"The Kiwi is almost a flightless bird; its wings are mere vestiges."

Professor Kirk.

Sufficiently accurate for the naturalist, no doubt, but not quite in accordance with recent displays by the versatile bird. The backs who had to oppose Miss Wellwood's meteoric career probably have considerable respect for the maligned wings. The pace set up from the bully gave early evidence of a keen game, and expectations were fully realised. Kiwi's were forced to concede "corners "twice in the first ten minutes, but from the second they initiated a strong attack on the left wing. Miss MacKellar proved equal to the occasion, and gave the forwards line a fine chance, spoilt in the nick of time by Miss Gear. Kiwi forwards now commenced to open up the game, and made some excellent passing rushes, which seemed certain to result in a score, but a warm shot from the left wing (Miss Wellwood) was safely steered clear by Miss Young. From the resulting hit out Miss Strack came away in great style, but the wings were not up, and a fine chance went begging. Momentarily checked, College came on again, and Miss Burden shot hard fast, only to have "sticks "ruled against her. A fine Kiwi rush from the free hit was cleared by Miss Young, and followed by a counter-rush of the greens greens right to the circle, where offside play relieved the pressure, and saw Miss Wellwood clear away down the side line. Miss Reeve and Miss Scott accounted for her effort, and alternate fast rushes marked the end of the spell without score. On resuming, even play followed till Miss Antill obtained possession page 48 and reached the circle "on her own. "there Miss Gear took charge, and set her forwards in action, a strong attack almost resulting in a score. Miss McIntosh and Miss Reeve removed play to safer quarters, but the Kiwi combination was beginning to tell, and from another chance Miss Wellwood made no mistake. Kiwi 1—0. "Green and Gold "barrackers now made a supreme effort from the bank, but without apparent result. College goal saved one hot shot, but missed another, and Miss Holmes registered a second goal for Kiwi. 2—0. This was too much. From the bully, Miss Strack made the run of the day, centered at the psychological moment and Miss Antill found the net amidst wild applause. The pace was very merry in the closing minutes, and College died game when the whistle hailed the Kiwis as winners of the Ladies Championship of 1907. Hearty congratulations on a hard-earned victory. Our own team played an excellent game all round, and individually have no thong to learn from their opponents, whose superiority lay in their combination.

The second eleven has a record with which, considering the difficulty of securing full teams, it can well be satisfied. Its members have at least always put in a good opposition. Some have played regularly, but even by drawing upon the resources of the third eleven, it has often been impossible to get more than eight or nine players.

The third eleven has, we believe, not once played a full team, but in spite of that fact it can claim one victory (by default). Concerning the rest of its achievements we preserve a merciful silence.

Surely the ladies who do play hockey derive from it pleasures which ought to appeal to those who don't. Let all the College ladies who are already players stick loyally to their College, and let those who are not yet players make a start as soon as possible. They will never regret it, and Victoria College may see three full teams in the fields, each competing as keenly as, and even more successfully than, the 1907 first eleven for the championship in its own particular grade.

Second Eleven.

V.C. v Kiwi II. Lost, 3—9. Played at Petone on a very wet ground. Miss Dale played well in goal, and Miss Hewetson was a great acquisition as full-back.

V.C. v St. John's II. Won 2—1. Four of the regular team were unable to play, but Miss Great cast aside mathematics and played brilliantly. Score might have been bigger if less attention had been paid to the Kiwi match.

V.C. v Girl's College B. Ground changed from Hutt to Miramar. V. C. went to Miramar, they to the Hutt. Our team short-handed and weary.

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V.C. v Wellington II. Lost 6—1. Five of team. Miss MacKellar scored first goal. Score was 1 all at the end the first spell, but the odds were too great, and we stood and watched them score.

V.C. v Girls' College B. Lost 1—0. We were 9 against 10, and made a good fight. No score till just before the whistle blew. The ground was very slippery, though not quite at its worst. Our girls must learn to wear short skirts.

V.C. v Huia A. won 1—0. Miss Renner scored. A mid-week practice had greatly improved our form. F. Cooke played a good game.

V.C. v Girls' College A. Lost 5—1. Very hot. Our halves too tired to keep their places.

V.C. v Wellington. Won by default. Eight of us and seven of them played a practice match.

V.C. v Kiwi. Lost, 6—0. Played one short. Miss Renner and Miss Robson made some good but ineffectual rushes.

V.C. v St. John's. Lost, 6—2. Miss Hilderth and Miss Renner scored. "Von." Barracked and gave us hints. We sang capping songs, especially "Bridget."

Third Eleven.

The only details which we are authors to public are :—
(1)A win by default.
(2)A number of practice matces [sic].