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Football

The hope expressed in these columns in the last issue of the "Spike" that the College would "pull off" the championship, has unfortunately not eventuated. It is still a hope, and nothing more. Nevertheless, the College has every reason to be proud of the fight put up by its team. It seemed in the early stages of the game that the team would at least be a runner up for championship honours; but with the vacation set in that "dry rot" which has always nipped the 'Varsity's chances in the bud. We were unfortunate too, in that we drew all the stronger teams in the competition during the vacation— Selwyn, Oriental and Petone in succession.

The standard of play was throughout the games not, of course, up to that of the senior games in pre-war days; but there was plenty of fast, open play as well as some good, hard tussles in the scrums. The college team, provided its members trained moderately, is quite the equal of any team in the competition. In speed it is, taken collectively, easily superior to any other team. Its forwards are fairly hefty and capable of great work. The backs have a fine turn of speed; but through lack of practice, and incidentally combination, the value of the speed is to a great extent, lost.

An endeavour was made to run a junior team; but this had to be abandoned owing to the lack of interest displayed. It is a pity that those who could not obtain a game in the first team could not sink their dignity for the sake of the college and play junior. There were not a few players who were kept back from playing junior page 94 for this very reason and such a spirit is very regrettable in men who have gone through good secondary schools.

At the request of the Rugby Union a list of past and present members of the club who have offered their services to their country was compiled. An endeavour was made to bring out an accurate list, but this we were unable to do owing to lack of records. So far as could be ascertained, one hundred and twenty-five members of the club are either away at the front or have enlisted. Of these one hundred and twenty-five, twelve have been killed. This is indeed a record of which the club may be justly proud.

The following were the games played:—v. Athletic, won 19-3. This was the first game of the season and strangely enough the College team proved to be in better form than its opponents. The game was marked by fast back play—Lyes and Barker being conspicuous amongst the backs, while Churchhill worked heroically amongst the forwards. Tries were scored by Lyes (2) Barker McKenna and Churchhill. McKenna converted two.

v. Old Boys, won 18-6. In the first spell the Old Boys had the advantage of a fairly brisk breeze and managed to register 6 points against us. The tune was changed, however, when College turned round to the wind. By hard play our forwards tired the opponents, pushing them all over the field. Tries were scored by O'Sullivan, Dickson, Barker and Archer. Two were converted by McKenna.

v. Poneke, won 22-3. This game was the most unfortunate and unsportsmans-like game of the season. It resembled rather a rough and tumble melleE than a game of rugby. Perhaps the wait of half an hour for the referee tried the tempers of both teams.

v. St. Patrick's College, won 40-3. The whole team played in fine style, the forwards letting the ball out to the backs whenever an opportunity offered. The pack when in possession of the ball couldn't be stopped. O'Sullivan (3), Dickson (3), Lyes (2), Maxwell (2), Barker, Churchhill scored. Churchhill and McKenna converted one goal each.

v. Selwyn, lost 8-3. This game proved to be one of the hardest fought games of the season. The forwards who had had their ranks depleted owing to the vacation page 95 were not able to withstand the onslaught of the Selwyn pack and consequently any advantage we may have had over them in the backs was lost owing to the half being smothered before he could get rid of the ball. The only try for the College was scored by Dickson.

v. Oriental, lost 6-5. We quote the Free Lance:— Considering the adverse circumstances, the players in this game gave a splendid display of football. "Keep it open and fast" was apparently the order, for both teams did their best to keep the game up to this standard, and they succeeded well in their endeavour—so well that the spectators enjoyed the game, and were loud in their approval.

Oriental won by the narrowest of margins—6 points (two tries by Pratt) to 5 (try by O'Sullivan converted by Russell). They should probably have won by more, considering the opportunities they had, but the University fellows deserve full credit for the fine defence they put up.

v. Petone, lost 30-4. The College with a "vacation team" played a plucky though a losing game, and given a little more luck would have considerably reduced Petone's lead. Somehow the forwards didn't seem to be able to stand up to their opponents and the motley crew that made up the backs made little better showing. Jackson and O'Sullivan defended valiantly. Riley potted from in play.

v. Wellington, won 14-3. After a succession of defeats the result of this game was refreshing. The score at half time was in favour of Wellington but as usual the "College" team settled down to business in the second spell. The ball came out fairly well but many chances were missed owing to some of the backs sticking to the ball. This is a fault which the whole team suffers from. Churchhill's score was a great one. He ran through the whole team. Other scores were obtained by McKenna, Adams, and O'Sullivan. Russell converted one.

v. Hutt, won 5-3. This was one of the surprise games of the season. Although the team only numbered thirteen a run-over game was expected. The tables were however turned and it was only through a beautiful kick by Russell that we were able "to pull off" a win. Francis of All Black fame proved a tower of strength to the Huttites.

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v. Wellington, won 22-6. The College team excelled itself. From the start the backs and forwards worked together as they had never done before. When the ball came out, the backs whipped it across the field in great style. The passing was equal to any ever witnessed in the pre-war games, the ball passing through the hands of every back. The play of Cullen was nippy and full of life. He stood out among a team of good players. Churchhill, Prussing and O'Sullivan were at their best. Tries were scored by O'Sullivan (2), Ryan (2), Cullen and Maxwell.

There remain several matches in the competitions to be decided.