The 1927 season is one of the most successful that our Club has had for years past. Quite apart from the success of the various teams, there has been a keenness and a joyous camaraderie in the Club itself, and an interest in Club affairs which has been lacking in previous seasons. We have had no trouble with "short" teams even in Karori's wildest blizzards, surely an indication that the members are keen. A little canvassing at the beginning of the season gave us an inrush of new players, with the result that three teams were entered in the Grade Competitions, a Senior A, a Senior B, and a Junior. Our activities have been many and various, for the Inter-Varsity Tournament was again an important event this year, and besides this, the Senior A team made a week-end trip to Palmerston North to play a game against a local club. Details of these trips appear below. As a fitting wind-up to a most successful season, we are trying to arrange a Hockey Club Dinner to take place within the next few weeks. Members are asked to watch the Notice Boards for an announcement to this effect, and to support what should be a very enjoyable function.

It is hoped, too, that we will be able to arrange a friendly game with a team of V.U.C. Old Boys when the grade matches are finished.

Grade Matches.

Senior a Team.

The team has been a very happy family. New members this season are: B. Mitford (ex Otago Varsity), R. Atkinson. B. Massey and W. Sykes (all ex-Training College). J. L. McDuff played in the Tournament, while H. F. Bollard and R. Warburton have also played on several occasions. The team started well, but had a lean time for several matches in the middle of the season, which put championship honours definitely out of reach. The team has combined well, and is an all round improvement on that of last season. These notes would serve no useful purpose were they to single out individual players, but we feel that we must particularly mention Skipper Ed. McLeod, who has done so much for the team.

V. Hutt.—Won 5—2. Last year's champions were as surprised as ourselves at the magnitude of their defeat. The ground was in perfect condition, and the forwards played like clockwork. An impressive opening match from our point of view.

V. Karori A.—Lost 1—2. One of the best matches of the season. Our halves had the busiest of times, and the forwards could not get past a great defence. The better team won.

V. Karori B.—Won 2—1. Rather a drab game. The forwards missed many opportunities.

page 54

V. Wellington.—Won 3—2. This was our final game before travelling to Christchurch, and did not raise our hopes of success. There was too much speculating amongst the defence, but the forwards worked hard all through.

V. Wesley.—Lost 2—3. This was a good game. We should have drawn, but the luck was just against us. The Wesley forwards were very fine in the circle, and missed no opportunities of scoring.

V. Hutt.—Lost 2—6. With three regulars absent, we were no match for Hutt, who thoroughly deserved their win. Lusty played a great game for the winners, notching 5 of the goals.

V. Karori A.—Lost 1—2. The best match of the season, and only a miracle of refereeing saved Karori from defeat. Great work by the backs on both sides, while our forwards combined splendidly and played with great dash. The Karori custodian had an anxious time right through the second half.

V. Training College.—Drawn 2—2. A good fast game. We were not quite as fit as our opponents, who played a fine game in the second spell.

V. Wellington.—Won 5—0. At half-time neither side had scored, but after that our forwards evidently felt in scoring mood. Macdonald and Simpson were the moody ones.

V. Karori B.—Won 5—0. Another game in which the forwards gave Karori's goalie a busy time.

V. Training College.—Won 2—1. Macdonald scored a beautiful goal shortly after half-time, and we managed to keep the lead. We were slightly lucky, and a draw would have been a fair indication of the game.

Summary.—Matches played, 11; won, 6; lost, 4; drawn, 1; goals for, 30; goals against, 21.

Senior B Team.

At the beginning of the season, the committee was doubtful whether a Senior B team should be entered, but the team has fully justified the higher status, and next season should settle down to a strong combination. The forwards must remember, however, that the only way to get goals is to shoot quick and hard when in the circle. We note with pleasure that Colonel R. St. J. Beere is once again turning out with his old club. Colonel Beere has represented V.U.C. on many occasions, and it is pleasant to see that his keenness and interest in the Club have not diminished as the seasons pass. We welcome his return from the reserve to the active list, and hope that he has come to stay.

• V. Huia.—Drawn 2—2.
• V. Karori.—Lost 1—5.
• V. Wesley.—Drawn 1—1.
• V. Hutt.—Lost 0—4.
• V. Wellington.—Won 4—0.
• V. Petone.—Lost 1—4.
• V. Y.M.C.A.—Lost 0—2.
• V. Huia.—Won 3—1.
• V. Karori—Lost 4—6.
• V. Wesley.—Won 5—2.
• V. Hutt.—Lost 1—6.
• V. Wellington.—Won 4—0.

Summary.—Games played, 12; won, 4; lost, 6; drawn, 2; goals for, 26; goals against, 33.

Junior Team.

At last we have a Junior team that is able to score goals. The team is a little weak in defence, however. Though wins have not been frequent, the games have been close and interesting as a rule, and after all. the result does not matter if the team is keen.

• V. Training College.—Lost 3—5.
• V. Hutt.—Lost 5—6.
• V. Huia.—Lost 3—5.
• V. Y.M.C.A.—Lost 0—3.
• V. Karori.—Lost 4—6.
• V. Petone.—Won 3—1.
• V. Wesley.—Lost 2—3.
• V. Traning College.—Lost 2—3
• V. Hutt.—Lost 2—6.
• V. Huia.—Won 3—1.
• V. Y.M.C.A.—Lost 2—3.
• V. Karori.—Lost 2—5.

Summary.—Games played. 12; won, 2; lost 10; goals for 31; goals against, 47.

page 55

Inter Varsity Tournament.

We travelled to Christchurch on the 1st June, the personnel of the team being as follows:—J. L. McDuff, J. Macdonald, G. Simpson, W. Sykes, F. H. Paul, V. Francis, E. McLeod, I. Macarthur, R. Atkinson, B. Massey, B. Mitford, H. F. Bollard.

On Thursday, June 2nd. we met Canterbury College in the first game and won 9—4. The two outstanding players were Macdonald and Simpson. The Canterbury defence could not cope with the quick and accurate short passing of our forwards. The game was fast throughout. In the second game, Auckland got home from Otago by 3—2.

Friday saw Otago score a close victory over Canterbury, while the final was fought out between Auckland and ourselves. It was a great game, fast and open. The Auckland halves were a tower of strength to their side, frequently stopping promising movements by our forwards. A.U.C. won by 4—3 after a wildly exciting last fifteen minutes, when we strained every nerve to score. A game worthy of the final. We congratulate Auckland on their win.

At the complimentary dinner held that night, the New Zealand Universities team was announced, and we were pleased to hear that three of our team had gained the honour of being members of the first Z.N.U. team. They were: F. H. Paul, B. Massey and J. Macdonald. On the following day the Canterbury Representatives gained a substantial victory by 6—2 over this team, but considering that the N.Z.U. team had never played together before, and that its members had just competed in a strenuous tournament, the result was not as bad as the score indicated.

The tournament was most enjoyable from start to finish. Our hosts did everything possible to make us enjoy our visit. We must congratulate C.U.C. on the excellence of the general arrangement of the contest, and thank them for their generous hospitality.

Palmerston Trip.

On Saturday, 13th August, the Senior A team made a visit to Palmerston. The following account of the match is culled from the "Dominion":—"On a ground that was little more than a sea of mud a V.U.C. team played representatives of Palmerston High School Old Boys to-day, a good, hard fought game resulting in a draw. Both sides scored one goal. From the beginning the pace was made willing, but the deplorable condition of the ground rendered brilliancy out of the question and up to the end of the first spell neither side had scored. Nevertheless some good play was seen, and V.U.C. players showed great combination and pace. They found an even match in the local team, however, although, had the visitors been favoured with a hard ground it is probable they would have emerged the victors. For V.U.C. F. H. Paul scored, and Pratt for the local team."

In the evening we were entertained at the R.S.A. Dance, and we returned home on the Monday morning. We take this opportunity of thanking our hosts for a trip which we all thoroughly enjoyed. We hope that they will be able to pay us a return visit next season.