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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1936. Volume 7. Number 3.

Lead Kindly Luck. . . . — Swimming, Boxing and Tennis

page 4

Lead Kindly Luck. . . .

Swimming, Boxing and Tennis

Swimming.

Last Wednesday evening the Swimming club held their annual Carnival at Thorndon Baths. A rather disappointing crowd, consisting mainly of competitors, was present but nevertheless there were some good races and altogether an enjoyable evening's entertainment. This carnival serves as a finale to the club's year, and also as a means of bringing to light members of future teams.

During the las few weeks regular trials have been held with a view to the final selection of the Tournament team. In all, some ten races have been held over the distances in the Tournament programme. In these races Mason showed superiority in the sprints and King in the distances. Meek was obviously the best of the breaststroke "eligibles." As a result the team for Easter is as follows:—

Freestyle.— 100 yards and 220 yards, Mason. 100 yards and 440 yards, King. 220 yards and 440 yards, Archibald.

Breaststroke.— 220 Yards, Meek. In the women's events the representatives will be Miss Pilcher, 50 and 100 yards freestyle; and Miss Sanders, 100 yards breaststroke.

It is hard at this stage to judge the merits of the team but with Symes of O.U. unavailable, V.U.C.'s chances will be raised. The races will be held in Thorndon Baths and as the other Colleges have tepid baths available for training, the home course will be a definite advantage. Meek, who was second last year in the breaststroke will be a hard man to beat. Carlyon, the logical choice as second string in all events, is unavailable.

Football in Japan.

Rugby in Japan is as yet confined to the schools and universities. It has not achieved the popularity of baseball which is the national game and is followed by huge crowds. When a man adopts Rugby as his sport he takes it up with characteristic thoroughness, practising for a couple of hours daily all the year and playing no other game.

Rarely do they depart from the in orthodox style of Rughy. Back and forward play follows the traditional method of giving the ball to the backs and out to the wings as the seoring agents. In this they have attained a high standard. Scrummaging and line-out work is terrifically vigorous: the forwards seldom weighed 12 stone, but what they lacked in wieight and height they certainly made up in dash. They often beat our big men for the ball and alwaysheld their own until the end of the game when pure superior strength overwhelmed them. The inside backs excell in passing and tackling-to naila man he had to be put down ball and all, otherwise he would get the ball away. They seemed to be able to pass standing on their left ear. But for all this, they lacked initiative, preferring to pass straight out to the wing, often without drawing an opponent. The New Zealand method of cutting in or putting their ears back and going for the line was unknown to them.

According to our standards the crowds (often as many as 40,000) are most unsporting. Any Japanese gain would be hailded with shouts of delight, but a brilliant movement by our team would appear to leave them cold. This was not bad sportsmanship, but merely an indication of the intenses nationalism of the people. It was a case of playing for Japan and cheering for Japan.

On the contrary the Japanese players themselves were the very finest sportsmen in our sense of the word: there was never a suspicion of moaning or putting in the boot. And they could teach New Zealand how to take an international beating.

Boxing.

The boxing preliminaries held in Parris's gymnasium on Thursday night. On the whole the result was most disappointing and things do not look too bright for Tournament. We pin our faith on those whom we did not see fight-Armour, Edgley and Meek. These men automatically go into the team as they were the only ones in their respective weilghts.

The first bout between Campbell, 8.10 and Goring Johnston, 8.10, was a poor one, neighter man adopting nay style at all. Johnston did not make any use of his long left, nor did campbell with his stocky height, concentrate on his infighting and, most important, he must get rid of the habit of hitting with an open glove.

Tossman, 9.9, gained the decision over Egleton, 9.13. The first round was bright and speedy, but the fight soon slowed up. Egleton made little use of his left, which is his chief asset. Tossman took some hard knocks, but stood up gamelymeeting his man with some heavy rights as he rushed in.

Edwards, 9.7, with his useful left and a right which sometimes connected beat his opponent, Richards. Edwards would be much improved if he showed a little more "devil" in his fighting.

Skelly, 9.7, fought Turnbull, 10.0, in the semi-finals of this weight. Skelly was the most stylish boxer we saw; his steady lefts stopped his opponent, who was apt to rush in somewhat blindly. He appeared to be the fittest man there, and showed no fatigue in his second bout, when he easily defeated Edwards for the final. In fact, he gave an even better display in this latter fight. Unfortunately, he is a fresher this year and consequently is not eligible for the team. A man who shows such promise at 17 will undoubtedly have a colourful boxing career in front of him.

Lima, 11.12 (complete with beard), provided an amusing about with Barnes, 11.7, the latter winning easily.

O'Connor gave an exhibition bout of two rounds with Walsh, but as it was purely an exhibition, nothing can be gauged from it. Tossman and edwards have still fight off for representation in the lightweight.

Athletics.

On Saturday next the Interfactulty Sports will be held on Kelburn Park. Everyone is asked to attend, especially freshers. There will be a full programme of events and a team from Massey College will also compete. The Tournament Team will be chosen after this meeting.

Tennis.

When the weather improves and one or two doubtful questions of eligibility are settled, it will be possible to give more detailed information regarding the tennis team for Tournament. In the meantime, the following notes on the likely players may be of assistance to punters.

D. Briggs has held top ladder position for this season. Mainly a baseline player, her lack of height making journeys to the net relatively dangerous. Her forehand is played in a natural, easy manner which, however, makes it difficult to return only when fast and accurately placed. Plays till the last stroke and is not easily distrubed. Ought to learn her sister's backhand drive.

J. Grainger is in good form at present. Displays a willingness to take the net and to "pack away" overhead shots. Has not managed to practice enough early in the season so as to consolidate her play. Prone to serve doubles. She also is very determined to win.

P. Edward's play is spoilt to a certain extent by lazy habits formed in friendly games. Consequently in match play certain things which should be automatic require extra mental effort. In fact her whole attitude is so different that she feels the nervous strain and is apt to be easily upset. Has an excellent backhand. Is expected to combine well with Dorothy Gerard.

"Buff" McCarthy's play has been summed up as "all attack." however he is careful to note weaknesses and it is not surprising that he has Improved.

Marchant plays a steady unobtrusive game, preferably from the backline. There is no fuss or fireworks but he wins the points.

White is a stylish player with very accurately timed overhead strokes when on form. Has the doubtful advantage of knowing what ought to be done and is unduly distressed by the occasional hiatus between the idea and its execution.

Sivyer s a left-hander who has improved very rapidly during the past season or two: makes full use of his height and is thus hard to pass at net. As a singles player shows admirable match temperament, hanging on till the very end. But in doubles there is a grimness about this play which may be disconcerting to a player of a different temperament.

Liddle has all the strokes-good forehand and backhand, good service and overhead plus an iron wrist for volleys, but for some reason does not get the best results.

V. U. C. DRAMATIC LUB Rehearsed Play-Reading "Libel!" A Play by Edward Wooll In the Gymnasium, Friday, 27th March, 1936 SUPER 1d.

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