Freshers Note!!

Are you a Fresher? You are. Well — have you joined a V.U.C. Sports Club? You have not? You are saying,"Oh, I'll swot this year and I might join one next year."

Do not leave it until next year. The College wants you to participate now! Help us to get rid of this inferiority complex, this "Wooden Spoon Mindedness." Our appeal applies equally to all students. Let us make "Victoria Victorious" in the realm of sport this year.

King Willow.

The N.Z. team for England has been announced and all will agree but Blandford is one of the really 'hard luck" cases, after his brilliantly successful wicket-keeping this year coupled with his fine batting and 'keeping against the M.C.C. team last year. Another 'Varsity man of whom we had high hopes was Tricklebank who, a couple of years ago, was one of the most promising fast bowlers for years. But after his trip to Japan he did not quite strike his old form, and this, combined with a wet summer, robbed him of his chance. Now we have had our moan, and that's that!

The Senior XI under the captaincy of McMillan, has had a season of varied futures and now occupies a place in the middle of the championship ladder. Blandford's batting, including a fine century, and his 'keeping have been outstanding, as have the batting and bowling of Tricklebank. Lunn, a newcomer to the Seniors, has played some fine knocks, and Stevens has made some useful 30's and 40's. This player has an average of 50, and has rarely been out this season, so he might with advantage be promoted on the batting list. Harpur has done well with bat and ball, though a tendency towards "gallery play" at times spoils his effectiveness. McMillan has bowled consistently well.

The 2nd XI under the captaincy of J. B. Stephenson, are at present half-way down the championship ladder. The most successful players have been Knowsley, Johnston and Stephenson, all of whom have performed really well.

The Junior B.1., captained by Evans, has not had a very successful season, though there are several young players in their team who will later reach the higher grades. Evans has managed the team well.

Pat Kain's and "Spud" Murphy's teams have had, oh, such a jolly season! Usually a man or two short, but they have enjoyed their cricket. Modesty forbids that we recount their deeds.

Ted Blacker's paradoxically social-serious team has been going great guns, and is at present second on the ladder-"and soon will be first" says their captain, who, when asked who is their star performer proudly pipes "One Blacker."

Racquet and Ball.

Amidst telephone calls and vile epithets "Smad" interviewed the Chairman of the Tennis Club. "The season," he said, "had not been the best for tennis," as a matter of fact it had been—rotten. The Club had suffered a serious defection by the loss of J. McCarthy, who left Wellington recently for Hawera. "Jock" has been a ranked player in Wellington for a number of years, and has represented 'Varsity the maximum number of times. He is, at present, the holder of the N.Z.U. singles title. Nevertheless the First Division Team have done exceedingly well and will probably finish third in the competition. The Second Division Ladies, the Third Division and Fourth Division Teams are all holding their own.

The extremely unseasonable weather has made it practically impossible to get through the Club Championships with the usual precision? But they are now slowly dragging to a conclusion.

The Men's Ladder has been particularly active-due no doubt to the fact that the possibilities for Tournament are very open. Sanford, Brock and Thawley, have all climbed the ladder, while Hartley, the most promising of last year's Freshers, secured a place on the Ladder and quickly rose to fourth place. Ferkins still retains his pride of place unchallenged. We hope some day to have a player good enough to beat the N.Z. doubles champion.

The Ladies' Ladder has not been nearly so active. However, the present four top players, Dorothy Briggs. Stella Phillips, Janet Grainger and Pat Edwards will soon be leaving us, and a golden opportunity exists this year for Freshers and young students to fight their way by medium of the Ladder into the Tournament team.

Now for a word to Freshers. Saturday afternoon is Club day. Come along as often as you can. Give your name to the committee member with the shed and sets will be arranged. Play is permitted all day Sunday. As a rule games are not arranged on Sunday. Afternoon tea is provided on Club days at a small charge. If you wish to play Interclub at the end of this year-start now before you are busy with exams and challenge up the Ladder. Rules, Ladder, etc., are in the Gym. Watch the Notice Boards.

Secretary: H. Sivyer; Office 'phone, 42-950; home phone, 27-097.

Athletics.

Owing to had weather which kept the other athletic clubs from competing before the end of January, 'Varsity was read to turn out as soon as anybody, thus constituting a record. But we had not been doing nothing, so to speak, because early in the season the previous and the present Club Captains, viz., Stan Eade and Tom Birks, gave a social evening and saveloy supper at which the guest of honour, Mr. McCormick, delivered a first-hand talk on New Zealand's famed representative, Jack Lovelock. New members were welcomed and the evening was such a success that there is hope of holding another and inviting the Olympic Games starter, Dorrie Leslie, to attend and relate some of his experiences.

Further activities of the Club have been two Club meetings, much postponed on account of rain, at which members have had a good chance of obtaining competitive experience. Results of these meetings are as follows:—

At the end of last year we lost Phil Bowie, one of the best athletes the Club has had, who was transferred to Auckland where he is producing excellent times. However, a number of our members are shaping nicely now and we are glad to congratulate Lin Black on winning a place in the Provincial Team against Canterbury.

At the first Dewar Shield meeting 'Varsity did not enter in the Grand Parade, but was represented at the second meeting, on which occasion Mr. Kitto declared the parade 100 per cent. better. The lads in the green and gold blushed becomingly but were unable to deny the truth of this. 'Varsity gained second place for the Shield and was followed by a string of Clubs whose combined score only came to within half a point of ours. Nevertheless, the Club badly needs fields events men, and is big enough to train them. So all physically sound men with aspirations for Tournament honours are urged to come and make friends at the next Saveloy Supper, not to mention the training nights on Kelburn Park, 5 p.m. onward every week night.

And don't forget, Interfaculty Sports on Saturday week!

Water Wings.

Despite adverse weather, the members of the Swimming Club have been putting in steady training during the season, though they have been unable to repeat their spectacular performance of last year in winning the Peck Shield 1½ mile handicap teams' harbour race. Nevertheless this season's team was one of the six only out of 12 to finish, thereby showing the keenness and fitness of our men.

Both A and B Grade water-polo teams have had a successful season, and we are pleased to record in particular the achievements of Mason, captain of the A's. who, in the trial game to select the Wellington Reps., scored 5 out of the total 7 goals secured by both teams, thus decisively playing his way into the Rep. team.

Most of the older members who have been in past tournament teams are ineligible this year, so that there are golden opportunities for new swimmers of both sexes. Extensive trials, particulars of which are posted on the board, are being conducted, so that all who have any pretensions to speed in the water will have an opportunity of being selected.

And don't forget the big social and sporting event of the 1st term -the annual Inter-Faculty Swimming Carnival which will be held at 8.15 p.m. at Thorndon Baths on Wednesday, 10th March!

Boxers are Blossoming.

Roy Brien, complete with gloves, was looking businesslike showing Barney Campbell how to "pick 'em off" when "Smad" sidled up, pencil poised. "The Tournament team's prospects" we cried, and "You shall know all" quoth he, surveying with satisfaction the tired bodies of his perspiring trainees. "Of last year's team O'Conner, Edgley and Armour, the prides of my heart, have all developed a mysterious malady, known as "Boxers' Nose." Meek and Edwards have retired, like Gene Tunney, to their books. Campbell and Barnes are again starters and I expect them both to finish on their feet, Campbell to win. Of newcomers, Walsh will win, while Bowling, Moore, Mander and Millar are good men and true. But put on the gloves and let me try you out!" But "Smad" alas, was not heroic.

Sports Shorts.