Football.

The first game has been duly played and "Smad" is thankful to be able to report a win, 13-10. To "Smad," the game was very disappointing. The team will have to improve considerably if it is going to be promoted at the end of the first round. We all realise that the players are not yet 100 per cent fit and that the backs have not had a chance to develop a good combination, but that is not good enough. Other teams Are fit for the first games and, though we win by 40 and 50 points in the second round, it is no consolation at all as promotion depends on these first games. The 1st XV. simply cannot afford to lose a single game in the first round, and, judging by Saturday's results, there is going to be some strong opposition in the grade. It seemed to "Smad" that the fault on Saturday was in the forwards. With all due respects to the referee, Pirates always had at least two men who were standing off-side on top of our backs, yet the balance of their pack pushed our forwards all round the ground. When a Pirate forward got into a scrum he pushed every ounce he had and six or five men pushing thus more than held their own against our eight Saturday's game should be a lesson in hard scrummaging to our pack if nothing else. Burke was hooking well and made some runs which gained a lot of ground. Redwood was a toiler all the way, and he saved the side on numerous occasions. He is the one fit man in the team. Blacker was in all the tight stuff and got through a surprising amount of work in the open. A forward who showed well in the line-out was Meades. He is a good type who should develop well. Eade is playing as well as ever. He took a chance on matrimonial bliss last week and "Smad" watched him with particular interest to see if there was anything in the rumours usually associated with newly-weds. If Stan, is anything to go by "Smad" has no hesitation in saying the rumour is unfounded and would go further and suggest the whole pack got married. One or two have been shaping that way for some time, anyway.

It is rather hard to say much about the backs: there was a tricky cross wind and that, with the slope of the ground, made conditions difficult. Hoy did not start off confidently, but he improved as the game progressed, fielding the ball beautifully at the end. The three-quarter line was good. Stewart is a strong, hard runner, and is going to be an asset to the team. Kissell is fast and runs with a deceptive swerve: you might describe him as the "eel type." Wild is playing better than last year: he is making more use of his speed and playing with confidence. At half, Buddle was pestered all day by the aforementioned off-side forwards, consequently his passes were not always to the liking of Larkin, Also, the black pack came through ours onto him making his task difficult Larkin did not get much of a chance, but he must learn to send the ball on smartly as he has four men outside who are quick to find openings and have the speed to take advantage of them. The star back, Reid, scored two beautiful tries, but the ball did not come out fast enough to make full use of him. He got through a lot of defensive work, but otherwise he did not get many opportunities. On the whole "Smad" is quite satisfied that the backs have plenty of talent, but the forwards will have to do some solid training. The try scored by Stewart showed what a determined three-quarter line we have, and it was what you might call a real try for a wing. It is very fortunate that Pirates did not have any good backs to finish off the hard work of the forwards.

In conclusion, "Smad" would like to join all footballers in wishing Stan Eade all the luck in the world in his future life. We hope he will still be one of the boys and that conubial bliss will not occupy all his time. "Well done, thou good and faithful friend."

League Meeting—a Failure.

At a very poorly attended meeting last week, supporters gathered to discuss the question of the formation of a University Rugby League Club. Mr. M. Mason, in the chair, explained his position as chairman, stating that his presence there was one of purely convenience, and that if another chairman could be found, he would willingly vacate in favour of the latter. A motion of no-confidence in the chair was moved and lost.

Mr. W. T. Holland, vice-president of New Zealand Rugby League, spoke at great length, propounding the main principles of the game, and the difficulties with which League is faced. His explanation of the "League Bogey" Professionalism were convincing, and evoked little comment from the audience.

It was moved by Sheehan, seconded by Sanford, "That a Victoria Football Club be formed." The motion was carried without a dissentient voice. The chairman pointed out that the club could not apply for affiliation to the Students' Association until it had twenty playing members. A motion, "That a provisional committee be formed to further the activities of the club," was carried unanimously.

Summing up, an air of apathy pervaded throughout the meeting, and the much advertised opposition from the Rugby Union Club failed to materialise.

Prospects—men's Hockey.

In view of competition matches commencing on May 1, hockey practices began at Karori Park in earnest last Saturday. Membership of the club is lower with Training College now playing under their own colours, but there is a promising contingent of new members. There will probably be five teams from the club this year, possibly six. Five of last year's senior team are playing again. Abraham. Newcombe, Shaw, Innes and Johnston. Shaw should be very valuable as centre-forward, always showing plenty of dash and powerful shooting in the circle. Newcombe in the halves and Abraham as full-back, both N.Z.U. blues, will give the benefit of experience to the team and build up some sound tactics. The club is fortunate in having some new members with reputations in senior hockey in other centres; these include Ives and Cole (Christchurch), Ballantyne (Hutt), MacMurray (Palmerston) and Struthers (Otago). It will be interesting to see if any of these can gain places in the senior team. Others who are in the running for places in the senior team include Kean, Oram, Long, Dixon, Evans, Pickering, McIntosh and Orams.

Henry Abraham, the club, captain, has sound ideas on training and on coaching lower grade teams and assisted by Newcombe and Shaw has already begun mid-week practices. There was a very good turn-out on Saturday, over fifty being present. Consistent training will be necessary to get combination into the teams, but the material seems to be there. More points are looked for from the lower teams if University is to get near the club championship, and the thirds and fourths may manage something in this respect this year.

Tennis.

Past v. Present Students.

"Smad" arrived (carrying two spare overcoats) to report the Past v. Present match in time to hear a lot of banter concerning which side Ferkins was on. The Club Chairman expecting to see Russell Young strolling round the corner at any moment, refused to be drawn into the risk of tossing and contented himself with idly jingling the double-headers so useful in augmenting the executive petty cash when occasion demands.

We thoroughly enjoyed the after-noon. It was good to hear Mr. Batten at the net as Mr. Eichelbaum was serving: "That'll be the usual love 40, I suppose, and Col. Beere giving Dr. Stout beans for not achieving the impossible. The present students were, by comparison, very quiet and well behaved.

"Smad" found time to sample the excellent afternoon tea admirably served by Marjorie Palmer-Brown. The Past Students were in good form during the adjournment and, it being Extrav. time, made many uncomplimentary remarks anent the Extravs. of early days in an attempt to get bites from their captain, Mr. Eichelbaum, in his day the prince of versifiers. He, however, was not to be drawn—from bitter experience he knew that the two inseparables Beer(e) and Stout expected a speech and were determined to get it. Nut a fair go at all. They got one then and another Inter when, at the close of play, the Past Students' captain presented the Eichelbaum Challenge Cup to the Club Chairman to be held until next year. Definitely a successful afternoon.

The detailed results are:—

L. Sandford and R. McL Forking beat N. Foden and II. Burns, 6-2, 5 6, 8-6; J. Hartley and B. Brock beat C. Evans-Scott and T. Foden, 6-5, 6-3; H. Sivyer and R. Thawley beat H. Putnam and A. C. W. Mantell-Harding, 6-3, 6-3; E. Budge and P. Pasley beat R. St. J. Beere and Dr. Stout, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3; K. McNaught and W. Mitchell lost to S. Eichelbaum and C. Batten, 2-6, 4-6; J. Hartley and B. Brock lost to N. Foden and H. Burns, 5-6, 4-6; L. Sandford & R. Ferkins beat C. Evans-Scott and T. Foden, 6-2, 6-1; H. Sivyer and R. Thawley beat R St. J. Beere and Dr. Stout, 6-5, 6-3; E. Budge and P. Pasley beat S. Eichelbaum and C. Batten 2-6, 6-5. 6-3; K. McNaught and W. Mitchell lost to H. Putnam and A. C. W. Mantell-Harding, 5-6, 2-6.

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