A casual glance at the Tennis Club's notice board the other day revealed the outstanding fact that although 1987-38 season will soon be commencing, the last season's championship events are still uncompleted. Is this duo to inefficient management on the part of the controllers of the events, or is it due to the inertia of the players concerned? The tennis bogey "weather" can hardly be an excuse, as even during this winter there have been days on which the matches could easily have been played. Which is it, inertia or management?

Peculiar contrasts are shown by the Hockey Senior XI. one week they exhibit excellent combination and stick work, and the next week, when everything is in their favour, even to the opposing team being short, they turn on a positively "foul" display. Fickleness cannot apparently be attributed only to woman!

The Senior Rugby game against Wellington showed up the usual weaknesses in Varsity's play, and until these are remedied, the team will not meet with any great success.

Rugby.

The 1st XV played Wellington on a heavy ground and went down by a big margin of points. At time the backs played Rome bright football, but for the most part it was a forward game.

As usual. 'Varsity went straight to the attack, but the game tightened up and for some time a dour forward struggle took place. Play was taken to 'Varsity territory and from a penalty for an infringement, Lang kicked a good foal for Wellington.

Wellington 3, 'Varsity 0.

The University forwards were going well now and forced Wellington down the field. If they could have combined with the backs a score must have resulted, but Dixon relieved the pressure. Harpur was well tackled by Lang after a good run. but a bright passing movement by Wellington took them to the 'Varsity line, where, from a scrum, Harvey went over for Wellington. Lang missed the kick.

Wellington 6. 'Varsity 0.

Wellington were not having everything their own way, and in the loose the 'Varsity forwards, in particular Eade, Burke and Russell, were making Wellington very un-comfortable. Larkin and Dea were bustled by the opposing five-eighths and Wild was cramped. Absurdly weak tackling by 'Varsity let Lang through to open up a movement from which Paterson scored in the corner. Lang's kick dropped short.

Wellington 9, 'Varsity 0.

Wellington nearly got through again, but Buddie, who was playing doggedly on defence, tackled his man well, and backed up by Betts, kept the Wellington invasion out. The 'Varsity forwards carried all before them down the field and Burke scored a good try. Larkin's kick missed.

Wellington 9, 'Varsity 3.

From loose play Edwards ran from half way to score, Buddie making a determined effort to catch him. Lang's kick missed.

Wellington 12. 'Varsity 3.

'Varsity then scored a well-earned try after a fine passing rush in which Eade, Buddie and Larkin figured, Larkin scoring and converting his own try.

Wellington 12, 'Varsity 8.

After half-time, the Wellington backs staged a pretty movement which took Edwards over in the corner, Lang's kick going astray.

Wellington 15, 'Varsity 8.

The 'Varsity forwards took play into the Wellington twenty-five where Buddie took a penalty kick and raised the flags.

Wellington 15. 'Varsity 11.

'Varsity looked like taking the lead when the forwards again broke through, but Russell, after some good work, dropped the ball when on the line. From then on 'Varsity cracked up. The backs did not tackle and Trapp, Paterson and Veitch ran through in turn. Paterson and Veitch both scored and Lang converted one try and kicked a penalty. Both Russell and Harpur retired at a late stage and were replaced by Parker and Kissell.

The final score was:

Wellington 28, 'Varsity 11.

Throughout the game the 'Varsity forwards played well. Meads and Blacker performing yeoman service in the tight, and Burke Eade and Russell shining in the loose. Buddie showed pluck and determination on all occasions but the rest of the backs let the opposition bustle them and run through them almost at will. If the backs could only have tackled in this match, the forwards would have won the game. The backs should get up after their man and put him on the ground, not wait to be drawn and then make feeble efforts at a high tackle. Nevertheless, the spirit seems to be in the team, and before long some one of the other teams is going to get a surprise. The 1st XV has demonstrated its ability to score a decent tally of points in each of its first division games so far, and if only the opposition can be held, a win is inevitable.

Hockey

It is very difficult to report the matches of the Senior XI, they show such remarkable reversals of form from one week to the next. Against the redoubtable Karori B side, the team displayed excellent combined and individual play and forced a draw, one goal all. There were no pronounced weaknesses as there have been in recent games. Benjamin played his soundest game of the season against perhaps the best forward line in the competition. Dixon more than fulfilled the promise he showed as a junior, and some of his clearances would have been creditable even to a more experienced full-back. Banks showed coolness and initiative worthy of a veteran, and broke up many attacks. The re-shuffled half-line went better than they have lately, and certainly had a full share of the play. Against the solidest defence in Wellington club hockey, the forwards played the only game which could possibly win, combining really excellently, and swinging the ball about in great style. Innes, for a change, was given a fair share of the game, and consequently Shaw and Cole, with the defence drawn, made better progress. Struthers on the left wing showed plenty of dash, getting a very smart goal, the ball going in and out of the net so quickly that there was doubt in some quarters as to whether the ball had actually gone in. This doubt, however, was put at rest most emphatically by the Karori goalie. Altogether, it was as far as we were concerned a game "out of the box," and the stickwork and tactics generally, were highly creditable, considering the sodden state of the ground.

Last week, however, in better playing conditions, the team turned on a display that was the very reverse of inspiring, losing to a 10-men Technical side by 6 goals to 2. Individually, our men quite equalled their opponents, but they simply allowed themselves to be bustled into making errors Using the push shot to advantage, Technical just ran our fellows off their feet: a feature which it is to be hoped will teach our team the value of placement and steadiness on attack.

Our defence was time and time again caught out of position, giving the opposing forwards time to put in shots that left the goalie no chance whatever. Robinson, deputising for Newcombe at centre half, was in brilliant form in the first half, his goal being reward for fine anticipation, but lack of condition told in the second half. Eggleton took the ball too far before passing, too often allowing the defence to consolidate round our forwards, when an earlier pass would have found them unmarked. His habit of losing his temper consistently each game is a credit neither to himself nor the team. Innes played his best game of the season, seeing plenty of the ball and turning it to good advantage, though his centred were at times left too late. Cole essayed several unsuccessful shots at goal. His stickwork has been consistently good during the season, and in this game he tried snap-shooting as soon as he neared the circle, which is certainly the best paying game on attack. A trifle more steadiness, and a glance to find direction, would have brought more reward for his efforts. Shaw bustled his way through several times, and scored from a melee near the start of the second half. Struthers was speedy and centred well, but his in-passes too often went begging. Dixon's clearing from a penalty bully was very praiseworthy, and this young player, as he gains experience, will be an invaluable member of the side.

In the junior grades quite bright play was seen. The thirds played a draw with Karori. showing good form. Playing two short, the fourth grade lost, but played well. Bowyer and Wallace showed plenty of dash in the forwards, while Macrae. Dwyer and O'Donnell were solid on defence, the latter in particular, making some excellent saves.