Looking back over the 'Varsity's sporting activities this year we find that the College has been particularly successful in outside events. Not only has the Dixon Trophy been annexed but also the Rowing, Haslam, and Basketball Shields. The acquisition of these coveted trophies is no mean feat, and it definitely shows that the standard of sport is high at the College. A few have attained representative honours and wih these as an example "Smad" is confident that in the 1938 season the name of "Victoria University" will be once again "on the map" in the realm of sport.

Harriers Achieve Ambition.

The New Zealand University Cross Country Championships have come and gone, but the Dixon Trophy is left with Victoria. The individual title went to Canterbury but the uniformly high standard of the Victoria University College team brought over four men home in the first seven. Excellent conditions favoured the runners this year — a change from previous occasions.

Harriers.

The run was held at Lyall Bay and the course proved to be difficult with much sand and road. The field soon straggled out with Stephenson, Scrymgeour and Rogers fighting for top places, and Cairns, Horsley and Bagnall keeping well up to them. The second lap around the golf links found the positions throughout the race, but except that Stephenson (last year's individual winner) had dropped back. The last mile of fiat road is a severe test of a runner's staying power. It was on this stretch that the Victorian team showed their superiority by maintaining their position and blocking well together in the best team work the Club has yet achieved. Scrymgeour and Rogers had fought out positins throughout the race, but it was near the tape that the superior racing experience of Rogers (Canterbury Provincial Champion) was finally proved. Scrymgeour challenged a little too early and could not maintain his sprint, allowing Rogers to pull away slightly in an exciting finish. Adamson of C.U.C. ran third, then the solid teaming by Victoria brought Horsley, Cairns, Bagnall, and Burge in 4th, 5th. 7th, and 8th places respectively. So V.U.C. proved the winners with 18 points to Canterbury's 25, with Auckland and Otago in 3rd. and 4th. places. The G. F. Dixon Trophy ("The Beacon") was presented by the donor at the dinner the same night. That this year's team is the best the Club has produced so far was demonstrated a week later when they secured 3rd. place in the Wellington Province against larger and far more experienced clubs. But for the strenuous race the previous Saturday they would easily have wiped off the nine points that kept them from second place.

Form Through the Year.

Each of the last three seasons has seen one member of the Cub stand out from all the rest. Bagnall, Cairns, and Scrymgeour have now each assumed supremacy, and curiously enough occupied approximately the same position In the Province. Scrymgeour has by steady training and dogged running well deserved his title to the Club Championship for 1937.

Horsley, considering that nearly all the organisation and responsibility lay on his shoulders, gave a remarkably fine performance on the Big Day.

Some of the new members are coming along strongly. Burge, O'Flynn, Newall, and Farquhar (with more training and less potatoes) should be the runners of future seasons. The last three forced one another in the 8 mile handicap on Saturday, Newall taking the Endeavour Cup. Given the nucleus of fast men, a good crowd to idle along, and build up stamina in the slow packs the Club can look forward to another active season next year.

Hockey.

The slackening in keenness of the Senior Team is again very much in evidence this year, and the last two games in the Wellington competition series have resulted in substantial losses. While the lack of interest in the closing stages of the season is to be deprecated it is perhaps only natural that in a University XI the main consideration is the Inter-University Tournament. After this has taken place there remains little in the season's activities to maintain the interest. This surely is a mistaken outlook, for it has very prejudicial effects on hockey at V.U.C., and for the Club's sake should not be allowed to continue.

Fortunately this year we have had exceptionally keen junior members in the Club, and the flagging spirit has not affected them. It is largely this lack of interest that prevents us from having a larger representation in the Wellington provincial team. Newcombe was our only representative in major fixtures this year, and his selection should be sufficient proof that unflagging enthusiasm has its reward.

While, however, the attraction of the Tournament ranks so high, it could surely be held later in the season. "Smad" suggests that the second term vacation would be a better date than the first term vacation, when it was held this year. While holding Tournaments so late would have its disadvantages, it would at least have the effect of maintaining the interest of all teams in the game until the end of the season. This would he sufficient warranty for the adoption of the proposal.

Congratulations are extended to O'Donnell and Bowyor on being selected for the Wellington fourth grade representatives. It was very pleasing to see their keenness thus rewarded. We also congratulate Newcombe on leading the Wellington reps, to victory in the match with Canterbury.

In view of their consistent performances during the latter part of the season, the Juniors challenged the Senior B. Team. The game was played last Saturday at Kilbinie, and resulted in a win for the Juniors by 2 goals to 1 The ground was in excellent order, and some good play was shown on both sides, but the better combination won. The Senior B. forwards lacked finish in the circle, and though they had perhaps more opportunities than the Juniors, goals were not forthcoming. Players who merit promotion are Good. Sand ford, Purdie, Silcott, and Walker. For the Senior B's, Long, Christie and Mason played good games.

Of the five teams entered in the Wellington Hockey Association's Competitions, the Juniors and 3rd. Graders finished in the top four teams of their respective grades. The former had the distinction of losing no games in the second round of matches, and a better start to the season would have seen them the probable winners. The Seniors failed in their promise of early in the season, and fell from third to fifth place. The Senior B. and Fourth Grade teams did not win as many matches as expected, but individual members of both teams gave distinct promise of progressing to higher grade hockey.

Rugby.

Auckland v. Victoria.

In a keenly contested game at Athletic Park last Saturday Victoria defeated an Auckland University Fifteen by 10 to 8. An opening by Dean sent Burke over to score for Victoria and Larkin converted. The half-time score was Auckland 8, Victoria 5.

In the second spell our forwards rejuvenated and the backs were given plenty of the ball. After a nice run by Stewart who scored (Larkin converted) the score stood at Victoria 10, Auckland 8. The score was unchanged at the end of the game.

Ruru Memorial Shield Match.

The annual match for the Ruru Memorial Shield between Weir House and the Rest ended in a big victory for the latter by 34 to 9. The game was fast and willing, and although on the whole the Rest were superior in every department, having a majority of Senior A players Weir put up a dour struggle. Weir's pack did not appear to be able to hold their opponents and Burke got the ball out regularly. Wild inaugurated some nice passing movements in his usual style and Weir's centre also played a good game. Weir's nine points came from throe penalty tries kicked by Turnbull and Larkin. For Victoria Stewart, Dean, Betts, Wild, Clendon, Kissell Dean, Betts, Wild. Clendon. and Kissell brought the score up to 34.

The Haka Party livened proceedings up during the match, and revived many a flagging "spirit." An amusing "interlude" was the World's Championship Bout for puglistic honours. "Joe Louis" won by a technical knockout from "Tommy Farr" but the former had to beat a quick retreat owing to difficulties concerning underwear, etc.