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The Spike [or Victoria University College Review 1954]

Women's Hockey

page 84

Women's Hockey

With the exception of 1951, the years since 1949 have not been very successful ones for the V.U.C. Women's Hockey Club. Yet, despite the lack of success of the teams, each year has seen members of the club awarded V.U.C. Blues and selected for the N.Z.U. team and the Wellington representative teams.

In 1950, with a membership of 63. the club fielded a team in each of the four grades of the local competitions. Mr. Fleet continued his very able coaching of the teams, but none of them distinguished themselves. In July Victoria was host to teams from Massey and Canterbury. The women's A team beat Masscy, the B team lost to Canterbury B team. In the evening Victoria put on a buffet dinner which was followed by a dance in the gym. At Winter Tournament in Dunedin. Victoria came third, beating Auckland and Massey, but losing to Canterbury and Otago. B. Young and G. Francis were selected for the N.Z.U. team, and B. Young, J. Francis and L. Holland were awarded V.U.C. Blues.

Nineteen fifty-one must have been the greatest year in the club's history. For the first, and so far the only, time Victoria won the Pember Reeves Stick at Winter Tournament, which was again held in Dunedin. The team began by drawing with Auckland, then beat Canterbury, and finally, in a very tense and exciting game, just beat Otago 4-3 to break (temporarily) the latter's monopoly of the Stick. Victoria's win was all the greater as both B. Young (the, captain) and J. Young played with sprained ankles. It was a personal triumph for B. Young as Victoria's win was due in no small measure to her inspiring leadership. Her selection as captain of the N.Z.U. team and award of a N.Z.U. Blue were just tribute to her achievement. Also selected for the N.Z.U. team was L. Holland. But it was not only at Winter Tournament that the club was successful, despite the unfortunate fact that Mr. Fleet had to discontinue his coaching of the team about half way through the season because of the unavailability of a practice ground. The A team was third equal in the senior A grade, several members of each team were selected for the representative trials, and the A team reached the final of their section in the King's Birthday seven-a-side tournament. The annual game with Massey, played at Massey, was won by Victoria. A B team visited Canterbury and although they did not win either of their very wet games, they had a most enjoyable time. B. Young. L. Holland, J, Young, A. page 85 Wellwood and J, Francis were awarded V.U.C. Blues.

The club's achievements in 1952 were rather a contrast to the successes of 1951. There was a decrease in membership to fifty-two and only three teams were fielded. None of them were very successful, but several players were chosen for the Wellington representative teams. At Tournament, Victoria failed to retain the Pember Reeves Stick, beating Canterbury, but losing to Auckland and Otago. L. Holland was chosen as vice-captain of the N.Z.U. team and A. Wellwood was an emergency. Unfortunately, neither Massey nor Canterbury were able to send teams to Wellington. L. Holland, R. Baird, P. Simmers, and A. Wellwood were awarded V.U.C. Blues.

Nineteen fifty-three saw a further decrease in membership but three teams were again fielded. The club was very fortunate in having Mrs. I. Lamason as coach. At Tournament, in Auckland, Victoria again came third, beating Auckland but losing to Otago and Canterbury. R. Baird and M. Bertrand were selected for the N.Z.U. team. Several players were selected for the Wellington representative teams, and R. Baird, M. Bertrand, P. Simmers and W. Penman were awarded College Blues.

This year the club is again fielding three teams, the membership being the same as last year. So far the A team has been unsuccessful, but the senior B and junior teams are doing very well, both having several wins to their credit.