1950 Sports Round-Up

Club secretaries are once again wearing cheerful, if not as yet complacent, expressions, as they peruse team-lists and results. From the nether regions of the Football Club, a new phoenix is arising from the ashes of departed glory and soiled headgear. The lower-grade teams contain some of the most promising young players for seasons past. The round ball battlers, i.e., the Soccer Club, as distinguished from the round ball bouncers, to wit the Men's (and Woman's) Basketball Club, have put away their shin-guards in the proud knowledge and anticipation of a season in the "Big Time" next year. This is the result of stern concentration and diligent efforts to bend both walls and roof of the upper gymnasium in regular weekly practices.

The shinny boys and girls, while falling to make sporting history, maintained a good average standard in their respective grades, and produced several prospective representatives.

The tragic loss of a quantity of apparel at the beginning of the year may have had the effect of slightly disconcerting V.U.C.'s blacklegged Amazons of the basketball arena. However, results would seem to show that with a little application, the ladies should be felt next Tournament.

Emboldened by the publicity accorded the Marathon-winner at this year's Empire Games, V.U.C.'s paperchasers, scaled [unclear: maniully], arduously, fruitlessly, but never thirstily, over Wellington's scarred terrain. This club is one which, by virtue of its very activities, brings the Green and Gold Singlet closest to the Wellington public at large. Their large and regular muster at local and provincial runs have made them a force to be reckoned with in harrier competition.

VUC supporters need no reminder of the achievements of their fencing enthusiasts. The artistry, skill and energy which they have brought to bear in many a skirmish, have secured for Victoria a preeminent place in the fencing world. Noticeable too among this club's activities has been the regular attendance at practices and the close attention paid to the coaching of younger members.

The Table Tennis Club played regularly though with perhaps not quite the same dexterity with the little white ball as some of their more seasoned opponents. Their performance at Tournament, however, was extremely heartening, and among other things, was responsible for Salient's wishful headline of two issues back. With an enlarged membership which improved facilities should make possible, this Club should be a decided asset in future intercollegiate clashes.

The "venerable veterans of the mound" as usual in recent years shot their way through thick and thin, haze and alcohol, stale tobacco and piles of used cartridge-cases, to a reverbrating triumph in the Tournamen fusillade. V.U.C. has much to thank this Club for,—practice is often most inconvenient for members since it involves some travelling and expenditure for ammunition. Yet the keenness of members is unmistakeable, and has been a regular source of Tournament points.

So much for the Winter Roundup—the golden mists of summer lie ahead.

Facilities for all summer games are ample at V.U.C.,—well watered lawns, good courts, and a keen Tennis, Cricket and possibly Croquet Club are available. Sporting atmosphere is friendly and new faces are welcomed, freshers are particularly advised to contact Club secretaries early as Tournament representation will depend on enthusiasm and form displayed in the early part of the season.

The aquatic parade Douse regularly at Thorndon (turn right from the Brewery) and with the warmingup of Riddiford Baths, swimming and Polo are sports which are headed for a boom in this locale.

Last year the aquacade was handicapped by too few members, and this Club would particularly welcome any interested people.

Cricket is one field of endeavour in which of late V.U.C. has not been as prominent as in the years when it was producing a regular crop of representative players. Entering teams in several grades of competition, there are places ready and waiting for all students who care to bowl along to practice.

The athletes are a body of men and women for whom Salient has a particularly soft spot. It is with feelings of nostalgia that we recall the trim sweatsuits and lissome grace of our athletic contenders for sporting fame. This season the club is out to capture as many provincial titles as possible, and numbered among its membership are several highly talented athletes who are prepared and willing to encourage and assist beginners at various branches of the sport. The club practises regularly and hopes for an influx of newcomers this season.

The possession of a handsome new shell has encouraged the local oarsmen to hope that sometime within the new realms of the future it will be possible to win at least one major race. In the past the Club has been handicapped by a shortage of capable oarsmen and a predeliction for preracial celebration. But last Easter saw a revival and V.U.C.'s rowing results showed a pleasing upward trend. We feel sure that this season will see our hopes realised, and another source of Tournament points tapped. The club uses the facilities of the Star Boating Club, and is able to offer rowing enthusiasts ample facilities for their sport. Newcomers are very welcome down at the sheds.

For long it has been in the V.U.C. tradition for longhairs, alcoholics, frustrated freshers and university radicals to retreat to the inner mountain fastnesses of the Wellington province for periodical refreshment, reorientation and readjustment to the problems of the age. Our trampers are known far and wide and number within their ranks some of the most experienced climbers and guides in the district. This club is remarkable for the steady level of enthusiasm it has been able to maintain over a long period. Christmas trips are planned to embrace both North and South Islands, and provide an excellent if somewhat strenuous holiday over the Christmas vacation. Throughout the summer months the club maintains a regular schedule of weekend and one-day conditioning trips, especially directed to the seasoning-up of new and inexperienced members. From time to time, epistles are posted on the notice-board, and interested folk are directed to watch out for these advance notes of club activity.

It is traditional for sporting scribes of the College to issue forth a trumpet like moan at periodic intervals directed at the alleged apathy of students. While it is obvious that there are many students who fail to give the support which is due to their clubs, we feel in the pleasant afterglow of a near-loss of the Wooden Spoon, safe to prophesy that a revival of interest is showing itself.

So much for 1950. Sporting enthusiasts may now rush to the Library and find out the name of the New Zealand Prime Minister who rode a Grand National winner at Christchurch whilst in office. There are no prizes.

—J. D. Milburn.