The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1931

[introduction]

His limbs were east in manly mould
For hardy sports and contests bold.

—Scott (Lady of the Lake)

Although the Club has suffered a few disappointmen's this year, and a casual observer may be forgiven for assuming that it is not up to the usual standard, a careful examination of the facts will lead to an opposite conclusion. From the point of view of "a club" there has seldom been a more successful year. If the reader will take the trouble to glance at the Easter Tournament results it will be seen that practically every member of the team gained at least one point towards the Athletic Shield. This is quite unusual, as, in the past it has been common for one or two brilliant athletes to gain all the points, the rest of the team being "also rans." This fact can be attributed very largely to the conscientious efforts of B. B. Allen, who has been our trainer this season.

In the Provincial meetings, although the "green singlets" were always conspicuous, the Club did not collect its usual number of titles. This was due to the fact that most of our past "stars" have been laid aside either temporarily or permanently. The only members who "showed up" in the Provincial Championships were Doug. Barker, who won the long jump, and F. H. Stevenson, who pulled off the 100 yards Junior. Unfortunately the former was not given an opportunity to compete for the New Zealand title, of which he was the holder. F. H. Stevenson was successful in winning the 100 yards Junior at the New Zealand Championships and great things are expected of him in the future.

It was unfortunate that, owing to an operation, Stan. Ramson was unable to take part in athletics until the Inter-Faculty Sports. However, like a cork, Stan. is always on top, and his name is again being engraved on the Oram Cup for the highest aggregate at Inter-Faculty, this time in conjunction with that of Colin Watt. It has been a good thing for the Club in one respect that we have not had our usual number of "cracks," as it has meant that the younger runners have had to "do their stuff" and thus gain valuable experience which they would not otherwise have obtained.

The fact that the Inter-Faculty Sports were held this year at Newtown Park, instead of Kelburn Park, as usual, caused a good deal of comment. The change was necessitated by an oversight on the part of the Parks and Reserves Office. Our reservation was not properly recorded and as a result Kelburn Park was allocated to the Wellington Cricket Association. An important match, which could not be played elsewhere, had been arranged before the error was discovered, hence we had to accept the only ground available. However, in spite of the distance from town, there was a good attendance of students and their friends. detailed results of the sports are as follows:—

100 yards: J. N. Goodson, 1; R. T. Street, 2; D. W. A. Barker, 3.

200 yards: J. N. Goodson, 1; D. W. A. Barker, 2; R. T. Street, 3.

440 yards: J. C. Watt, 1; J. B. Stevenson, 2; J. R. Bennell, 3.

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