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The Year's Sport in Review

A general survey of the sporting year at V.U.C. is not a record of glorious achievement. There has been, during the last three or four years, a general low standard throughout all branches of sport in the College, and despite the earnest hope of everyone, the future is not indicative of a general improvement.

In dealing with sporting activities so far as V.U.C. is concerned, we are apt to look only to the Tournament events and to take no notice of those sports which are not included in the Tournament programme. Viewed in this light the year has been indeed disastrous, nor can it be said to be merely a lapse in this year, for we have successfully competed for the Tournament Wooden Spoon for the last three years. Certainly it was a clean sweep for V.U.C. this year, but what of the other three?

It seems that V.U.C. is at present "Wooden Spoon Minded" and that there is an inferiority complex evident throughout the whole College. There is also a general apathy towards College activities—not only in the sports club, but throughout. We urge all students to forget the wooden spoon, to take an interest in all activities at the Old Clay Patch, and to get rid of this influence which exerts itself, perhaps subconsciously.

Looking at the position broadly, however, it will be found that although the standard is not high, it is a good average. For instance, the Football Club is well placed in the Club Championship and after all this is the only true method of judging the strength of any particular club. We should regard, not the performances of the senior team or of any individual, but the performances of all teams or individuals. We have not the athletic stars of some years ago, but the Smiths and Browns may develop into Owenses if strict attention is paid to training.

And yet in this galaxy of what may be called mediocrity, there are a few bright spots. For the first time for several years, V.U.C. has produced an international cricketer in J. A. R. Blandford who played in two tests against M.C.C. His 40 in the second Test when with Roberts he saved the day for New Zealand, was an excellent debut into first-class cricket. The Swimming Club in open competition won the Peck Shield for the Harbour Swim. The Football Club has also annexed another championship—the W.R.F.U.'s Third Grade C Championship for the third year in succession. These at least are something.

And so another year has passed.