Athletics.

Would You Believe It? We Have A Chance This Year!

Mister Birks (an it please you) had some of his gloom of last Saturday when approached by "Smad." It would be exaggerating to say that he was bubbling over, but he was as near to that slate as his dignity as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand would allow.

What about the Discus?—Mason is definitely good, and should throw over 100 feet. One of our best prospects.

Shot Put?—Bowling: is capable of 35 feet and should show up in the places.

Javelin—Thos. wasn't so enthusiastic here.

440 Hurdles.—This brightened 'Thos. up again and he reached lyrical heights. "Our best prospect." "A certainty, especially as Ball, of A.U.C. is reported to be stale." It seems that the shirt (or substitute there for) may be entrusted to K.J.M.

220 Hurdles.—Much in the same strain,

100 Hurdles.—Not so hot.

1 Mile.—If Boot doesn't start, Black should be good for first place.

(Thos. did not say what is likely to happen if Boot does start.)

Half Mile.—The same applies (This is getting serious!)

3 Miles.—Scrimgeour is a good determined runner, but he has not the stride of Robinson. He should show up for a place. (With characteristic diplomacy, "Smad" refrained from asking, "What place?")

440 yards.—Bowyer should go well, but he will be matched against the redoubtable Watt (O.U.), the All Black flyer. "So What?"

No answer from Mr. B.

. .220 yards.—Bowyer and Robinson are both good, but Watt is in this, too. (Stop laughing, you cads; this is serious!)

100 yards.—A very deep depression is approaching. If you have a shirt at the end of the day, use it for clothing purposes, as the Hundred apparently does not warrant a plunge. Thos. looked very gloomy.

Summing up then, we (i.e. Thos. and his stalwarts) have a fair chance In the Discus and the Hurdles (except the 120) while the mile and half-mile are a bit up in the air. Things won't be so good in the Javelin and Shot Put or the three miles, but we should get places in these and the flat events.

In all. then, we have letter prospects than last year.

To encourage Thos, "Smad" asked him about prospects for next year's Tournament. This brightened him up a lot. "We have great prospects. We have . . ."

(Aw, who the hell cares about next year's tournament now?)

Rowing.

The final selection of the eight has been made, and the crew has been getting in some solid work over the last two weeks. Present indications show that while the crew is very keen, the two newcomers to the game are having a little difficulty. An eight is so much faster than a four, and the "feel" of the boat different, that these men may find three miles a fairly hard task. However, they are keen and keenness will over-come many difficulties. The main cause for complaint is probably in the stroke. He has had no experience in the stroke seat, and many a race has been won by sheerly his tactics. Either Hansen or Broad, both good oarsmen and with practical experience, would have been a better choice. The crew rowed at Petone over the week-end, and a casual glance shows that more attention should be paid to timing and to pulling the blade right through to the finish. This "washing out" should be stopped. The two best men in the boat are Bowling and Hansen, with Broad and Burge rowing nice sticks. Provided stroke can overcome his tendency to rush forward when increasing the rate of stroking, the crew should be well up. Rushing the slide is a common fault, and the sooner it is learnt that it is speed through the water and not speed coming forward that counts, the better.

Once-Over on Pugs.

"Smad" removes the hat and Offers congratulations to Bowling, G A. Dandy, Eric Miller, Ryan, Kent, Walsh, and Campbell, the mit-merchants who have been chosen to represent V.U.C. at tourney.

Anyhow, are we are going to get rid of this wooden spoon.

Look at those names and decide for yourself.

"Smad" ses "Yes." As far as boxing goes. Emphatically Yes! Our boys are the good this year and will take a power of stopping. The respective champs, were in good fettle at V.U.C. Tourney, but with a little extra training Roy Brian will have his team in the pink of condition.

"Smad" stumbled across that boxing stalwart Edgley; he had a glint in his eve and was wringing his hands triumphantly the way Bob usually does.

"Ryan and Kent are certs," he said, "So's Sef. Walsh, but he's got a tough Canterbury man whose got a kick like a mule in both left and right."

However, the "Pahiatua Queen" is a hot favourite, and should have no difficulty in taking the scientific cup. Local fans who saw Walsh in action at the Show Stadium will realise that he is the goods. Showmanship probably detracted from his display, but he was never extended during the whole evening, and "coasted" to take both his matches. This lad has a polish above Varsity class.

"Smad" puts its shirt on the favourite.

With the Feather crown a month, next chance lies in Kent, the light-weight, who will take a power of beating: a two-handed puncher with a good working knowledge of the ring, he was easily the best in his class. Kent's consistency and fitness should take the lightweight title for V.U.C.

It seems unfortunate that Pat Kane will not be with the team. I hear that he was in great fettle and would have gone far.

However, we have a worthy rep. in Ryan, a two-handed fighter who never knows when he's beaten—nurse that eye, Ryan, or there may be no Tourney bull! "Smad" classes you as third favourite.

Eric Miller, the Middle champ., is aggressive and hard-punching. A little extra polish will see him well up to standard. Eric was very modest about the whole affair, but he packs a solid punch and has an excellent chance of winning on a k.o. His inexperience may go against him. On the other hand, Miller's as fit as a buck rat, and it'll take a good 'un to go the distance with him.

The outsider in the field is G. A. (Tiger) Dandy who carries a thumping wallop in both hands, more he has seen a good deal of the ring and puts over some polished infighting.

Let's hope the fighting spirit of the Dandys will come up to win the Light-Heavy crown for V.U.C. "Smad" is anticipating a purseful on the outsider, Bowling, the Heavy aspirant, who has a hardhitting aggressive style and a nice turn of speed for a heavy.

Watch that guard, though, Bowling, or you might be going aloft.

Barney Campbell is as fit as a fiddle and should go very close to a Bantam title. Barney, the diminutive heavy is in good trim, and "Smad" wishes the little man all the best.

Basketball Hopes

Short Pars on Players.

Stella Phillips.—Captain —good, reliable player—best on defence.

Marion Bell.—Intercepts well—good defender; enthusiastic.

Nora McLaren.—Stalwart player—steady passer—always "on the spot."

Nancy Bullen.—Good on defence opportunist.

Janet Granger.—Field work brilliant.

Sylvia Hefford.—Last year's fresher makes good.

Joy Osborn.—Has a big advantage—height.

Eric Overton.—Good interceptor—versatile—brilliant defence.

R. Drummond.—Stalwart player.

Sheila Eraser and Jane Withers (Emergencies).— Reliable.

Prospects.—Look bright—team full of beans—should make three points in Shield—well up to previous Tournament standard—"Smad" confident.

Swimming Team.

Congratulations

"Smad" congratulates our Senior Scholars:—Peter Wells, Bill Combs, Don Currie, and H. Jackson. May they carry on the good work.

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The Tennis Reps.

Dorothy Briggs.—Our most experienced and bent singles player. Plays a very good game from the backline. Has just recovered from a relapse of form and should be at her best at Christchurch, and therefore hard to beat in the singles.

Stella Phillips.—Has not the some easy strokes as Dorothy Briggs but is extremely determined and has overcome the limitations usually imposed by awkward strokes, and in a match especially, she gets there. Her footwork is not good enough for a player of her class.—sometimes not quick enough off the mark. Experienced in singles tactics—at present tops the Club ladder. A better grip for volleying might overcome a certain diffidence in taking the net in doubles play.

Janet Grainger.—Athletic and plays with plenty of vim. Has many interests and so usually finds herself at Tournament time without quite sufficient practice to be able to guarantee the easy ones. More at home at the net than any other of the ladies, and consequently selected to play first in both doubles. Good at volleying and smashing and well able to hold her own in a mixed; in a ladies' double is a little too prone to take the centre of the court. Is proving a very effective partner for Morrison and has a great chance of winning an N.Z. Blue.

Kathleen Pears.—Playing her first Tournament and consequently not so experienced as any of the three just mentioned. Her strokes lack puce at present, but she has a useful backhand and is quiet and businesslike on the Courts. If she gets on her toes more, the weight of her body will give extra momentum to her strokes. Will benefit from the experience at Tournament.

Marjorie Palmer-Brown.—A considerably improved player—also playing in her first Tournament. Plays with plenty of confidence and puts kick into her shots, some of which, however, are faulty. Plays too many of her strokes with her feet at right angles to the net. At present making strenuous efforts to correct a tendency to foot fault.

N. A. Morrizon.—The captain and star performer of the team. Only one previous effort at Tournament, but has played in many open tournaments with good results. A first-class doubles player who excels in a mixed. Service is not particularly forceful, but is well controlled and accurately placed—ground strokes serviceable but not varied—very good overhead—excellent at volleying—watch "the smile on the face of the tiger" as he dexterously wins the point by a well-manipulated stop voley. Has a chance in the singles and is right out for the mixed title.

H. J. Hartley.—One of the "finds" of the season. Has climbed from bottom of the ladder to third place. Not very big, but has wonderful vitality, and plays a very sparkling game with stylish strokes. Not yet in the top class, but improving all the time. Could treat his opponents' "high stuff" with a little more respect.

W. Brock.—A considerably improved player. Is too keen to finish off a point and so walks into all the traps for young players. Inclined to be erratic especially with his overhead work, concerning which one thinks of the saying, ending: "where angels fear to tread."

H. S. Sivyer.—Has had an off season and Is only now approaching the form which gained him a place in last year's team. A lefthander with a reach yards long. Very determined and fights to the last ditch. Perhaps takes the game too seriously. Seems to worry about his partner's mistakes as well as his own.

R. Thawley.—An easy-going, unconcerned player who backs up very well, and deals coolly with fast ones and "wrong 'uns." Does not concentrate sufficiently for any length of time. With a little more "tennis" ambition is capable of improving considerably.