RIVAL COLOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 22, 18 April 1927, Page 9

RIVAL COLOURS

VARSITY TOURNEY SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP MANY AUCKLAND SUCCESSES The high traditions of University sport are being upheld in Auckland in the inter-Varsity tournament now in progress. Good winners and game losers, the students have applause for the other fellow, as well as for their own. Loyalty dominates the proceedings, but it is the loyalty of the true sportsman, not of the biased partisan.

The fluctuating fortunes of the tournament engagements leave the destination of the shield still uncertain, Canterbury holds the shield, and is defending it grimly against vigorous challengers, Auckland and Otago having already caused last year’s premier university to suffer severe setbacks. Much depended on the athletic sports conducted on the Domain to-day, and fresh issues are involved in the debating contest, to be held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night, and in the tennis finals, to be decided at Stanley Street to-morrow. FERVOUR OF SUPPORTERS While victory is not the primary consideration among those engaged in the tournament, which is more to let rival students mingle and fraternise than to supply a basis for material competition, there is in each of the four universities the ambition to see its representatives win. Consequently the enthusiasm of the supporters excites almost as much attention as the feats of the performers and players. At the boxing tournament on Saturday night, when the successes of the evening were shared by Auckland and Otago, the alternating victories were the signal for triumphant war cries, songs, hakas, and outbursts of cheering. Victor and vanquished released a flood of fervour after each fight, and it was altogether a refreshing and entertaining business. On Saturday the activities covered were cricket (unofficial), tennis, boxing and rowing, also unofficial. Today the basketball matches were decided, and on the Domain were staged the athletic sports, which attracted a fine attendance of onlookers, and revealed the existence of a wealth of talent among the university representatives. CONCLUDING EVENTS Further items in the programme are to-night’s debate and to-morrow’s tennis. Outside the official events, which constitute the business of the tournament, are a number of pleasant entertainments, and other engagements. Yesterday a large crowd of visitors was taken for a motor drive, and in the evening the students, as a body, attended a service at St. Matthew’s Church. Throughout the tournament, except on Sunday, the Auckland University College hall has been open for dancing, and at the students’ block the visitors and their hosts have gathered in friendly informality. To-morrow a grand tournament ball will be h*ld at Scots Hall, Symonds Street, and on Wednesday a mock reception and tournament—to be invested with characteristic student humour—will bring the programme to a mirthful conclusion.

HASLAM SHOOTING SHIELD AUCKLAND WINS AGAIN This year Is the fourth in succession in which Auckland University College has won the Haslam Shield for rifleshooting. The teams from each college fired the practices at their home centres, the results being handed in on the arrival of the Southern tournament delegates at Auckland. The four practices fired by each team were: (1) Application at 200yds; (2) snapshooting at 200yds; (3) rapid fire at 300yds; (4) application at 500yds. Results are as follows: Auckland, 178, 136, 296, 216 —total 826; Otago, 171, 123, 259, 224 —total 777; Canterbury, 171, 131, 240, 210—total 761. In the rapid fire practice, the Auckland team did particularly well, gaining a lead of 37 points from Otago, its nearest competitor in this class. The highest individual score was registered by K. P. Tompkins, of Otago, whose total was 114. By winning the shield, and three of the four practices, Auckland lias secured four points towards the tournament shield, while Otago, which won the fourth gains one point. A proposal that in future Haslam Shield contest*- teams should consist of four members instead of eight, and that the teams should travel with the other delegates to the centre at which the tournament is being held, war. discussed by the New Zealand University Tournament Committee. It was decided that the proposal was i, practicable owing to the fact that the fixture would clash with important Easter group meetings. VICTORIA WINS

VARSITY BOAT RACE POWERFUL WELLINGTON CREW The second attempt at despatching the inter-varsity boat race on Saturday resulted, as was reported in the SUN sports edition, in a clean-cut win for Victoria College, "Wellington. Soon after the start of the first attempt the Auckland crew had swamped in choppy water in mid-harbour. Subsequently a more sheltered course was chosen, the start being in Orakei basin and the finish in the lee of the embankment wall at Campbell’s Point. Once again the Wellington crew got the worst of the start, but nevertheless asserted its superiority early in the proceedings. The Aucklanders rowed with neatness and precision, while in contrast the methods of the visitors were laborious. But when the Wellington boat began to forge steadily ahead there was left no doubt as to the crew’s sLiperiority. AH four blades hit the water together, and the fiery catch and vigorous leg-drive sent the boat along swiftly. With half the course covered Wellington led by three lengths, and in the closing stages increased the lead. Both crews finished well in calm water, but Auckland could make little impression on the leaders, who won by five or six lengths. The crews were:—Victoria College: D. Gray (str.) 11.2; J. Platts-Mills (3), 12.6; F. Crease (2), 11.8; F. Mullins (bow), 11.5. Auckland University College: W. J. Lowe (str.), 11.7; L. Brooker (3), 12.8; C. T. Keegan (2), 11.8; C. H. Hunt (bow), list. The officials were: Umpire. Dr. Horton; judges, Professor Algie. Mr. A. -A. Lucas; starters, Messrs. E. H. Buckler, W. Madden; timekeeper, Professor Burbidge. The crews rowed in thei** university colours. Wellington their own oars and an Auckland Rowing Club's boat, and Auckland used a boat and equipment belonging to the Waitemata Club.

BOXING FINALS ENTERTAINING FIGHTS AUCKLAND AND OTAGO TIE The boxing championships held in connection with the twenty-third New Zealand inter-university tournament were concluded on Saturday night before an audience composed mostly of students. The boxing was of a very high standard, some of the competitors revealing a good knowledge of the finer points of the game. A medal, donated by the mayor, Mr. George Baildon, to be awarded to the most scientific boxer at the tournament, was won by V. C. Rickard, Auckland. The competition for the boxing shield resulted in a tie between Auckland and Otago. Three exhibition no-decision bouts were included on the programme, the participants being F. Taylor, New Zealand bantam-weight champion, and R. Wilson; F. Fraei and W. Duncan; J. Amos, a Canterbury amateur, and E. Mack. Mr. Frank Burns acted as referee and Mr. W. E. Dervan as announcer. The results are as follow: Bantam-weight. —V. C. Rickard, Auckland, Sst. 51b., beat W. McAlevey, Otago, Sst. 51b. This was a very good fight. Rickard started well, using straight lefts and rights, while the Otago man employed a left hook. McAlevey was elusive at times, but he spoiled his work by swinging wildly and not placing his punches. Rickard was the better man and received the decision. Feather-weight. —D. N. Ferguson, Otago, 9st. 21b., beat W. E. Wilson, Victoria, Sst. lib. A light all the way. Ferguson was very aggressive and kept Wilson covering up. Wilson used his right well in the second session. The third saw Ferguson connecting freely, the gong saving the Wellingtonian. Half way through the last round the fight was stopped to save Wilson from further punishment'. Though outclassed, the loser made a very game showing. Light-weight. —R. T. Henderson, Auckland, 9st. lOj&lb., beat G. B. Richardson, Victoria, 9st. 82;lb. Henderson, a boy with a nice style, used his left well, though he was inclined to paw instead of punch. Richardson used a good defence to advantage, and occasionally uncoiled to let go half a dozen blows. The last round was Richardson’s by a wide margin, but Henderson’s lead, established in the previous sessions, gave the Aucklander the decision. Welter-weight. — L. Cotter, Otago, 10st., beat D. G. Grant, Canterbury, lOst. 81b. After an uninteresting first round Cotter set a fast pace, but Grant fought back until dropped by a right. He was up immediately and, though dazed, lasted out the round. Each was now looking for a knock-out, and taking it in turn to make the pace. In the final session both men were groggy. Cotter finished the better and received the award. Middle-weight. —J. C. Willis, Auckland, lOst. 111 b., beat W. S. Allen, Otago, list. lib. This bout was spoiled by clinching. An occasional clean hit was delivered to be followed immediately by a series of close embraces. Willis made the pace and obtained the decision. Heavy-weight. —J. S. Batchelor, Otago, 12st., beat G. N. Frear, Auckland, 12st. 81b. The Otago man mixed his punches well, while Frear used a straight left and a right to the ribs. Forcing the pace, Batchelor drove the Aucklander all round the ring and in the last round connected with lefts and rights to the head. Frear again scored to the ribs. Batchelor had a good lead at the finish and received the decision.

LAWN TENNIS AUCKLAND’S STRONG POSITION With the first rounds of all events in the University lawn tennis tournament decided, Auckland is in a strongposition. In the play on Saturday three second strings of this college upset the main hopes of other colleges, with the result that in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and combined doubles, Auckland has its two entries left in the second round. The men’s singles championship, of which the semi-finals were played, remains to be fought out by R. McL. Ferkins, of Victoria, and F. R. Chisholm, of Otago. Both men had two-set victories in the first and semifinal rounds. Chisholm is a forceful player with a fine forehand drive, but it seems probable that the Wellingtonian’s experience and court craft will give him the title. Auckland has a fair chance of taking the men's doubles with Hubble and Nicholson who know each other’s play. Otago has two chances in this event, due to the victory of its second line,

Watson and Earl, over Victoria's best pair, Ferkins and O’Brien. Watson and Earl are very solid and on Saturday’s form were as good as the first pair from Otago, Chisholm and Mercer, who meet the Canterbury men Hunter and Smithson, in the second round. Combination is not a strong point in the play of the Christchurch pair. It is quite on the cards that Otago will have two pairs in the final. The women of Auckland distinguished themselves on Saturday. Miss N. Whitelaw, a second string, won both her singles and doubles matches. Miss Miller, first woman for Auckland, had a hard fight with the Victorian. Miss Cameron, in the first round of the singles, and in the second she strikes a game and clever Canterbury woman Miss Scott. Miss Whitelaw meets Miss P. Witherow, who is steady and experienced. Victoria has been put out of this event. Hard, even matches in the women’s doubles have allowed Misses Whitelaw and Brownless and Misses Miller and Mueller, all of Auckland, to get into the second round. Both Canterbury and Victoria have good representatives, Otago having been eliminated. R. B. Hardy and Miss Mueller (Auckland) sprang a surprise in the

mixed doubles when they defeated Watson and Miss Witherow (.Otago), and the winners, though second strings, should shake Victoria’s best, Ferkins and Miss Shepherd in the second round. The maroon players Hunter and Miss Scott went very well together and the match between them and the Aucklanders Hubble and Miss Miller should be fast and interesting. On Saturday Auckland won eight matches, Canterbury and Otago live each, and Victoria four.

THE PLAY DESCRIBED AUCKLAND PUT OUT The second round of the men’s singles saw Hubble go down to the Otago man Chisholm in two fast sets, both men hitting out and giving an exhibition of sparkling tennis. Play was even in the first set, Chisholm collecting the two winning games after 4 —4. Chisholm has a fine forehand drive, but his backhand is weak and he tries to cover it up. Hubble did not take advantage of it in the second set, in which he notched only one game. Both men drove down the side lines with accuracy and the Aucklander made many surprising recoveries. His volleying was neat, but his opponent was too forceful for him. FERKINS AGAIN Hunter failed to show his morning’s form when he was up against Ferkins, the Wellington first string, in the second round. Occasionally his forehand drive went in with force and accuracy, but he was erratic. On the other hand Ferkins showed an improvement and was very consistent. He led 4 —l in the first set, and the Canterbury man managed to pick up two games. In the second Hunter was outplayed. BACK-LINE VICTORY With their solid back-line play the Victoria girls, Misses O. M. Shepherd and M. Cameron, registered a win over the Canterbury second line, Misses M. C. Richards and E. M. Armstrong. The only player who came to the net regularly was Miss Cameron, the others driving steadily and lobbing consistentently. AUCKLAND’S SECONDS SHINE For the second time Auckland’s second woman, Miss Whitelaw upset a first string when she and Miss Brownlee beat Misses P. Witherow and L. S. Ballantyne, of Otago. The Aucklanders were well down in the first set, which went against them 2 —6. Miss Witherow was always reliable and her partner was driving well in the second set, but their opponents added more vigour to their game. Miss Whitelaw was placing nicely and Miss Brownlee was driving well and finishing-off at the net on occasion. The Auckland girls took the last sets 6—4, 6—4. JUST SAVED Though Otago needed the matcli point three times in the game between Misses E. E. Miller and J. M. Mueller, Auckland's first women, and Misses I). E. £>cott and N. Duthie (Otago), they were beaten in three sets. Auckland failed to get going in the first set, but in the second they showed up and the games went evenly to 5 —5. There were many deuces and Otago needed a match point three times before the Aucklanders won the set. The third set went to the northerners. CANTERBURY SUCCESSFUL The fastest women’s double was the match in which Misses E. K. Scott and H. G. Jones, of Canterbury, beat Misses M. Goodwin and M. Briggs (Victoria). The southerners hit harder and Miss gained many tellingpoints with her volleying and overhead work. The first set went easily to Canterbury, but the Victorians played more carefully in the second and took it 6—5. The third set saw the Canterbury players come into their own again. AUCKLANDER'S AGAIN For the third time Auckland seconds had a victory over firsts when Hardy and Miss J. Muellen defeated J. A. F. Watson and Miss P. Witherow (Otago). The turning factor in the game was Miss Mueller’s rattling good work at the net. She played like a - book. OTHER MATCHES Thirty games were played in two sets when Hubble and Miss Miller (Auckland) met the strong seconds from Otago, Chisholm and Miss D. Scott. It was even pegging all the way, but the Aucklanders had slightly the test of it. There was nothing exciting about, the game between Ferkins and Miss Shepherd (Victoria) and Smithson and Miss Jones (Canterbury). Ferkins found a weak link and played casually afterwards. The Canterbury pair Hunter and Miss E. K. Scott combined excellently in their match against Scott and Miss Cameron, of Wellington. Miss Scott volleyed accurately, and Hunter’s drive was effective. Results of Saturday’s play: SATURDAY’S RESULTS MEN’S SINGLES.—HoIder, W. R. Robinson (C.U.C.). First Round C. J. M. Hunter (C.) beat J. O. Mercer (O.), 6—l, f—l. V. N. Hubble (A.) beat A. W. Smithson (C.), 6—2, 7—5. , R. McL. Ferkins (V.) beat A. M. Nicholson (A.), S—6, 6—2. F. R. Chisholm (O.) beat B. R. O’Brien (V.), 6—4, 6—o. Second Round Chisholm beat Hubble, 6—4, 6—l. Ferkins beat Hunter, 6—3, 6—2. WOMEN’S SINGLES. —Holder, Miss Partridge (C.U.C.). First Round Miss P. Witherow (O.) beat Miss H. G. Jones (C.), 6—5, 6—l. Miss V. Whitelaw (A.) beat Miss O. M. Shepherd (V.), 6—4, 6—l. Miss E. K. Scott (C.) beat Miss L. S. Ballantyne (O.), 6—5, 6-—5. • Miss E. E. Miller (A.) beat Miss M. Cameron (V.), 2—6, 6—3, 6—l. MEN'S DOUBLES. —Holders, W. R. Robinson and A. B. Loughnan (C.U.C.). First Round V. N. Hubble and A. M. Nicholson (A.) beat H. G. Searle and A. G. Gillies (C.), 6—2, 6—l. F. R. Chisholm and J. O. Mercer (O.) beat F. H. Paul and C. E. Scott (V.). 6—3, 6—l. C. J. M. Hunter and A. W. Smithson (C.) beat J. C. Andrews and K. A. North (A.), 4—6, 6—4, B—6. J. A. F. Watson and D. W. Earle (O.) beat R. McL. Ferkins and B. R. O’Brien (V.), 6—l, 5—7, 7—5. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. —Holders, Misses E. Partridge and L. Saunders (C.U.C.). First Round Misses O. M. Shepherd and M. (V.) beat Misses M. C. Richards and E. M. Armstrong (C.), 6—2, 6—5. Misses N. Whitelaw and J. Brownlee (A.) beat Misses P. Withei-ow and L. S. Ballantyne (O.), 2—6, 6—4, 6—4. Misses E. E. Miller and J. M. Mueller (A.) beat Misses D. E. Scott and N. Duthie (O.), 2 —6, 6—5, 6 —4. Misses E. K. Scott and H. G. Jones (C ) beat Misses M. Goodwin and M. Briggs (V.), 6—l, 5—6, 6—2. COMBINED DOUBLES. —Holders, A. B. Loughnan and Miss E. Partridge (C.U.C.). First Round R. B. Hardy and Miss J. Mueller CA.) heat J. A. F. Watson and Miss Witherow (0.1, 6—3. B—6. R. McL Perkins and Miss O. M. Shepherd (V.) beat A. W. Smithson and Miss H. G. Jones (C.), 6—3, 6—2. V. N. Hubble and Miss E. E. Miller (A.) beat F. R. Chisholm and Miss D. Scott (O.), 7—5, 10—8. C. J. M. Hunter and Miss E. K. Scott (C.) beat C. E. Scott and Miss M. Cameron (V.), B—6, 6—l. TEAM CYCLING By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright SYDNEY, Saturday. The six days’ cycle race ended in drenching rain. The winners were J. Fitzgerald and K. Ross (Victoria), wit?*. 565 points. They covered 1,689 miles. —A. and N.Z.