OUR SPORTS SECTION

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 17

OUR SPORTS SECTION

AROUND THE UNITS A.S.C. The sports activities of this Unit have been disorganised through members of the various athletic teams being transferred to other parts of the country, but outstanding in recent performances have been:— Bde. Reps., Dvrs. Arnold, K. D., Porter, W.C.R., and Pountney, W.D., have upheld the name of their Unit in the Rugby Sphere. In the Boxing World, Dvrs. Edwards, H. S., and Branton, N. W. P. Dvr. Edwards recently represented the Bde. at the Wellington tournament. A general all-round man lost to us, is Dvr. Poultney, S. A., who holds several Waikato records. Steve Poultney is a past master at the art of high jumping, and scooped the pool here several times. He is now attached to the 3rd Bn. Group. It is to be hoped that now Summer is here the Unit will be as well represented in fine-weather pastimes as it has been in the Winter Field. Light Field Ambulance. Hockey. Our team had a fairly successful season. Of the matches played two only were lost. Pte. H. A. Jenkins represented us in the Brigade side which played Auckland towards the end of August. Soccer. Though we had only a small number of enthusiasts, we managed to field a fair side and had an enjoyable season, despite the fact that only one game was won. Pte. B Sharp was selected as reserve for the Brigade XI. Physical Training. Since August 26, we have settled down to a definite P.T. syllabus. The period has been changed from the last to the first of the day. This has proved quite a success. The muscles of some chaps are rapidly developing, partly owing to the number of presses ordered by the instructor. "Be in, Big Chief! Three presses for arguing with the instructor," fired at a sergeant, does produce results! The brain-stimulating, strengthening and competitive games, interspersed throughout the exercise, keep the men on their toes and the keenness shown proves the popularity of the training. Transporter Company. Sport in the Transporter Company has been mainly confined to rugby football, athletics, cricket and hockey. The cricket season was nearing its close when the company had settled down to training and the series of wet weekends further complicated matters. Teams of athletics took part in meetings at Taihape, Raetihi and Rangitaua with only moderate success. The company was unfortunate that A. Dysart, who was probably the fastest man over 100 and 220 yards, was seldom available owing to injuries and family sickness. The company entered upon the rugbv season with high hopes as the material available appeared promising. Two teams were entered in both the Brigade "A" and “B" competitions, and both teams set off with wins. However, with its weaker numerical strength as compared with most other units the leave made it practically impossible for the "A" team to ever field its full strength and the results obtained were disappointing. Nevertheless, the team put up good fights against the best Brigade sides and accounted for their main rivals, the Brigade A.S.C., after a dour struggle. Lieut. H. Peake, Cpl. H. J. Julian, and Dvrs. K. Ladbrook, R. I. Godfrey, G. Newland and G. D. Berry all represented the Brigade at different times.

The hockey team promised well at the beginning of the season but the lack of equipment was a serious disadvantage and enthusiasm was not maintained, but the material is there and next season may be better. A few boxers have taken part in the Camp events and instruction has been given by L/Cpl. Bolger, in the mess room, at nights.

A ping pong tournament was organised, but the presence of Eric Boniface, one of New Zealand's top men, frightened many out. Needless to relate, Boniface won.