FENCING CHRISTCHURCH CLUB

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 8

FENCING CHRISTCHURCH CLUB

M. Sharfe Wins Tourney

M. Sharfe, a former New Zealand University Blue, was in top form when the Christchurch Swords Club held an open tournament in the St. Michael’s Church Hall on Wednesday evening. In the biggest single night tournament yet held in Christchurch, Sharfe went through the evening with only one loss. More than 30 competitors from five clubs—the Christchurch Swords Club, Canterbury University College Fencing Club, the United Fencing Club, Christchurch Boys’ High School, and Y.W.C.A. clubs—took part. Four pistes were in action. From the qualifying pools, M. Sharfe, D. Baughan, Mrs O. Jekyll, T. Baltakmens, and L. Ewing, went into the final. This final pool produced some of the best bouts of the evening with Baltakmens outpointing Sharfe to give the latter his only loss of the evening. Baltakmens, however, was surprisingly beaten by the young fencer Ewing, whose neat play gave him a 4-1 win. Against Baughan, Sharfe was fully extended, and had to quicken his play. In a very keen tussle, Sharfe gained the decision, 4-2. Early Bouts Some of the early bouts lacked none of the excitement of the final. P. Temple, former New Zealand foils champion, was beaten by Sharfe, Mrs E. McElwee was defeated by Baughan, and the Canterbury University College competitor, D. J. O. Caffin, was defeated by Mrs O. Jekyll, a former New Zealand representative, in a very close bout. Two Hungarians who cannot as yet speak English, took part in the tournament. One of them, Sandor Temesvary, had only been fencing for four weeks. Although he was eliminated early, he showed excellent form. Results of the final pool were:— M. Sharfe, 3 wins, 1 loss, 7 points against; D. Baughan, 3 wins, 1 loss, 9 points against; T. Baltakmens, 2 wins, 2 losses; L. Ewing, 2 wins, 2 losses; Mrs O. Jekyll, 4 losses.