FENCING Australian Universities' Team Beats Canterbury

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 13

FENCING Australian Universities ' Team Beats Canterbury

The Australian Universities' fencing team won its match against Canterbury in the University of Canterbury gymnasium yesterday. The Australians won the women's foil, the sabre and the epee and lost the men’s foil by the narrowest of margins. In this event both teams won eight bouts and the result was decided on a countiback, Canterbury winning by five points. While the over-all result seemed to point to the superiority of the Australians, their task was not easy. Several bouts were decided on the final point and the Canterbury fencers put up a good display. What mainly contributed to the Australian team’s success was its tenacity and equanimity when things started to go against it The team fought back steadily until it was on top again, and went on to win. The fencing on the whole was competent without being inspiring. The brightest bout of the day was in the men’s foil between E. Thomas and J. Douglas. At this stage Canterbury was one bout behind, until Thomas with a beautiful display of speed and controlled fencing, beat his opponent to equal the score. No one fencer in the Australian team was outstanding. Each member fenced steadily, and all won a good percentage of their bouts. J. Douglas fenced well in all three weapons. and M. Wayland, the team’s captain, was particu-

larly successful in the cabre. For Canterbury J. Hanna fenced determinedly, using his long reach to full advantage to win three bouts tn the epee, two in the sabre, ano three in the foil. The women’s foil was disappointing. The fencing was stolid and without life. Although the Canterbury team was made up of experienced fencers, the Australians made full use of their greater speed and fitness and thoroughly deserved their win. Remits Men’s Foil.—Canterbury 8 wins. 38 points, against (J. Hanna. 3 wins. 1 loss. B. L. McIntyre 0 wins, 4 losses, F. Hogg 2 wins. 2 losses, E. Thomas 3 wins. 1 loss) beat Australian Universities 8 wins. 83 points, against <M. Wayland 2 wins, i losses. I. Bowditch 2 wins. 2 losses. R. Hibbard 1 win, 3 losses). Women’s Foil. Australian Universities 11 wins iP. f Affleck 1 win 3 losses. It Bielenberg 3 wins, 1 loss. N. J. Sheehan 4 wins. 0 losses. R Winter 3 wins. 1 loss) beet Canterbury 5 wins (E Murray S wins. 2 losses, P. Eliott 1 win 3 losses. O. Jekyll 2 wins. 2 losses. U. Woods 0 wins. < losses). Sabre.—Australian Unlversitie* 10 wins (I Bowdttch 3 wins. 1 loss, J. Douglas 2 wino. 2 losses I. Hibbard I wins. 2 losses. M Wayland 3 wins. 1 loss) boat Canterbury 6 wins IJ. Hanna 1 wins. 2 losses. M Woods 1 win 3 losses. R. Harvest 0 wins. < losses, R. O’Driscoll 3 wino, 1 loss>. Epee—Australian Universltloi 10 wins (M. Wayland 1 win, 1 losses. J. Douglas 3 wins, 1 loos I. Bowditch 3 wins. 1 loss, R Hibbard 3 wins. 1 loss) boa' Canterbury ( wins (R. o'On> coll 2 wins. 3 losses. M. Wood' 0 wins. 4 losses. F. Hogg 1 win 3 losses. J. Hanna 3 wins. 1 Ooss).