N.Z. HAS STRONG SIDE FOR UNIVERSITIES' FENCING

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 13

N.Z. HAS STRONG SIDE FOR UNIVERSITIES' FENCING

TOURING the last few weeks U many New Zealand fencers have watched the series of matches between the Australian Universities’ team and teams from the four New Zealand University Colleges. The general opinion has been that if the Australian team is reasonably representative, the standard of fencing in Australia is not far above that in New Zealand. However, there seems little doubt that with the men, at least, the Australians are capable of doing much better than in this tour.

The Australians’ main advantage over the New Zealanders seems to lie in their footwork, which is not only faster but more constructive. Another vital factor is the confidence with which they approach their bouts. Many of the New Zealand fencers were beaten by the calm and confidence of the Australians before they went on the floor. The Australians’ tour will end this Saturday with a match against the New Zealand University team. Experienced The Australian team is an experienced one. Marie Saxby is a tall left-hander with a fairly orthodox style. She is quite quick, but does not use her reach to full advantage. Mildred SoferSchreiber, of average height, prefers to get close and attack so vigorously and often as to stop any reply. Beverley Loy has the attribute of calmness which can exasperate many of. her opponents into attacking wildly and being hit. Valerie Stiles, as yet the least successful of the women, is a good fencer, for all that. The Australian captain is Naunton Whitmont, a left-hander whose speed, timing and confidence have come as a revelation to many New Zealand fencers. In foil, at his best, he is beautiful to waten and heart-breaking to fence against. His epee and sabre are not of the same high standard.

Don Ross-Smith’s footwork has not been at its best on the tour. His foil is good, but slow, and tends to be modelled on his favourite weapon, the sabre. Craig Watford has been the least prominent of the tourists. He does not appear to have a more than average standard in any weapon. Garry Watford, although apparently no great force in the earlier matches, has settled down to beautiful fencing and is approaching Whitmont’s standard. He has the additional advantage of a little more reach. Top Woman

The top New Zealand University woman fencer, Diana Fussell, although fencing with great mobility and vigour, seems to have lost her accuracy temporarily. This is unfortunate for she is the only university woman with a national record.

The men’s captain, Michael Tait, is an orthodox fencer, very neat, but lacking the instinct necessary for competition. This deficiency is seldom noticed because of his strength on all other points. His best weapon is the sabre and he has already beaten all the Australians in this weapon.

Tony Ellis is the man in the foil team who really has the competitive spirit as well as speed, timing, and a rapidly improving technique. He is at home in all three weapons and if he regains the form he displayed at the last national championships he could be unbeaten in all weapons. Mervyn Sharfe, the tactician of the teim. has great speed and timing and a fine technique. He should win all his foil bouts. Son Chau is usually a beautiful fencer, being very light on his feet, but he loses form very easily. The other members of the team are good, without being of the same standard as these four, and the New Zealanders will start as favourites in all events.