Fencing NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 6

Fencing NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

University Teams

The first Australian Universities’ fencing team to visit New Zealand drew 2-all in an unofficial test with New Zealand Universities on Saturday. Australia won the epee and the women’s foil, and New Zealand won the men’s foil and the sabre. While the technique of some of the fencers was not very good, the speed and timing were of such a high standard as to make all the bouts interesting and difficult to judge. The first event, the men’s foil, was won by New Zealand Universities, 10-6. The match opened with New Zealand winning five bouts without loss. Then, a pause of several minutes in the fencing enabled Australia to come within striking distance. From then until the last bout, the match was very close. None of the Australians was particularly impressive, though they all fought well. Probably the best was G. Watford, whose reach and speed once more stood him in good stead. The captain, N. M. Whitmont, generally regarded as th? best foilist in the team, was beaten decisively by three members of the New Zealand team. The New Zealand captain. M. J. Tait (Auckland) was the best fencer of the night. He fought impressively to win all his bouts, mainly on defence. The next most successful fencer was M. A. Sharfe (Canterbury). whose timing in his bout with Whitmont gave him a convincing 5-0 victory. Unfortunately he did not maintain this form. S. S. Chau (Otago) fenced well, but was not quite in form, while A. A. T. Ellis (Victoria) produced probably the worst fencing of his career. The women’s foil produced many surprises, not the least of which was the Australian victory. All the Australians fenced with much more force than they have done on the tour so far. and won 9-7. The only New Zealand fencer unworried bv the Australians’ tactics was Miss M. Tilby (Otago), who fought brilliantly to win all her bouts. She conceded only five hits against in the whole contest. Miss V. Stiles, of Australia, showed greatly improved form to win three of her bouts. The Australian captain. Miss M. Saxby, fenced well, but was unable to produce the final touch necessary to win more bouts. Although the Australians won the epee 10-6, D. A. Baughan (Canterbury) was the most successful individual competitor, winning three bouts. In No. 3 position in the New Zealand team, Ellis again gave a disappointing performance. The standard of sabre competition was extremely good, but here again the emphasis was on timing rather than on technique. Results were:— Men’s Foil.—N.Z.U.: M. J. Tait (A.U.C.), 4 wins, 0 losses; M. A. Sharfe (C.U.C.), 3,1; S. S. Chau (0.U.), 2,2; A. A. T. Ellis (V.U.C), 1. 3. A.U.: G. Watford, 2 wins, 2 losses; D. Ross-Smith, 2,2; N. Whitmont, 1; 3; C. Watford, 1, 3. Epee.—N.Z.U.: D. A. Baughan (C.U.C.), 3 wins, 1 loss; Tait, 2,2; C. D. Beeby (V.U.C.), 1,3; Ellis, 0, 4. A.U.: C. Watford, 3 1; G. Watford, 3. 1; Whitmont, 2,2; Ross-Smith 2,2. Women’s Foil.—N.Z.U.: Miss M. Tilby (0.U.), 4 wins, 0 losses; Miss J. Murphy (C.U.C.), 0,4; Miss D M. C. Fussell (V.U.C.), 2.2; Miss S. Cox (A.U.C.), 1, 3. A.U.: Miss V. Stiles, 3,1: Misses M. Saxby, B. Loy, M. Sofer-Schreiber, 2,2. Sabre.—N.Z.U.: Tait, 3 wins. 1 loss: Ellis, 3,1; Sharfe, 2,2; Chau, 1, 3. A.U.: Whitmont, 3. 1; Ross-Smith, 2, 2; G. Watford, 2,2; C. Watford, 0, 4.