Sportsman’s Notebook TOUR BY AUSTRALIAN NOVICE FENCING TEAM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 18

Sportsman’s Notebook TOUR BY AUSTRALIAN NOVICE FENCING TEAM

A team of 12 fencers, 10 of whom are beginners, will arrive in Christchurch direct from Sydney on Wednesday to begin a three weeks’ tour of New Zealand. No important matches will be played, as the tourists, who, are all members of the Swords Club, Sydney, intend the visit to be mainly social. The Swords Club in Christchurch will be host to the visitors in the city. Friendly club matches will be held in Christchurch. Wellington, and Auckland. Many other centres will also be visited, but no matches will be held. The Australians will spend five days at the Hermitage. Mount Cook. Professor Joan Beck will manage-the team, which will include the Olympian. Kathleen Baxter, and a state finalist. Janet Hopner, as well as the 10 beginners. Margaret Scobei, who gained second place in the novice championship. will also travel with the team. It. will be the third time this year that a team of Australian fencers has visited New Zealand. The purpose of the visit is to exchange ideas on judging and promotion, and to provide experience for young fencers. With such visits it is hoped to encourage nuniors to keep fencing, even if they are not championship material. The well-known New Zealand fencer, Mrs Enid McElwee (Christchurch), said yesterday that it was hoped a similar New Zealand team would visit Australia. The team plans to return to Australia on June 5.

Charity Rugby Three of the great men of post-war Rugby in New Zealand—S. F. Hill, P. F. Jones, and D. B. Clarke—have accepted invitations to play for the Barbarians against Auckland in a charity match at Eden Park on May 21. The side will include other Ail Blacks, I. J Clarke. R. J. Conway, and R. R. Cossey Others who have accepted invitations include W. J Wordley, the outstanding Maori hooker from King Country, L J. Dean, the durable front-row forward from North Auckland, and the efficient young half-back, A. A T. Edgar, now playing in Counties. He captained the Junior AH Blacks against the British Isles two seasons ago The Barbarians, in accordance with their policy, also have plans to afford young players a chance to show their promise. M. Dick, a Ponsonby club midfield back who is showing up well, is one choice, and another is

W. Aitken, of Morrinsville. The Barbarians’ team will be announced within a few days. » * * Not Listed A number of France’s foremost footballers have not been listed among the players considered certain to lour New Zealand this season. In the absence of any explanation it must be assumed that these men are in the “doubtful” category through business or personal reasons. One player known to be so placed is J. de Gregorio, the first-string hooker Late last month he promised to give the French federation definite notice in three weeks if he was available. One of Gregorio’s companions in the front row, A. Roques, is another whose name is missing. He has been a stalwart of the French pack since 1958 and one of the game’s most colourful characters. Then, too, there are P. Albaladejo, the dropkicking fly-half who was France's top scorer in the five nations championship just past. J. Bouquet, an accomplished centre, and the wing three-quarters J. Dupuy. H. Rancoule, and J. Gachassin, all internationals. Dupuy and Rancoule were among the heroes of the 1958 South African tour. Gachassin ,at sft 4in one of the smallest men playing topclass Rugby, scored tor France against Ireland this year.