Fencing Canterbury University Wins Foils From Australians

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 17

F encing Canterbury University Wins Foils From Australians

The Australian Universities fencing team was beaten in an event by a New Zealand university team for the first time on its tour, in its matches against Canterbury University yesterday. This defeat, by the very narrow margin of six points, was largely caused by M. A. Sharfe, whose experience enabled him to win all his bouts with the small total of four points against. M. D. Woods, who has fenced in first place for New Zealand Universities, struck a patch of bad form in his earlier bouts but improved in his later ones. R. J. O’Dris-

coll, who has also represented New Zealand Universities, fenced well, but should have won one more bout.

The Australians, perhaps a little tired after their already strenuous tour, fenced well at times. If not as effectively as they could have done. Their captain, M. Wayland, who is not primarily a foilist, led his team well, and won two bouts in this weapon. The two foilists J. Douglas and R. Hibbard fenced well, but Hibbard, probably the best foilist in technique in the team, was too slow to be completely effective. Douglas, a left-hander, moved well and won three of his bouts. The Australian women’s team, a stronger combination than the 1957 team, was too good for the local team. Its star fencer, R. Winter 'an elder sister of V. Winter, who was in Christchurch with an Australian national fencing team earlier this year), won her bouts easily, as did N. Sheehan. The other fencers in the Australian team, P. Affleck and R. Bielenberg, fenced vigorously and with determination, in somewhat marked contrast to the local fencers. The only local woman to do particularly well, U. Woods, is also an aggressive fencer. M. Riddolls, of Canterbury also fenced well, but lacked the confidence required to win. The only fencer of note in the epee or sabre events was the Australian captain. Wayland. in sabre, hts favourite weapon. He was clearly superior to the others, although O’Driscoll. the Canterbury captain, took him to 4-all before being beaten. Results were:— Men's Foils Canterbury University. 8. 53 points against <M. A. Nixon 4 losses, M. D. Woods 2 wins. 2 losses, M. A. Sharfe 4 wins. R. J. O’Driscoll 2 wins, 2 losses) beat Australia, 8, 59 points against (I. Bowditch 2 wins. 2 losses. R. Hibbard 1 win. 3 losses. J. Douglas 3 wins. 1 loss. M. Wayland 2 wins. 2 losses). Women's Foil. Australian Universities 11 (P. Affleck 1 win. 3 tosses, N. Sheehan 4 wins, R Bielenberg 2 wins. 2 tosses, R. Winter 4 wins) beat Canterbury University 5 ( C. Burns 1 win, 3 losses. J. Grieve 1 win. 3 tosses. M. Rlddolis 1 win, 3 losses, U. Woods 2 wins. 2 losses). Epee.—Australian Universities 8. 61 points against (Wayland 3 wins, 1 loss. Douglas 2 wins. 2 tosses. Bowditch 1 win, 3 tosses. Hibbard 2 wins, 2 losses) beat Canterbury University 8. 63 points against (Woods 2 wins, 2 losses. Nixon 1 win, 3 tosses. F Hogg 2 wins. 2 tosses, J. Hanna 3 wins, 1 toss). Sabre.—Australian Universities 12 (Douglas 2 wins. 2 losses. Bowditch 4 wins, Hlb- . bard 2 wins. 2 tosses, Wayland 4 wins) beat Canterbury University 4 (Nixon 4 losses. ‘ Woods 1 win. 3 losses. Hanna > 1 win, 3 tosses. O'Driscoll 2 5 wins, 2 tosses). , Australian Universities won ‘ by 3 matches to 1.