Tournament Life

"The fiat" is one of the institutions of student life which arises to especial popularity at Tournament time. For Easter Tournament goers, "The Shambles", "Leith Street", "Castle Street" or "the Jam Factory" are names to be rolled deliciously upon the tongue. Old hands will correlate them with similar titles in other University cities, "22 Armargh Street" being perhaps the most famous of them all.

For those who remain in a fit state to remember, the tournament parties held in these renowned residences far exceed any other form of entertainment, although why this is so remains a mystery. The party follows a set pattern. It does not conform to the specifications until every room is crammed to sardine-point with people. The next two requirements are noise and grog. As the morning gets older the noise increases and the grog gets less so that by the time of the inevitable arrival of the police all that can be done to limit the nuisance to society is to shut the windows. This induces 100 per cent, humidity and enforces a few to leave, but more to collapse on sagging beds and sofas. The resulting extra floor space is immediately used by jivers and rock 'n roll artists who operate elbow to elbow with remarkable efficiency. From 5-7 a.m., most people if not flaked, expressions and go home to revive are conscious of their fellows' haggard before resuming sports. The universal cry before a match begins is "no sleep and no breakfast". However, the victims are not contrite. The process will be repeated with increasing enthusiasm but declining energy until everyone returning to his own city, and work.

—J.B.