page 10

Sports Section

N.Z.U. Defeat Australian Universities

On Saturday, May 27, 1961, the N.Z. University fencing team defeated the Australian Universities' team and retained the Whitmont Cup. All matches were closely contested, N.Z.U. winning the epee and sabre and A.U. the men's and women's foils.

The tempo was set for an exacting day's fencing with the men's foils. N.Z.U.'s top seeded Malcolm Woods (Canterbury) did not find his true form in this weapon, and Australia won by the narrow margin of 9-7. Roland O'Driscoll (Canterbury) scored three wins, and Andrew Fussell (Auckland) and Richard Peterson (Victoria) two wins each. Australia's top foilist, left-handed John Douglas, was undefeated in this event, and Dick Hibbard, the number two seed, lost only to O'Driscoll.

In the men's epee event N.Z.U. quickly showed their superiority. Jim Hanna (Canterbury) gave an exhibition of controlled swordsmanship to win three of his four bouts. Richard Peterson (V.U.W.), using a more forceful approach, also won three, and Jim French (V.U.W.) and Malcolm Woods won two each.

Most successful of the Australians was John Douglas, who lost only to Richard Peterson. N.Z.U. defeated Australia 10-6 in this event.

The Australian women's team was clearly superior to the N.Z.U. team and only one member of the N.Z.U. team had recorded more than one win against the visitors in the university matches. On the day Margaret Riddols (Canterbury) fought well to beat top-seeded Rickie Winter and lost narrowly to Noelle Sheehan, the number two seed.

Australia won 10-6.

To win the Whitmont Cup, N.Z.U. had to win the sabre, 10-6, and to draw and win the sabre, 9-7. A good start was obtained when all except Australia's captain, Michael Wayland, suffered defeat in their first two matches, and the triumph for N.Z.U. came when Malcolm Woods defeated the Australian captain in a closely contested bout. Roland O'Driscoll fought very well losing only to Wayland, and Jim French gave a polished exhibition of fast, clean sabre, losing only to Ian Bowditch and Mike Wayland.

The presentation of the Whitmont Cup by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Williams, to the non-playing N.Z.U. captain, Mervyn Sharfe (who deserves great credit for his leadership and tactical advice), was the prelude to an all-night party when N.Z.U. celebrated their success in the usual fencing manner.

On Sunday evening, in a state of quasi-sobriety, the N.Z.U. and A.U. teams assembled at a well-known and well-beloved Wellington hotel, there to take sustenance in a lavish repast before adjoining to more genial surroundings to enjoy the last party of the tour.

When the Australians left New Zealand at the end of a most successful tour many aspirants of future N.Z.U. teams resolved they would do their utmost to attain selection for the 1963 N.Z.U. tour of Australia.