Fencing

Fielding their strongest team for some years, the Victoria fencing team travelled to Dunedin determined to retain the Winter Tournament title and win the newly-presented Otago Fencing Shield. They achieved these aims and in so doing gained six Tournament Shield points for VUC.

In their first contest, VUC men defeated Auckland 16 bouts to nil, while the women just scraped home against Otago by winning the odd bout in nine. Meanwhile, OU men had beaten CUC on points after drawing 8-8. In the afternoon, VUC beat CUC 12-4. and Otago decided to do some intensive training that evening.

Monday night saw some restrained (?) entertainment and Otago captain Mike Tait attended the delegates' dinner with Victoria's captain Tony Ellis, where each tried to condition the other for the morrow. Tuesday morning saw VUC women defeat CUC 8-1, and Victoria faced Otago in the virtual final of the men's foils. In a very closely contested bout OU ran out the winners 9-7.

The contest was highlighted by a classic Btrugglc between the opposing captains (a continuation of the delegates' dinner). After being down 2-3, Tait managed to draw level at 4-4, and after an extension of time had been granted pushed through the winning attack to take the bout 5-4. Chris Bceby fought very well in this pool to win three of his four fights, but even his hair-raising tactics could not bring victory VUC's way.

In the afternoon VUC women beat AUC 6-3 to win the women's section and in so doing clinch the shield for Victoria. In the unofficial sabre event VUC were placed second. In the NZU team to right Otago, Victoria were well represented, Tony Ellis and Chris Bceby fighting in the men's section, and Diana Pussell and Alison Hancpck in the women's. The Fencing Council recommended Pussell, Hancock and Ellis for NZU Blues and Miss Pussell was awarded one. She richly deserved this honour as she fought magnificently to beat Mrs Mitchell, the provincial No. 1 women fencer, and we offer her our heartiest congratulations.