Tourney Table Tennis—Vic. delegate.

[Courtesy "Manawatu Standard." Palmerston North.

When the oracle in a previous edition of Salient foretold that the Vic. Fencing Team would win at Winter Tournament the confidence placed in the team proved not to be misplaced as the team succeeded in contributing more than one quarter of Victoria's total Tournament points.

Success

The success of the team in winning all events is probably. attributable to the experience of the Vic. team compared with the generally low standard of University Fencing.

The Auckland and Otago contingents consisted predominantly of first and second-year fencers and in decisively defeating both these teams, the Vic. team was; never extended. As anticipated, last year's tournament winners (Canterbury) provided the toughest opposition, especially in the women's foil events, where both teams used their experience and technique to good advantage. Gerda Buchler (who was undefeated) and Lorna MacKenzie are worthy of special mention and their tactical approach contributed largely to their success. Sarah Tidey and Dale Youren both fenced well and with more coaching should form a good nucleus for future fencing teams.

The Run of Play

In the men's foil, Canterbury were unfortunate in that their third, fourth and fifth seeds were unable to come to Tournament and the Canterbury team consisted of two strong and two comparatively inexperienced fencers. To win this event the Canterbury stalwarts O'Driscoll and Woods could afford to lose no bouts. It was only when fencing these two fencers that the Vic. team, under the able leadership of Ross Martin, were ever extended and the Canterbury champions were defeated In several exciting fights.

The men's sabre event showed that sabre Is indeed the Universities' weakest weapon. Little appreciation was shown of the correct sabre distance and the execution of sabre moves. Jim French (V.U.W.), who was undefeated in this event, was the only sabreur to show any skill at this weapon. It was unfortunate that Vic's top sabreur, Geoff. Low, was unable by reason of a pulled back muscle to participate In this event.

The men's individual epee was won by Richard Peterson (V.U.W.), who was defeated only by Frank Batten (A.U.). The latter was proved an epeeist of ability and experience.

N.Z.U. Match

The climax of the tournament was the N.Z.U. match against the Wellington provincial team. The N.Z.U. team contained three Vic. members in both men's and women's teams. G. Buchler, L. Mackenzie, S. Tidey, in the women's team, and R. Peterson, J. French and R. Hall in the men's team, were seeded 1, 3 and 5 in the respective teams.

The women's foil was not exciting but the standard was high and the best bout was probably the defeat of N.Z. representative E. McElwee by J. Grieve (C.U.). The U.Z.U. team emerged victorious, 10-6.

A more vigorous approach characterized the men's foil. Empire Games representative P. Temple and N.Z. epee champion K. Mann both won all their fights and although Temple was taken to four each by Peterson, the provincial team emerged clear winners 10-6.

With the introduction of electric foil into winter Tournament next year and the equal ranking of all three weapons—foil, epee and sabre, as far as internal points are concerned, the opportunity will be given individuals to specialize in the weapon of their choice. The relative strength of the Universities will no longer depend on foil alone and the weaker weapons should receive more study.

Non Inutile Ferrum.