The team selected from all University shooters at the recent Easter Tournament departed on 10th May a little doubtful of their ability to defeat the Australians with their larger numbers. However everyone was determined to try, and started off in a respectable fashion by taking part in a friendly shoot against Teams from Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne University Clubs at the Bacchus Marsh Range.

Conditions were good, and the NZU team scored 579 over 500 and 600 yards (600 possible) closely followed by Bacchus Marsh on 578 and Melbourne 562. New Zealands R. Gilchrist top scored with 99 The team enjoyed some socialising and sightseeing on the Sunday, and installed themselves on the Williamstown Range ready for the Australian Universities "Inter-Varsity".

The Monday and Tuesday were practice days over 3,5, 600 yards and 7,8,900 yds respectively. There were a few minor problems to iron out, but nothing serious, and certainly nothing to detract from a full and varied social programme which was organised. The weather and condition; were much like those in New Zealand at this time of year - never very hot, and at times rather cold and miserable. The range facing out onto Melbourne's Port Philip Bay was susceptible to sea breezes from in front of the shooters, or land breezes from behind, as well as some strong crosswinds (up to 25 minutes at 900 yds).

The Wednesday was the Australian Universities Intervasity competition, between 8man teams, 300, 500 and 600 yds. The New Zealanders, having only 6 men, doubled up two on each range and finished the day 4th place 12 points behind the leaders out of 1200 possible (Melb URC 1151, Adelaide URC 1148, Univ NSW RC 1146, NZU 1139)

On the Thursday morning the InterVarsity continued, and after a very encouraging shoot at 700 yds a range not normally used in NZ - the NZU team having won the range by a clear 7 points from Adelaide, were only 2 points behind the leaders.

However, as this was not really their competition a prior engagement had been arranged for the NZU team, so it was not possible to continue with 800 and 900 yds - which turned out to be very cold, wet and windy.

The Inter Varsity dinner was held that evening, and was a most enjoyable and colourful affair.

The big matches for the N.Z.U. vs Australian combined Universities match over the 'hard' ranges, 300, 600 and 900yds held on the Friday, and followed by a 6way team shoot on Saturday.

The Friday contest saw the New Zealanders emerge clear winners by 22 points in 900, but in fact the competition was much closer than this until the last range when the Australians were upset by some slight rifle trouble which cost them about 20 points. It is probably true to say that the New Zealanders gained their advantage because they had been able to co-ordinate their team better during the week.

Conditions on the day were rough enough to make things interesting, with odd showers of rain, and a gusting wind blowing into the shooters faces from the right, making a steady aim difficult.

The climax to the week was a most interesting match on Saturday afternoon. Conditions were very steady all day, and six teams took part in a 10-shot match at 400 yds (on 300 yd targets,) followed by 7 shot matches at 500 yds, and 600yds. Out of a possible 720, a Melbourne district Rifle Asson team won with 703 (after losing 16 points at 400 yds, and 1, by the last shooter, at 600 yds) Second was a Victorian Rifle Assn team with 696, then New-Zealand Universities on 691, Australian Universities 681, Australian Colleges of Advanced Education 656 and a Melbourne University Rifle Club Womens team on 607.

The New Zealanders felt that this was a very satisfactory ending to the weeks competitions, in which every team member had his day, enjoyed himself, and established what everybody hopes will be a long standing trans Tasman communication in University Rifle Shooting.

The Travelling Team were:-

P. Buckingham	Otago University
R. Gilchrist.
P. Smith.	Lincoln College
G. Adlam	Victoria University
N. Wynn.
L. Plank.	Waikato University

Soccer

On Saturday, 20th May four of the Club's teams were set down to play the leaders of their perspective leagues. This was unfortunate for the club as all teams were weakened because of injuries and the University holidays. The results turned in by the teams reflected this fact.

A depleted first team, which contained two third team players, was beaten 6-1 by Stop Out at Kelburn Park. Varsity did well in the first half and was only 2-1 down at half time; however, in the second half the team tired badly and Stop Out scored a further four goals. Mike Pegler, the third team's only goal, and in the second half when moved back to replace the injured Nick Koenig he proved to be an efficient centre half. The game, in which three penalties, two to Stop Out and one to Varsity, were awarded, was marred somewhat by questionable refereeing. This culminated in Varsity, for only the second time in the Club's history, having a player ordered off. From the side-line the offender, Ran Basnet, looked more to be the sinned against than the sinner.

The two Third Division sides were both beaten. The Section A team was hammered 10-1 by a polished Upper Hutt United side at Maidstone Park. Hohn Weiss scored a consolation goal for University. The Section C team was beaten 2-0 by Island Bay United at Karori Park. Island Bay was the better side. Varsity played well in the first half, but Island Bay took control in the second half. Mike Pegler, the Varsity goalkeeper, played a fine game and saved his side from a heavier defeat.

The Fourth Division team lost 4-2 to North Wellington United at Karori Park. No further details were available at the time of writing.

The Sixth Division team remains unbeaten It beat Stokes Valley 9-1 at Vogelmorn Park. Varsity demoralised the Stokes Valley side by scoring three [unclear: hoals] in the first seven minutes. Goalscorers for Varsity were Neil Johnstone (3), Steve Mullner (3), Graham Hansen, Bob Jacques and Doug Walker. The Seventh Division team lost 3-2 to top of the table C.Y.F.C. at Kilbirnie Park. C.Y.F.C. had the better of the first half and were unlucky not to be leading by more than 2-1 at half time. Varsity played better in the second half and didn't tire as quicly as their younger opponents. John McCaffrey and Dennis Wood scored goals for Varsity.

Swords

Members of the Swords club have been flat out on one thing or another (mostly another) since the season opened in March. The Wellington Invitation Tournament was held early in March and despite the fact that some ex-Commonwealth Games reps were there, club members performed very well, the most notable success being Bruce Congaiton's win in the epee.

A bottle drive to raise funds was doomed from the start as our plum area - Kelburn had already been commandeered by the local primary school, and it rained down in buckets. However many thanks to those who did turn up - we managed to raise a little money towards running expenses. The biblical party was better attended however and there were some really weird outfits including one gentleman in a holey sheet who informed us he was the 'Holy Ghost' -very original.!!.

The effects of Tony Ellis's excellent coaching have already shown through at the Wellington Handicap Tournament held at Bulls recently. The final of the women's event was entirely composed of girls from Vic. Club. Our honourable captain, Viv McLean was the eventual winner, with Sue Norris second, Jennifer Stacy third, and Annamaria Apathy, Stephanie and Sue Grant-Taylor taking the other placings. The men's event was a little tougher but Chris Fagan came a very creditable 2nd and Bruce Congalton was 6th. All in all a very good tournament - especially from the social angle although some people didn't look too well on Sunday morning. Also pleasing at this tournament were the performances of our beginners and junior fencers. Lis Pedersen, John Oliver and Nicholas Twohill all turned in first-rate performances We expect to see them taking the junior provincial titles later in the year. The next event on the calandar is the North Island champs in Waitara over Queen's birthday weekend, which is only one or two weeks away so everybody get training!!

Everybody will no doubt be sad to hear that Dave Butler will shortly be taking off for greener pastures overseas. He has done fantastic work for the club and the sport in general and we will be sorry to lose him especially at the parties.

Hope the second term's work won't prevent you from keeping up the fencing and if you can't make it on Wednesday's, come along on Saturday mornings at 11.00 a.m.

Sue Norris.