A strong CONY fencing team defeated the Crimson 14 to 13 in a close match yesterday at the LAB. Harvard's record is now six wins and four losses with three meets left in the season, including an Ivy League bout at Princeton on Saturday.

The sabremen took seven out of nine matches, with seniors John Piel and Lajos Heder both winning two out of three bouts. Junior James Pusey was the only Crimson fencer to take all three of his matches.

All-Ivy candidate Allan Gardner led the epee squad to a 5-4 win over the Beavers. In other epee matches Bill Bodnett won two of three and Jon Reckier one of one, while Pete Piazza lost both of his bouts.

The consistently weak foil team could only capture one of nine matches. Sophomore John Nelson accounted for the only win, as fencing captain Larry Johnson and converted sabremen Jai Yuh were shut out by City fencers.

Mechanical failure was partially responsible for the devastating foil loss. Wires running up through the foilmen's clothing and passing to the tip of the weapon are kept taut by a spring-loaded reel which broke during the first round. The wires, which connect to flashing lights registering contact between the foil and the target, had to be hand-wound and interfered with the action.