1.
CU SIGN "BEER DRINKING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD"
0.03

2.
SV TWO TEAMS OF 3 MEN COMPETE
0.19

3.
CU MORE BEER
0.23

4.
CU FAST DRINKER
0.29

5.
CU TIME CLOCK
0.31

6.
CU FAST LADY DRINKER
0.37

7.
SV CROWD CHEERS
0.40

8.
32 1/2 SCU FAST 3 MAN TEAM COMPETE
0.52

9.
CU FASTEST TEAM DRINKING
0.58

10.
SV 3 CHELSEA PENSIONERS DRINK
1.06

11.
SCU CROWD
1.07



Initials DS/V/MR/SGM


SPORT: GUZZLING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE OLD SAYING "ALL THE FUN OF FAIR" HELD GOOD TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR SIXTY MEN AND WOMEN WHO COMBINED THEIR TALENTS TO PUT ON AN UNUSUAL DISPLAY AT ONE OF LONDON'S OLDEST FETES, THE SOUTHWARK FAIR.
DOCTORS, TYPISTS, CLERKS, DRINKERS FOR PLEASURE AND A NUMBER OF RUGBY PLAYERS LINED UP IN TEAMS OF THREE TO TAKE PART IN SOUTHWARK'S BEER DRINKING CHAMPIONSHIP, A TEST OF SKILL AND INTERNAL FORTITUDE IN AID OF CHARITY.
THE IDEA OF THE PARTICULAR COMPETITION WASN'T QUANTITY BUT SPEED. TEAMS OF THREE, EACH ARMED WITH A PINT OF BEER DRANK IN RELAY -- ONE DRINKER STARTING AS THE OTHER DRAINED HIS GLASS. THE AIM -- WHICH TEAM COULD DOWN THEIR PINTS IN THE QUICKEST TIME.
THE LADIES, WHO TOOK PART, DIDN'T REACH THE FINALS, WHICH WERE DECIDED BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO LONDON RUGBY UNION TEAMS AND A HOSPITAL. THE ULTIMATE WINNERS WERE THREE MEN FROM THE SARACEN CLUB.
THE SOUTHWARK FAIR, WHICH WAS DISCONTINUED MANY YEARS AGO, WAS POPULAR IN THE 18TH CENTURY. IT HAS NOW BEEN RESURRECTED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR ONE OF LONDON'S OLDEST HOUSING SETTLEMENTS -- BLACKFRIARS, AT SOUTHWARK.