THE first Jersey Junior Fencing Championships in over 20 years took place at Fort Regent at the weekend when 30 young fencers aged between nine and 16 years competed for age group trophies at foil, epée and sabre.
For the majority of fencers it was their first competitive experience and the standard of fencing and sportsmanlike behaviour across all the age groups was exemplary.Despite the competitive focus of the day, the fencers all helped each other with the electric scoring equipment, and sharing weapons, throughout the day.St Michael’s schoolboy Julian Adamson won the U11 Foil trophy, beating Joshua Burby (VCP) 10-8 in a very close final.The U13 age group was dominated by Regent Fencing Club’s Alexander Petit, who was the Master-At-Arms after winning all three disciplines.
Losing foil finalist Matthew Howard (VC) had beaten last year’s U11 CI section champion in the semi-final while Liam O’Connell (RFC) placed second in both the epée and sabre events and was the runner-up Master-At-Arms.Unfortunately for U15 foilist and top seed, James Minihane (VC), the only fight he lost all day was the U15 foil final, when he was beaten by David Speller (DLS/RFC).A technically excellent James Russell (DLS) beat Ashley O’Connell (RFC) in the U15 sabre final although O’Connell went on to add the U15 epée gold medal to her silver in the sabre and bronze in the foil to make her the U15 Master-At-Arms.The U17 foil final between two De La Salle/RFC members saw left-handed George Pearce beat right-handed Ben Mason.Ben Young (DLS) was the convincing U17 sabre champion, beating Mason into another silver medal position.However, Mason’s focus and hard work was rewarded when he gained his revenge by beating Pearce in the U17 epée final and secured himself the U17 Master-At-Arms title.
Information at www.jerseyfencing.org.je or email jerseyfencing@yahoo.co.uk
Article posted on 18th March, 2004 - 12.00am
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