Fab fencers put on a stylish show on Chichester's big day

There was a huge turnout of more than 100 youngsters from all over the area and from lots of different schools competing.

In the seven-and-under foil, it was an extremely tough contest between Westbourne House and Oakwood schools for the final placings, with Westbourne House’s Edward Butt eventually winning in wonderful style.

Oakwood’s Harry Kittermaster was second and Westbourne’s Noah Mazrani and Oakwood’s Josh Fawcett took bronze.

The nine-and-under foil was the largest single age group, with a staggering total of 38 fencers.

First was Westbourne House’s Rory Coulson, whose beautiful fencing meant he narrowly beat Prebendal’s stylish Ben Shepherd in a fantastic final.

Oakwood shared more honours with Eleanor Campbell and Ben Fawcett sharing the bronzes, while Central School’s Christopher Barry won the coveted Style Trophy for his excellent footwork and blade control.

The 11-and-under foil was fenced at a high standard with Central School and Chichester Fencing Club’s star fencer Isaac Jolley winning the title and also the prize of the day, the Ditcham Park Cup.

CFC’s Robin Elliott came second with a lovely display of foil. Heather Rees from CFC and Max Hooper from Central School and CFC shared bronzes, both having fenced beautifully all day.

CFC’s Oscar Pickering won the style cup after a unanimous decision by the judges.

The 14-and-under foil saw probably the most hotly-contested compettion of the day with CFC’s Matt Baker taking another title, narrowly beating Bishop Luffa and CFC’s Oliver Hayward into second.

CFC and Bishop Luffa’s Tom Raymond-Wells shared bronzes with his school and team-mate Charlotte Beadle, who also fences at Bognor’s Arena Leisure Centre.

In the 14-and-under sabre event, CFC’s Devlin Stigant was in splendid form to take the title with CFC’s Matt Baker taking his second trophy of the day with a sabre second. Windlesham House’s Oliver Skillman shared the bronzes with CFC and Chichester High School’s Edward Hewitt in a lovely show of sabre fencing.

In the 14-and-under epee, the unstoppable Stigant was in brilliant form again to take another title, with Beadle taking her second of the day in second place and young Matthew Bradshaw taking the bronze although still only 11.

The 17-and-under competitions were riveting to watch and a great end to a wonderful day.

Bishop Luffa’s Joseph Marchant was in brilliant form to take both the first place in the epee and also a bronze in the sabre. CFC’s Jamie Loake and Ethan Walker battled it out in the foil with Jamie eventually winning a lovely contest of foil.

Seaford’s Jonny Eden shared the bronze in the sabre leaving it to CFC’s Liam Stigant and CFC and Ditcham Park’s Ben Spurge to contest the final.

In the battle of the day, Stigant went on to win the title.

Chichester Fencing Club thanked Ditcham Park School for the generous use of their facilities and all those who helped on the day.

If you are interested in fencing please contact Sharon Blackman on 01243 822753 or e-mail [email protected]