Hello Fencers,
Due to a school open evening being sprung upon us, we shalln't have the Oasis Academy for the evening of Wednesday the 19th of September. We'll either find an alternative venue for that evening or arrange a social. As always, suggestions are welcome. This should be the last of our wanderings for the foreseeable future and we are at the Oasis on all dates before and after September 19th until Xmas.
A new adult sabre course begins this week (5th Sept). There are still places if anyone feels like piling in. It aims to be technical and give a thorough understanding as well as practice in the fundamentals of sabre fencing. The details are here: https://www.bwefencing.co.uk/courses-and-workshops/
The launch of our new training session for juniors, The Bristol Fencing Academy, has had to be put back to the 26th of September due to the disruption caused by losing our venue for the 19th. Meanwhile Academicians are welcome at our Saturday sessions as part of their membership. Details of the Academy can be found here: https://www.bwefencing.co.uk/bristolfencingacademy/
Our epee championship for August was as hotly contested an affair as ever with Jack White taking first place
with a clean sweep of wins and Patrick Durant and Jon Mason, close second and third. High class fencing.
August's McNeill Cup winning sabre team was (L to R) Robert Greenwood, Mikołaj Ciezkowski and Jon Dawkins. It was a 45:43 final and as gripping as usual. Well done to all.
The foilists in our midst have noted as unfair that they have no monthly competition.o watch this spA That's going to be corrected, space for a new club competition at that elegant weapon.
Here's the latest report from coach, Jon Mason. This time it's from the Shropshire Open where both he and his son, Luke were competing:
"Great day for Luke
He started well in both pools coming 5th seed, and worked his way through the D.E's to reach the semi finals against a very experienced international Slovakian, Luke lead all through the match tiring his opponent out and winning comfortably. Then the final against a very fast and talented Croatian who was seeded 1st, t...he match was fast and exciting all through, at the end of the first period Luke was 3 points down!
2nd round Luke used distance more effectively stopping his opponent's perfect parry ripostes by moving back just at the right moment allowing his opponent to walk onto his blade and drew even. Then Luke pressed him, forcing the Croatian to attack at the wrong time enabling him to score. Luke won 15 12
"As for myself, first pool awful winning 1 bout, second pool better winning 4 out of 5, started well in d.e ahead then my opponent drew even and crept ahead, I couldn't disengage his carte bind well enough to avoid his point so l"ost. I was seeded 14 but think ended 19.
Felt as though I should have done better but Luke made up for it😀"
See you soon,
John