Bulletin # 061217: Club Xmas Social Xmas Break & Churchill Friendly McNeill Cup Result Millfield LPJS Sabre Elite Epee Series Clifton College Friendly

Our Club Xmas Social is to be on Friday, 15th December at the White Bear, Cotham.  It is booked from 7.30.  Hangers on and attendants of all sorts are of course welcome.  There will be a dart board and a pool table.  Food can be ordered.  Thanks to Anna Grodent for setting this up.

As our venue will be closed over Xmas, there will be no fencing at the club on the 23rd, 27th and 30th of December.  However, Churchill FC have kindly extended their traditional Yuletide invitation to fence at their place on the 27th of December.  It's always a delightful event and a welcome break from gorging and charades.
 

The winners of the McNeill Cup team sabre for November were Jon Dawkins, Sharon Hillier and Ross Grodent.


Ruben and Xavier Hillier secured good positions in a very tough field at the Millfield LPJS Sabre.  Hats off to the twins for flying the flag for White Eagle!
 

The Elite Epee series is coming to our region with Juniors, Men's, Women's and Veterans events at Millfield school over the weekend of 6th & 7th January. For full details and entry forms visit www.eliteepee.com . We really should support this venture.

 

Saturday's friendly at Clifton College saw memorable performances from our foilists and epeeists.  Though unaccustomed to the bendy blade, Lia Emanuel, Ross Grodent, Robert Hillier Nick Scott-Samuel and Tim Wye produced some nifty moves while Ruben and Xavier Hillier showed their Gallic-trained flair.  Old Cliftonian, Robert Greenwood made a fighting return to his alma mater.  Jon Mason, drew his foil in his Churchill FC guise to make it a triangular fixture.

The foil event had been a poule unique but the epee round saw six teams of three, split into two poules, with fencers fighting all those fencers in the opposing two teams in matches to five that could last only two minutes.  That guaranteed each fencer six individual bouts.
In one poule (let's call it A) a White Eagle team took on two of Clifton's while, in the other (B), a second of our teams took on the third Clifton team and a Churchill FC squad made up of the suspiciously familiar faces Jon Mason, Vangelis and Michael Papantoniou.
For team A, Lia Emanuel got off to a scorching start by pinning the arm of her lefthanded opponent with accurate lunged stop-hits.  It set a pattern of timed aggression that Lia sustained through the match.  Ruben Hillier was inflinching against older and larger opponents, pulling off fearless and stylish lunges with excellent point control.  Ross Grodent used his speed of foot and quick wits to handle highly aggressive and more experienced opponents, while effectively captaining the team.
In the other poule (B), a near internecine affair involved Churchill and White Eagle teams, with a Cliftonian third.  In the Churchill crew, though new to competition, Michael Papantoniou kept his point where it could do good and let it find it's mark when his opponents erred: epee in essence.  Papantoniou pere used his trademark rapid attack to good effect.  I didn't see as much of Vangelis' matches as I'd have liked but I was impressed by what I did see,  Captaining the clan was Jon Mason of whom I saw even less - though he was occassionally heard.  Fight all the way, as ever, from Jon.
Our White Eagles (B) were a louche trio of Nick Scott-Samuel, Tim "Stage" Wye and Jack White.  Nick's insouciance was taxed but never faltered as he paddled in the murky waters of pommelling for the first time in competition.  Was in dynamic form, doubtless bring a degree of swash from preparation for his role in Zorro: The Musical. Jack White struck with  unnerring counter-attacks to complete a dynamic trio.
The result, apparently, was a victory for all who took part.  What is indisputable is that all who took part had a splendid time and they, and we camp followers were treated to an excellent tea by our Clifton hosts.
Thanks to Stuart Scorgie, Clifton's coach, and to the students of Clifton College for a most enjoyable event.  Photos taken by Anna Grodent can be seen at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bristolwhiteeaglefencingclub/

See you soon,
                      John

Bulletin # 221117: November Epee Championships Clifton College Friendly FIE Coaching Videos The Smell of the Grease Paint Jon Mason Reports From Finland

Hello Fencers!


On Saturday (25th Nov.) we contest our November Epee Championships.  The standard of our monthly foining feast goes from strength to strength and it's always a friendly and fun affair. 

We have our foil and epee friendly at Clifton College on the following Saturday (2nd December).  So far I have these names, I think.  If you are on the list and shouldn't be, should be on it and aren't or if you'd like to be added, drop me a line on johnrohdeuk@yahoo.com.  I'm sure I've forgotten some.
Foil/Epee: Nick, Tim, Jon.
Epee: Jack, Lia, Ross, Van, Michael.
Churchill/Sidcot FC will also be sending two epee teams, so it should be an epic battle.

For our candidate coaches - and of interest to sabreurs in general - Anna Grodent has submitted this link to FIE coaching videos: https://m.youtube.com/watch?sns=em&list=PLW9OQerjy9W3kizilIfQ6wokHKCpTU05Y&v=Rhcy5hsEJos

Three of our fellow fencers have landed parts as stage fencers in a production of Zorro - The Musical  from 7th to 10th of March, 2018.  Jon Dawkins, Patrick Durant and Tim Wye will be treading the boards.  That sounds like a club social in the making https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4E_260SH5Y

Our epee coach Jon Mason, sent back this report from Finland on his son, Luke's second campaign as a Great Britain Cadet international:
"A nervous start in the pools but quickly gained confidence winning all 6 of his bouts which placed him 6th seed.
"After a long wait for his first D.E he was gutted to find out it was against a fellow team mate and friend Ed Scott Payne. As his father and knowing Ed as well I couldn't watch but Luke had to work hard to secure a win. Then to make things worse he had to fence another fellow team mate 'Josh Willcox' straight after, this was a very tough match with Josh gaining a 3 point lead early on and Luke had to fight hard to catch up which he did and the score was 14 all. Luke scored the last hit, finally he got to fence someone from another country an Italian. Andrea Alno was a very good fencer but never got ahead of luke on points, Luke controlled the match all the way winning 15 11.
"Luke's next match was a L8 and against an American left hander Ethan Kusnerik who was very quick, he gained a 1point lead and lots of doubles were scored as his main tactic was a fleche but luke changed his distance and caught up with a loverly well timed stop hit then another well timed attack put him in the lead to win.
"Now he was in the semi but against another American Isaac Herbst. This guy was very fast and accurate he dominated the fight all through but Luke kept his cool and fought valiently never giving up and keeping his dignity. He lost but gained a bronze for GBR.
"The support luke had from his fellow team mates was fantastic, we were shouting the loadest on every point luke scored and offering encouragement on every lost point.
"Luke put every thing he had into this competition and performed his best achieving a great result.
Though probably put 10 years on me!"

See you soon,
                       John

Captain's Log Supplemental # 161117: Clifton College Foil/Epee Friendly November Epee Championship

Hello Fencers!

Just an update re our foil and epee friendly versus Clifton College: it will now be on Saturday, 2nd December, starting at 13.30. 
The foil match will precede the epee, so it's possible to take part in both weapons.  The club can provide some foil (and epee) kit for those need it.  It's expected to last around an hour and three quarters, format to be decided upon the day.  Clifton will provide a match tea afterwards. 
I can provide directions upon request. 
Let me know by email (johnrohdeuk@yahoo.com) if you'd like to come.  It should be great fun.
Now that we have shifted the friendly match, our club epee tournament can proceed according to schedule on 25th November.

See you soon,
                       John

Bulletin # 141117: Clifton College Foil/Epee Friendly Coaching Course Part One

Hello Fencers!

We have received an invitation from Clifton College to a foil and epee friendly on Saturday, 25th November, starting at 13.30.
I know we have some secret squirmers and prodders aplenty.  Who's up for this foray?  It's the same day as the scheduled Club Epee Championship for the month: what is your view on shifting that to the 18th Nov. or 2nd Dec.?  Expressions of interest and opinions as soon as possible, please, on johnrohdeuk@yahoo.com

Good work to our student coaches who did so well in the first leg of their Level One course.   It looked like great fun.  If anyone is interested in following their example, please get in touch.

See you soon,
                       John

Bulletin # 071117: Coaching Course Refereeing Practical Yrs 5 to 10 Sabre Results

On Saturday (11th Nov.), our student coaches will begin the first day of the two day coaching course.  If you haven't enrolled and would like to, contact me as soon as possible.
For those who attended the refereeing course some time ago,thepractical test for sabre can be arranged for Sunday, 26th November, at the Millfield LPJS Sabre.  Let me know, again as soon as you can, if you are able to make that date.
Last Saturday morning youngsters from Bristol's schools fought out the Term 1 Sabre Championship (held over from last term).  Thirty fencers, over seven poules, in six age categories were brought from start to finish within two hours. There was some excellent fencing, with controlled footwork and tactical use of the blade and a varying of tactics through thecourse of matches. Meanwhile, our normal complement of epeeists did their Saturday thing under the expert guidance of Jon Mason. On top of it all, Anna Grodent gave the Yrs 3 & 5, who had their matches last week a lesson and made recruits among siblings and parents. Thanks to our referees and helpers: GiannaColligiani, Nigel Cooley, Jon Dawkins, Patrick Durant, Rosemary Greenwood, Robert Greenwood, Robert Hillier and Tim Wye.The medal placings were:
Yr 5: Gold: Monty Guy (Elmlea Juniors); Silver: Jamie Dennis (Holy Trinity);Bronze: Theodore Andrieu (Elmlea Juniors) & Aidan Heyes-Lynch (White Eagle).
Yr 6: Gold: Isabelle Allen (Elmlea Juniors); Silver: Luke Karlinski (White Eagle); Bronze: Eloise Allen (Elmlea Juniors) & Peter Scott-Samuel (White Eagle).
Yr 7: Gold: Lucia Furr (White Eagle); Silver: Seth Richards (Bristol Metropolitan); Bronze: Esme Tromans (Bristol Metropolitan) & Hannah Bufton (Bristol Metropolitan).
Yr 8: Gold: Dario Blandford (White Eagle); Silver: Kham Phan (Bristol Metropolitan); Bronze: Louis Goodwin (Bristol Metropolitan).
Yr 9: Gold: Jamie Honeywill (Bristol Metropolitan); Silver: Joe Heyes-Lynch.
(White Eagle); Bronze: Ruben Hillier (White Eagle) & Boldiszar Melegh (White Eagle).
Yr 11: Gold: Maciej Oledzki (Bristol Metropolitan).

See you soon,
                       John

Bulletin # 311017: McNeil Cup Results For October October Club Epee Champs Yrs 3 & 4 Sabre Matches Yrs 5, 6 & Secondary Sabre To Come Report From Klagenfurt

The McNeill Cup team sabre competition for October was fought out last week, in a particularly exciting fashion. Four teams contested the prize witn none of the matches decided by more than five points. Hats off, in that regard, to Jon Dawkins for seeding the teams so effectively. The winning team was made up of Xavier Hillier, Daniel Molnar, Jimmy Taylor and Dan Wilkinson (c).
Not to be outdone, our epeeists piled in with a thriller of a club epee championship for October. The podium places were:
1st: Nick Scott-Samuel, 2nd: Patrick Durant, 3rd: Jack White.
Saturday also saw the first of this school year's Bristol White Eagle FC junior sabre championships saw fencers from school years 3 & 4 contest for medals and glory.  Much courage and skill were on display from all participants.
The medal places were:
Yr 4:
Gold: Sam Cunning (Holy Trinity)
Silver: William Seviour (White Eagle/Holy Trinity)
Bronze: Kian Reardon (Colston's Primary) & Xavier Stockhausen (Colston's Primary)
Yr 3:
Gold: Arlo Hugh-Jones (Colston's Primary/White Eagle)
Silver: Arthur Rees (Elmlea Juniors)
Bronze: Oscar Barraud (Colston's Primary) & James Webber (Holy Trinity)
Many thanks to our referees: Gianna Colligiani, Robert Hillier and Robert Greenwood.
Especial thanks to Gianna for the preparation and organisation that allowed the event to run so smoothly.
Thanks too to our friends at BFC for their kind assistance with boxes and spools.
This coming Saturday, the Yrs 5, 6 & Secondary School Age sabreurs will have their matches.  As ever, our younger students and adults will fence as usual.
Last but not least, club epee coach, Jon Mason filed this report on the first foray into ternational fencing for his son Luke at the Kalgenfurt Cadet International:

Flew to Salzburg on Fri morning then took a leisurely drive down to Klagenfurt for Luke's first international epee competition on Saturday.

The event started 8.30am (he checked in and did an extremely rigorous weapons check the previous evening). There were 210 male cadets entered with 1 round of pools then D.E's. Luke fenced brilliantly in the pools perfect timing and piste control winning 5 out of 6 the one he lost was timed out at 3 - 2.
This placed Luke at 28th seed. Then came the hanging around for 2 and a half hours!
Finally Luke was called up against a tall thin Swiss pommeller. The match started and the Swiss guy immediately put pressure on Luke by forcing him backwards, but Luke scored with some lovely well timed counters which frustrated him. I could see the opponents coach telling him to take the blade which he tried but Luke still hit with disengage counters.
After the first break the the score was 14 10 to Luke. Thats when things started to turn!!
We knew his opponent was going to pressure him and try and take his blade so all Luke had to do was keep his distance and counter when he knows the moment is right. But Luke got impatient and chose the wrong moment twice so got hit 14 -12 then twice more 14 -14 then again NO too late 14 -15!!!
We're both gutted but atleast I didn't have to say anything Luke knew he rushed. We all do mybself included and you get punished.
Still a great experience for us both and Finland next time😀

Jon

Bulletin # 241017: McNeill Cup Sabre For October Epee Champs In Prospect International Debut For Luke Mason Yrs 2, 3 & 4 Juniors Match

It's McNeill Cup week come again, with our team sabre trophy up for grabs.
Our epeeists, can limber up for their own monthly championship on Saturday. 
The field will be more open as Jon and Luke Mason will be away at Luke's first international event.  Good luck to Luke and let's hope Jon's nerves aren't put under too much strain.
Also on Saturday will be one of our junior sabre championships, with fencers from our satellite clubs in local primary schools.  This week it's school years 2, 3 & 4.  The following Saturday it will be the turn of the older year group and secondary school students.  Assistance is always welcome for any of the many tasks in such a tournament. We'll be aiming for a 9.45 kick off.

See you soon,
                        John

Bulletin # 171017: South West Epee Championships Report

Hello Fencers!

The news for the club this week was the foray of our epeeists to the South West Championships.  Ross Grodent, our man on the spot has sent in a report, pasted below (but modestly omitted to mention that it was he who was the winner of the plate competition).  Here is Ross' report:

A great time was had by the Bristol White Eagle delegation at the EFSW Epee Seniors competition last weekend. Three members of the club were representing, Lia Emanuel, Vangelis Papantoniou and Ross Grodent as well as Club regular and epee guru Jon Mason. What the White Eagles cohort lacked in experience they made up for in verve and endeavour as they pitted themselves against a stacked and experienced field of entrants. The competition was run in the following format: two sets of poules before the direct elimination (DE) portion of the event with each successive round informing the placement of each fencer in the next.

 

The men were up first leaving the women a bit of a wait – not necessarily what you want when all that nervous energy is kicking around – with Ross and Vangelis recording a victory in their respective poules. This gave them an idea of where they would end up in the next poule and also who they would face. Jon posted three victories and only narrowly missed out on a clean sweep.

 

Then it was Lia’s turn to fly the flag, harrying her opponents with her movement and attacking instincts and recording 2 victories in her poule. So far so good.

 

The second round of poules were up next and with them a degree more pressure as it was the results of these that would establish who each fencer would face in DE. And with all four of the fencers in action more or less at the same time (literally in the case of Ross and Jon who were paired together in both round of poules) the exact details became harder to keep a hold of until everyone was able to meet up again and compare notes. Some victories were claimed across the three less experienced members of the group while Jon continued to tear up trees.

 

After a bit of a break it was DE time and with each match going to 15 points compared to the first to 5 in the poules it was a different animal. The fact that each of Lia, Vangelis and Ross went out in the first round of DE doesn’t really tell the full story as each made their (considerably more experienced) opponent really work for their victory. One of the matches went to 14-15, the others went near or into double figures and whilst initially dejected each of the three could hold their heads high on the basis that they could have given no more than they did.

 

The three then turned into the Jon Mason cheerleading squad as he roared to second place and a silver medal, fencing superbly all afternoon. As well as that the Club can proudly boast the winner of the ‘Plate’ (a side competition for those knocked out in the first round of DE) among its ranks.

 

People can take what they want from fencing – what one gets out of it might be different to another and that’s just fine – but in my limited experience there are few things like turning up in a competitive environment with your club mates and banding together against the rest. Those little mid-match observations and nuggets of advice about an opponent’s style or tendencies make all the difference and whilst you may end up facing each other there are many more times when you don’t. It’s an experience worth having at least once in this writer’s opinion.

 

Big thanks to Gemma and to the friendly and familiar refereeing faces of Jon and Ann Dawkins, both of which looked smart and sharp in their finest garb.

Bulletin # 101017: Seamus Fogerty Video SW Epee Champs On Saturday Competitions Coming Up Trainee Coaches

Hello Fencers!

Our talented sextet of Gianna Colligiani, Anna Grodent, Adrian Day, Nick Scott-Samuel, Peter Scott-Samuel and Tim Wye feature in this music video of Seamus Fogarty's latest track, VanGogh's Ear.  Many thanks to director Sam Church, father of fencer Jimmy, for getting us involved in this project.  He is also the talented hand that made the props.  Thanks to to James Hankins for doing such a great job of direction. [http://] Here's a link to the piece.
Our epeeists should be girding their loins for Saturdays SW Epee Championships.  I know some have already signed up but it would be good to see a strong turnout of White Eagle foiners at this local event. Full details are available here.
While on the subject of competitions, here's a list of those comimg up (thanks to Jane Browne for this):

Oct-17
14    EFSW SNR EPEE Champs Wellington (SW only)
Nov-17    
12    LPJS EPEE Millfield
26    LPJS SABRE MILLFIELD
Dec-17    
16+17    Cadet Winton
JAN 18    
Feb-18    
3    SW AGE GRPS CHAMPS SABRE (SW only)
4    SW AGE GRPS CHAMPS EPEE(SW only)
10+11    Cornwall LPJS E,F, S   ??TBC

It would be good to get some of our juniors into these events and the senior competitions can be jolly affairs.
In conclusion, as it's getting closer to the first of the Level 1 coaching course dates, we really should decide upon a time and place convenient to all. Could candidates please contact me with their preferences?
See you soon,
                     John