CHANNEL SERIES JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION

GUERNSEY

 

Fencing in Guernsey has been flourishing over the last few years; there are presently more than seventy fencers under the age of 18 participating in the sport. The Sarnia Sword Club has been liaising with coaches from the south-west of England, and this year sees the launch of a new three-way competition starting in Guernsey called the Channel Series Junior Open Competition.

The competition kicked off with the boys foil events. From start to finish this event saw some excellent fencing and was great to see Beau Sejour hall transformed from as sports hall to a fencing arena.

First into the semi finals saw the Sarnia Sword Clubs rising stars and Elizabeth College students Sam Parish and Tom Miller. Both fencers have really taken the Island fencing scene by storm whilst being highly ranked fencers in both the junior and senior events. Sam Parish proceeded to the final by 15 hits to 8 over Miller. In the other semi Alex Harlow and Jamie Ellington were fencing to their best, Ellington eventually taking victory over Harlow 15-10.

Both Parish and Ellington are no strangers when it comes to finals having met many times already this season. In comparison their style of fencing are worlds apart as Parish plays the cool calm jungle cat, whilst Ellington takes the aggressive attack first think later tactic. The cool cat eventually caught his prey by forcing too many errors out of Ellington, where his every attack was delicately parry riposted resulting in a 15-9 victory for Parish.

Next saw the girls foil event which included the highlight of the weekend fencing with the most dramatic junior final Guernsey has seen for a long time.

The first two fencers to make it to the semi finals were Plymouth student Rosie Hill and Sarnia Sword Club fencer Katherine Breslin. The Breslin fan club knew this was going to be a tough fight as Rosie Hill, daughter of top UK coach Andy Hill, was certainly going to be a handful. And a handful she was finishing the local fencers dream of a final by 15-9. The other semi final saw local fencers Rosie Milner and Helen Dack fighting point to point in a battle of stamina. Ladies College fencer Rosie Milner took the victory over Dack 15-14.

And then to the final, “The War of the Rosie’s” as it was dubbed, drew in a crowd which even competing fencers stopped to watch. Both fencers pulled out magic tricks galore to whip the crowd up into frenzy in this fabulous battle. The girls kept the score line ticking over with some speed where the inevitable 14 points all soon approached. There was an agonising wait for the president to declare “sword point” as both fencers knew that there is only one point remaining to play for. Both fencers saluted the president and then each other in respect of reaching the final stage. This time saw the visiting fencer Rosie Hill take the prize home by securing the final point making the final score 15-14 in a great fight which tested the nerves of some emotional parents.

Then came the Epee events. Both the boys and girls Epee events were poorly attended as the majority of fencers are keen to master the foil first and then proceed into the cut and thrust weapon Sabre, never the less the Epeeist certainly proved their worth by producing some well executed attacks and cunning tactics.

Alex Harlow and Sam Parish were first into the semi finals with both fencers feeling at home with their talents at Epee. Parish narrowly taking victory over Harlow 15-12. Then saw the shock of the tournament as Plymouth fencer Jake Rowley sent Jamie Ellington to the early showers, knocking him out 15-2.

The final saw fencing tactics and mind games flow with every point. Plymouth fencer Rowley knew oh so well that an attack into Parish would be deadly as Parish likes to draw his opponent in. The tactic for Rowley was not to attack Parish but to draw him out of his comfort zone and into the attack. This game play worked for Rowley but as time ticked on very little scoring was being accomplished both fencers had not even made it to 5 hits when entering their final 3 minutes of fencing time. The eagerness of attack was Rowley’s downfall as he launched himself into Parish’s blade handing as well earned victory to Parish 5-4.

The women’s Epee event was over in a flash with only 3 fencers competing. The finalists were local fencer Jenny Harding and Plymouth’s Rosie Hill. Harding produced some talented Epee skills against the all round fencer Rosie Hill. Both girls made it a very spirited final by keeping the score line so close. Victory however went to Rosie Hill who scored a fabulous fleche attack on Harding to secure her gold medal position.

The final weapon to be fenced in this competition was the Sabre. This was well attended by both girls and boys with the Guernsey fencers eager to show off their talents at this weapon which the local fencers have been studying religiously.

The girl’s semi finals saw Rosie Hill taking Helen Dack apart 15-2 and Rosie Milner caused an upset to local girl sabre star Jenny Harding beating her 15-13.

The two Rosie’s were at it again but this time saw Rosie Hill taking full control of the fight in this her weapon of choice. Hill took home the girls sabre gold 15 points to 5 making this her third gold in this competition.

The boy’s sabre competition was as eventful as ever. The first semi final saw Elizabeth College student Eoin Rizzuto and school mate Sam Parish fight it out. Rizzuto, a natural at Sabre has moved up the ranks to not only become one of the top junior ranked Sabreur’s but he has also dominated his way into the senior events by making it to the final of the Channel Islands Championships. Rizzuto saw off Parish by 15 points to 7.

On the other piste saw Jake Rowley, another natural Sabreur who’s sparing partners consists of UK and European ranked Sabre Champions faced Jamie Ellington. Rowley’s attacks were just too quick for Ellington taking victory 15-6.

The final was electric with some excellent high speed attacks which flowed so effortlessly. Rowley’s confidence to defend and depth of attacking actions were too much for Rizzuto who fenced bravely but admitted defeate to Rowley 15-8.

The Sarnia Sword Club is grateful to “Sports Guernsey”, Condor ferries, and All-star fencing for their sponsorship which enabled them to hold this competition. Following the Guernsey competition, the next event will be held in Plymouth on the 7 th & 8 th May.