Starting Positions

Rothschild Mixed Foil League May 2008

Rosie Milner a 17-year-old student at Ladies College won the last competition in the Rothschild mixed foil league of the fencing season. At 5’ 3” she was certainly the most vertically challenged fencer in the top league, but she won four out of her five fights against all male competition and only wily Meyrick Simmonds bested her. She is only the second woman to win this an event in this mixed league and we have to go back to April 2001 when Naveen Rahman took her second victory to make a significant mark for women’s fencing prowess. This win catapults Rosie into third place overall after the seven events of this season.

The winner over the seasons fencing is Rupert Sewards on 496, with Meyrick Simmonds in second place with 489. Rosie is third on 487. The second placed woman was Daisy Stevens on 447. In the battle for third place Gail Childs won in the final straight on 420 narrowly edging out Carol Wood who was the favourite for the bronze but missed it by two points. Marcel de Garis is the third man on 496 a tantalising one hit behind Rosie Milner.

In the top league Rosie won four out of her five fights to gain the top spot. Her defence is staggeringly successful and her ripostes accurate in the extreme. Ross Martel took the second place with three wins & a six-point advantage over Marcel de Garis who came third also with three wins. Meyrick Simmonds was fourth. Attila Stanitz was fifth with two wins and Rob Harnish sixth with a single victory. Attila & Rob are relegated to the second division at the start of next season.

In division two Adam Bonner, Matthew Hale & Daisy Stevens tied on three victories each. After the hits were counted Adam on +13 easily won with Matthew on +7 a single hit ahead of unlucky Daisy Stevens. Gail Childs & Wendy Batiste were relegated.

Pierre Ozanne dominated the third division as well he should being the current holder of the Island Championships & the Channel Island Championships. He won all his fights with an impressive 20-7 hits difference without really trying. Second was Thomas Dorey, third Andy Higgs, fourth Henry Wallis & fifth Carol Wood.

This was the last event of the season & club officials are now looking forward to next year’s events and are planning them for the benefit of the clubs fencers.

 David Redhead Rothschild Mixed Foil League Organiser

Tel No 253504 Fax 258040.