Issue 154

Fencing foiled

12th March 2007

Swansea 100 - Imperial University London 135

Swansea went down to a resounding defeat on Wednesday despite their impressive season. Swansea were beaten in all three events to lose to some fiercely competitive opposition despite some high quality performances throughout the team.

There was a confident mood prior to the fight, especially considering the recent performances of some of their fencers. In the Welsh university championships the women claimed a total of 7 medals, with Lydia Johnson winning 2 gold and a bronze medal, captain Rachel Rowles earning gold and a silver.

These performances have seen both fencers called into the Welsh student 5 nations team and Lydia's performance in the closed welsh event (she won gold in the foil event) has seen her called into the full 5 nations squad. The entire Swansea squad won the British university student championship with a total haul of 9 out of a possible 18 medals.

This however was not enough to stop Imperial, who brought with them a top 4 British fencer. Swansea did not come out of the block as fast as they would have liked, and consequently soon found themselves behind. Foil was the first of the weapons to be contested and it started evenly. However Imperial gradually edged out in front, where they would stay for the remainder of the match.

Some forceful hits helped fend off Swansea, but also helped injure fencers. Lydia Johnson in particular felt the sharp end of one particularly painful hit. She was left with series of bruises up her arm and on her leg.

Despite this Swansea fought on bravely but playing catch-up proved too much as a heavy loss in the Sabre dampened the spirits , but the work ethic remained and they battled on.

However the feelings of doubt crept in and it clearly had an adverse performance on some of the best young fencers in the country.

However the best efforts of those fighting in epée, the match slipped away out of the grasp and fencing slipped out of BUSA.

Stuart Phillips