1 minute read
Fencing
from May 1955
by StPetersYork
J. 0. R. Penman (Capt.) R. D. Beckitt ... ... P. M. Hewson ... J. B. Huzzard ••• N. J. Bell ... ... R. Atkinson ... M. T. Powell ... A. C. Stubbs ... 83.40 82.80 77.33 78.60 80.50 79.90 77.90 74.70
Fencing this term has continued to hold much the same position as it did last; the main support still comes from the lower part of the School, amongst whom are some very keen and promising swordsmen.
We managed to have two fixtures, both against York Fencing Club. The first was at home, with a team of four foilists and three of the other weapons, when we beat them by 19 bouts to 15. As a result of this match, colours were re-awarded to R. N. Worsley, and awarded to M. G. Hancock, P. A. Morris and D. J. Cook.
At the return match, however, York, having reduced the foil team by one, paid us back with interest, beating us 19 bouts to 8. It was our own fault, since our earlier success had made us careless and we had done no specially intensive training; whereas our opponents had obviously prepared carefully and fully deserved to win.
The last fencing event, however, took place after the term was over—a team of five volunteers went to try their luck at the [Public Schools Fencing Championships, held at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington. Unfortunately, the Science 'Exhibition upset practice times, and none of the team had touched a weapon seriously for at least a week when the 'Championships began. That, and the unusual number of left-handers taking part, put us at rather a disadvantage.
Those who represented the School were :-
A. G. D. Staines (Capt.)—Foil, Epee, Sabre.
R. N. Worsley—Foil. D. J. Cook—Sabre. J. Russell—Junior Foil, Epee. P. J. Burton—Junior Foil, Epee.
On the first day neither Staines nor Worsley survived the first round of the foil, Staines feeling especially out of his depth when called upon to face an opponent approximately seven feet tall. Russell and 'Burton upheld the School's name in the Junior Foil by reaching the second and third rounds respectively. On the second day Staines and 'Russell went out in the first round, but Burton survived to the
