Cadet Team
Junior Team
The 12th-19th July saw our Cadet & Junior Squad out in Christchurch, NZ for the 2024 Commonwealth Championships.
The cadet squad came together on 10th July, preparing at a local training venue. After 2 training sessions to shake the flight out of the legs and prepare for the event, day 1 of competition saw Thandile Nash in CWF winning 5 of her 6 poule fights to be ranked 5th. She had a bye into the L16, then came up against a strong English fencer, and despite her best efforts and some great fencing, went out 15-10.
Day 2 was a busy one, with CMF, CWE and CWS all in action.
In a high-class field, the foil boys acquitted themselves well. Oskar Picton-Tully and Theo Craig secured wins in the poules and both won their first DE before fighting hard in the L32. Oskar just missed out, losing 15-14 to the no.5 fencer after the poule, and Theo had the misfortune to come up against his team-mate Alexander James. Alexander won that all-Wales fight and fought brilliantly throughout the day to secure a place in the final. Here he came up a against a very talented Singaporean fencer who showed his class to dominate and win the fight. Nevertheless, Alexander brought home our first medal of the event, a well-celebrated Silver!
CWE saw Ffion Shute and Eloise Russell in action. Despite a tough day in the poule for Eloise, she rallied strongly in her DE, narrowly losing to the 6th ranked fencer after the poules 15-13. Ffion fenced to a consistently high level throughout the day, winning her first DE 15-5, second DE 15-10 to meet the Indian no.1 seed in the L8. In the tightest of fights, and with just 2 seconds left in the priority minute, the Indian fencer found a way through Ffion’s defences to score the crucial hit and go through.
In CWS, our sole fencer Ava Davies had a strong poule, winning all her fights. She then progressed through 2 DE’s, winning 15-9 and 15-6 to reach the semi-final. There she came up against a strong Australian fencer, pushing her all the way, but falling to a 15-7 defeat, and a thoroughly deserved Bronze medal.
On day 3 we had no team events, but day 4 saw CMF and CWE in team action.
The boys had a tough draw against a strong Malaysian team. With the scores equal at the half-way stage, hopes of a win were high, but the Malaysians showed their strength and pulled away to secure the win with a final score of 45-33 and went on to secure 3rd place.
With only 2 epeeists in the team, the Ffion and Eloise called on the services of our sabreur, Ava to enter a CWE team. After a crash course in epee the previous day, Ava acquitted herself admirably, using her sabre footwork and timing to score many hits against their New Zealand opposition. With a final score of 45-32 to the New Zealanders who went on to secure 3rd place, the girls should be proud of their efforts.
Now the juniors entered the fray, with James Hughes and Morfran Snare in the JME, and Eiger Swinscow in the JMS. Both epee boys secured wins in the poules and byes into the L32. At this stage they came up against some strong opposition. James was up against the 3rd ranked fencer and Morfran the 11th, which were going to be big asks. The boys fought for every point, but should be proud of their performances, going out with scores of 15-7 and 15-10 respectively.
In JMS, Eiger secured 2 wins in his poule, giving him a bye in the L64 and a L32 fight against the 8th ranked fencer. He fought valiantly, but in an exciting finish, just missed out, with the final score 15-14.
Day 6, was a busy day, with fencers in action in all 3 events.
JMF saw Harri Picton-Tulley join the existing squad of Alexander, Oskar and Theo, with all boys picking up wins in their poules, but unfortunately, Alexander had to withdraw during the poule. This left Harri, Oskar and Theo in the L64. Despite strong performances, Oskar and Theo were knocked out at this stage, but Harri secured a good win and then met the 6th ranked fencer who dominated the fight to knock Harri out.
In JWE, Amelie Russell joined the squad, adding to Ffion and Eloise also entering the junior event. Amelie won 5 of her 6 poule fights, giving her a bye to the L16. Here she came up against a similarly strong Kiwi fencer, losing 15-11. In the L32, Eloise fought well, but lost 15-8, but the story of the day was Ffion. In her L32 she beat the cadet bronze medallist 15-11. The L16 saw her face the no.2 ranked fencer, and she defeated her also 15-11. In the L8, Ffion fought a very smart fight, keeping it tight right up to the last minute. Going 1 point behind meant that she had to attack, but despite her best efforts, a series of double hits meant that her opponent stayed in front, eventually winning 15-12.
In JWS, Ava was in action, winning 2 poule fights to secure a L32 fight which she won 15-10. She then came up against a fellow GBR fencer, and despite her best efforts could not find a way through, eventually going down 15-3.
In the final 2 days, teams were entered in the JME, JMF, JWE and JWS.
Again, the epee team were supported by a sabreur. In this case, it was Eiger that had a crash course the day before the event, ably supporting James and Morfran. The boys fought for every point, but were ultimately out-done 45-18 by a strong N Zealand team.
In JMF, the boys faced a competitive N Ireland team in the L16, and all fought well to lead throughout the match and pull away at the end, finishing 45-30 winners. This meant they came up against a very strong Singaporean team in the L8, fighting for every point, but ultimately going out 45-14.
JWE had a tough match against the eventual silver medallists N Zealand. Keeping it tight at the beginning, girls fought well, but the Kiwis pulled away through the middle for the fight to finish 46-26 to N Zealand.
Throughout the event, all fencers truly entered into the spirit of the Commonwealths, with the support from the whole squad as loud as ever for whichever Welsh fencer was on piste.They represented Wales with pride, had great respect for organisers, competitors and officials, and have made many new friends from across the Commonwealth.
There’s aways a team that supports these events, and I would like to express my thanks to the board for the logistical and financial support that we give our fencers. In addition, a special thanks goes to the team coach, Phil Shepherd-Foster. The support he gave the team both on and off the piste cannot be underestimated. As an experienced international coach, the plans he put in place to create the best environment and preparation for our fencers enabled them to deliver their best and live and breathe the values of top-level sport. Finally, a huge thanks to the fencers themselves for embracing what a major championship is all about. The attitude and performances they delivered was of the highest standard, for which we must also thank you parents.
Matt Russell
Chair - Welsh Fencing