2024 – A Round Up…So Far…
Well, what a year it has been so far, and I’m not referring to the fencing! Alongside house work, the car dying, repairs, the children and work and all the other bits that crop up in-between, the reporting of fencing events has sadly had to take a back seat for a bit, sorry. However, there have been a few events to date and although I don’t have all the results of those events that we missed and, I can’t provide a commentary because I wasn’t there and too much time has passed on for anyone to remember, I’ll do my best to provide an update and hopefully some information! Apologies if it’s brief and bigger apologies if I’ve made any errors, am lacking the relevant info, or have missed anybody and/or their event! So, here goes:
Leon Paul Event, London – early 2024
Friday night stalwart, Kevin, made the awful journey to Leon Paul, back at the beginning of 2024, to represent Gravesham at the Leon Paul event in North London. Although not a medallist on this occasion he competed well and was pleased with his final placing.
British Veterans Fencing Competition, Guildford – January 2024
In January 2024, Stephen Haley, Kevin Parker and James Fleming-Fido all competed at Guildford in the Vets epee competition. With all men being in Category 3 of the Vets, it was lucky that they didn’t ‘meet’ during the competition. With an international field, there were four poules of seven fencers and three poules of six fencers. Kevin had a tough poule, including against the 3rd place finisher. Unable to win a duel, he scored in all but two matches, leaving him as the overall 45th seed. Steve had an equally tough poule and despite not winning a match, he did score in each fight, giving him a better indicator and giving him a seeding of 44th for the tableau. James fared slightly better, in a poule of six fencers, winning three out of five battles and giving him a seeding of 20th. Much to Kevin’s dislike the seeding cast him against James in the first round of the tableau (well, you do prefer to fight someone you don’t see every week!), and James came out the victor 10 v 6. However, the next fight was to be the end of James run too, as, by coincidence, he too was then knocked out with a 10 v 6 scoreline. Just like Kevin, Steve was up against someone seeded about 20places higher than him, but he managed to scrape through with a 10 v 9 victory, which pitched him against the number 12 seed for the next round of the tableau. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and the 12th seed beat Steve 10 v 1, to retain his 12th seeding overall. The final results for the Gravesham boys were as follows: James 25th, Stephen 32nd and Kevin 45th. Well done all and keep flying the flag for Gravesham!
South East Region Senior Epee, Brighton – March 2024
Having fought the roadworks between J5-J6 on the M25 and then the delight that is the M23, both Phil and Sofia made it Brighton for the South East Region Senior Epee Championships. Unfortunately, although Steve was down to enter, illness scuppered his chances for attending the event. Unable to find a comprehensive results list online, I can only delight readers with the news that Phil finished 21st overall and, get ready to cheer, Sofia finished in 2nd place with the silver medal to her name. Well done to both and a special congratulations to Sofia and her podium finish!
Invicta Open, University of Kent – March 2024
With Steve returning from illness, he joined Phil and Kevin for a day down at the University of Kent for the Invicta Epee Open. Unfortunately, the results of this are not online, so nothing to share, although well done to the lads for keeping Gravesham on the competition map, especially so, as in previous years Joe Joyner, the club vice-captain, has been the champion. No such luck for the spoils this, year, but hopefully, when baby Albie has given Joe a full night’s sleep, he might well be back to reclaim his title! Next year’s team might be slightly larger, as I’m sure most took the day to pamper themselves in advance of Dave’s big ‘6-0’ celebrations on the same evening. It sounded like a fantastic night, but now back to the fencing!
Kent Senior Epee Championships, Canterbury – April 2024
A group of five from Gravesham made their way down the M2 on a lovely Sunday morning for the Kent Senior Epee Championships of 2024. Again, no online results for this one, so the commentary is going to be short and sweet, but suffice to say Phil finished 8th (with the rest of the team telling the club at the following session that he was ‘on fire’ the whole day), Steve in 14th (but was later to come down with a vile cold and take several club sessions off with the illness), Dave was 18th and Kevin in 23rd overall. Sofia held up the female end and saw her come home with a well-deserved 10th place finish. Well done to all, but can we keep the team photo more professional for future reference (well done to Dave and Sofia for giving the club some credibility)!
