Mark presenting the monthly trophy to Team A winners – Tadek, Claudia and Gully.

On the final, non-rainy, Tuesday of August, with the attendance having been good throughout the summer, it was decided to hold an August Monthly Club Competition.

We had four teams of three fencers (plus one extra fencer who subbed into one of the teams), competing in a team relay; but with a twist.

Each member of the team would begin their first fight with three lives.  Every time they received a hit they would lose a life.  So, if fencer A beat fencer B, 3-1, then fencer A would progress to their next fight with two lives (having lost a life because they were hit) and fencer B would be out, leaving his other two team mates to try and survive with their three lives each and, overcome their opponents.  Simple…really!

On piste one, we had Team A of Gully, Claudia and Tadek, taking on Team B of Dave, Sandy, Kevin and Ryan.  Gully and Dave were head-to-head at 2-2, when a double hit saw them knock each other out, as they had both lost their three lives.  Next up, Ryan beat Claudia 3-1, meaning Tadek was the only team member remaining for Team A, first taking on Kevin and then, having beaten Kevin 3-1, facing Ryan, with both fencers only having two lives remaining, having both lost a life from a previous bout.  It was a close duel, with Tadek taking the spoils 2-1 and meaning Team A being crowned champions. 

On piste 2, Team C of Mark, Henry and Peter, took on Team D of Oliver, Phil and Steve.  Oliver knocked out Mark, retaining his three lives for his next bout, but his teammate Phil, was knocked out by Henry, however, Phil did manage to take a life from Henry.  Henry’s winning ways rubbed off on his final teammate, Peter.  Peter overcame Steve, but he, too, didn’t manage it completely unscathed, getting hit once and therefore losing a life.  Team D was therefore left with only Oliver (and his three lives), having to hold the fort against Team C’s Henry and Peter, with their two lives apiece.  Oliver fenced well, firstly taking out Henry from Team with a 2-1 win and then beating Peter 2-0 to make Team D victorious, and, finishing with two lives intact. 

In the third-place play-off and the final, all competitors started with their three lives each again.  In the third-place play-off, Team B took on Team C.  Mark had a magnificent fight beating his car buddy, Dave, 3-1 and knocking out the gently assassin and progressing himself, with two lives intact.  Sandy took over from Ryan and beat Henry 3-2 in a thrilling match, knocking out the fairly newly married man, but only just managing it and retaining only one life.  Next up Peter took Kevin, knocking the elder statesman out and retaining his three lives, however, they were not needed.  With only Sandy remaining for Team B, with only one life, it was always going to be an uphill struggle and, Mark landed the one hit that earned Team C of Mark, Peter and Henry, the third place, leaving Team B of Sandy, Dave, Kevin and Ryan picking up the wooden spoon. 

The final comprised Team A of Gully, Claudia and Tadek taking on Team D of Oliver, Phil and Steve.  Gully took the early lead for Team A, beating Steve 3-0 and knocking Steve out. Claudia held her ground well against Phil, narrowly losing 3-2, being knocked out, but in the process, ensuring Phil progressed with only one life.  Tadek lost to Oliver, but managed to take one of Oliver’s lives, leaving Gully to fight both men, luckily having all three lives remaining.  First up he took Phil’s only remaining life, knocking him out, but Phil had managed to land the first hit, meaning Gully versus Oliver was a two lives each apiece affair.  In a very close fought duel, Gully brought Team A to victory with a 2-1 win over Oliver. 

Team D of Steve, Phil and Oliver were named runners-up, with Team A of Claudia, Tadek and Gully crowned Champions of the August Monthly Club Competition.

It was an interesting competition and hopefully the scorer will be quicker on the uptake next time, when it comes to lives remaining!  Well done to Team A, our champions and we look forward to September’s competition – you never know we might just go back to the standard format for one competition this year (and maybe Rob will make a welcome return!).

Well done everybody and good luck for the next one!