On the final Tuesday in November, we held our last full club monthly competition of the year.  With twelve fencers in attendance, the rules for this month’s competition and the following session’s attendance rates meant that it took another three evenings to try and complete the event!

This month’s rules were:

• Fencers fence for a full minute.
• The fencer with the most hits wins (no stopping at 5 hits).
• If both fencers are tied at the end of the minute then both fencers register a loss.
• The fencer with the most wins, wins.
• In the event of a tie, most hits scored will determine the winner.
• In the event of a joint number of wins and hits scored, then hits against would be taken into account.

Dave seemed to take the early lead, winning six of his eleven completed fights, however, Claudia and Richard were not to outdone, with both fencers running at four match wins each, but still having people left to fence.  Phil was also on four wins, however, his losses included getting five, six or seven hits against three opponents, showing just how high scoring some of the matches were. 

Mark and Peter were also making their presence felt with both winning five matches each with games in hand.  Despite being a late arrival, Henry had completed six fights in quick succession and won all of them!  Steve also started strong on the first Tuesday, winning four matches, but lost momentum when we had to carry over onto the Friday, but, how unlucky do you have to be?  One of Steve’s matches was logged at a loss despite him scoring eleven hits against his opponent!

By the time we hit the third carry over session, it was decided that those present would be given a 1-0 walkover win against their absent opponent and, in the event that two opposing fencers were absent, then a 0-0 draw loss would be recorded.

Bearing this in mind, Ellora, Peter, Phil, Claudia, Steve and Henry were all awarded a one match win each by way of a walkover.  Jaina, Torran, Jake and Richard all recorded 0-0 draw losses though absence.

Overall, the clear winner was Henry; even discounting his one walkover win, no-one else came close, with him recording ten outright wins and one walkover victory – quite the victory and what a way to claim the last trophy of the year.

Dave, Peter, Phil and Claudia all tied second with six match wins each. However, Phil was awarded second place by way of the most hits scored (was that the one hit scored on the walkover win – we will never know).  Claudia and Peter both had walkover wins, which didn’t help the scoring as they both scored the same number of hits, however, going to the next level, Peter had 44 hits against him, whereas Claudia’s lesser number of 40 meant that she claimed fourth place, ahead of Peter in fifth.

Steve and Mark both amassed five wins each; but even without Steve’s 1-0 walkover win against Torran, he still placed above Mark on hits scored, leaving the two men in sixth and seventh place.

Ellora and Richard both shared four wins apiece, but with three matches recorded as loss due to absence, Ellora had the upper hand for hits scored and positioned eighth with Richard in ninth.  Had Richard been there to fight, it would have been interesting to see his true position.

Bringing up the rear were Jake in tenth; Jaina, eleventh and, Torran in twelfth positions, but as all three had been present for only the first session it would have been interesting to see how their final positions could have fared if they had fought each of their matches.

So, in conclusion, a convincing win for Henry on the final competition of 2025!  I’m sure he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in 2026 too, although the high of being a newly married man (it’s the last time I’m mentioning it, I promise!) may have worn off by then and, the 2026 competition trophy could be anyone’s victory!  Well done, Henry. 

Congratulations to all for another great year and, many thanks to Mark for being the trophy caretaker and, for all of his imaginative competition rules throughout the year – they have most definitely kept the fencers AND the scorer on their toes!  The question is; just what will he come up with for 2026?  In the meantime, to one and all, have a fabulous festive season and wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026! Ho! Ho! Ho!