For about the first time in 2026, since spring started, we managed to hold a monthly competition in, what is considered, ‘normal average’ weather conditions for the time of year. On the evening, we managed to get fourteen fencers in attendance, which made for another, rather large, poule unique.The rules for the competition were that the fencer to get three hits first was confirmed as the champion. However, as always, Mark never likes to keep it that simple! If you received the first hit, you were bound by keeping a foot on the line, unable to move back and forth along the piste. If the foot moved, then you were penalised with a hit against you, again. If you gained a hit, whilst stationary, then your opponent was forced to stay on the line and you, once again, had free reign on movement. In the event of a double hit whilst one fencer was incapacitated, all things would remain the same as before the hit. There was no passivity, meaning that the fencer with free reign had to push forward and fight and, for those who had received a hit, it was all about sword positioning and parrying. With the numbers involved, it was near impossible to complete all of the matches on the evening, so we carried over to the Friday and following Tuesday sessions. However, the final scores were done on those who had completed all fights and/or had been able to attend all sessions. The fights of those who hadn’t managed to attend the follow-up sessions (Steve, Nate and Sofia) were removed from the final points tally up. Peter and Sandy came very close to claiming the trophy, however, with Peter’s win over Sofia and, Sandy’s wins over Nate and Steve not counting, due to those opponents not being present for the follow-up sessions, Peter managed to claim second place and Sandy joint third with Ryan. Tadek had a slow evening, only managing four wins, with Kevin, Mark and Phil all behind him at three wins apiece. Dave looked to have a shocking evening, with only one win, until you take into account that he beat both Steve and Sofia (whose scores did not count towards the final) and his only counted win was a fine 3-2 victory against Sandy. Maybe Dave was still in holiday mode? That only leaves us to crown Henry as the August 2026 champion, with eight out of nine wins on the final tally, with Peter being his nemesis this month, although, it should also be noted that on the first Tuesday he suffered a 3-0 to Nate too (unfortunately, Nate’s score didn’t count in the final tally due to not being able to attend the follow up sessions).
Well done Henry – again!Hopefully, with the weather not taking a turn to being somewhat ‘normal’, we’ll be able to run some competitions to the end of the year, that allow for a longer format.Well done everyone, there were some great matches, great hits and great banter yet again and we’ll see you all for the next competition at the end of September.Well done, Henry!
