Sharon Jones reports
Arthur Eakin was in action on Sunday at the Newham Leon Paul Junior Series Competition, competing in the U13 men's foil. This is his last LPJS in the younger year of U13 - he will be in the older year of two from January.
This was a large competition with around 50 fencers. He won 2 and lost 3 of his matches in his first poule, though it could have easily have been 3 or 4 wins, with close run losses in two fights. Arthur won 3 and lost 2 matches in the second poule, with a particularly pleasing 5-2 win over the very tall Kit King of ZFW, who had been fencing well and whom Arthur had never beaten before. Ranked 25th for the DEs, Arthur faced Sam Phillips of Allez Fencing in London in L64. It was 6-6 at the break, but Arthur changed tactics for the second period at won 10-7. He faced Indio Campbell-Yates of Fencers Club London, the 7th seed, in L32. Arthur matched Campbell-Yates hit for hit with excellent movement, disrupting his opponent's attack. However, Arthur wasn't able to keep that up throughout the fight and went out 5-10. He did well to finish around the halfway mark in a tough competition.
(The photo shows Arthur with coach Roderick and Ed, who was coaching ZFW fencers at the competition).