Fernwood Fencing Club
Ed won gold in men's foil at the Leicester Open today, while James took bronze.
Fernwood also had two other fencers entered - Simon Elliot-Bateman and Luke Rutherford, for each of whom it was their first proper Open. There were 35 fencers entered.
Ed cruised through most of his poule fights, winning four 5-0 and another 5-2, but against predictions lost 4-5 to Janith Thanthulage of Loughborough University, who was clearly on form as he later went on to win a bronze medal. Ed was seeded 5th for the DEs.
James won all of his poule fights, with 4 5-1 wins, a 5-2 and a 5-3 and was seeded equal 1st for the DEs.
Simon and Luke, as unseeded fencers, found the going tougher. Simon won one of his poule fights. Both Simon and Luke took some great points off more experienced fencers, but both faced a L64 fight - unfortunately against each other, with Luke going through.
James won his L32 fight 15-0, while Ed's opponent (whom he'd beaten 5-0 in the poule) withdrew due to an injured foot. Meanwhile, Luke lost to Simon Blackwell of Loughborough University.
Ed and James weren't troubled unduly in L16, with Ed beating Mauro Ambelez 15-5 and James beating Jack Bramwell 15-4 - both being students at Loughborough University.
James then comfortably beat Kieron Patrick of Leicester University in L8, while Ed sailed through his match with cadet fencer Oliver Nash of the West Midlands, 15-3, finishing off the match with a classic flick hit.
Unfortunately the boys then met each other in the semi final. Ed led throughout, but James caught up towards the end to give Ed a scare, with Ed winning through 15-13.
The final was against Ben Shepherd of Leicester University, a very tall, thin fencer, who specialises in counter attacks. Ed took the lead from the start and maintained a comfortable 2 or 3 point gap throughout, pulling away to win 15-11.
This is James's first medal at an Open and Ed's second gold medal at an Open, so plenty to celebrate, with lots of good experience for Simon and Luke.
Ed goes off to Plovdiv in Bulgaria on Friday for the Cadet World Championships, as part of a 3 strong men's foil team.
The attached photo shows Simon, Ed, James and Luke at the end of a long day........