Gloucester Amateur Fencing Union

 Sabre Competition 2011

 

Members of the Cotswold Fencing Club attended the GAFU (Gloucester Amateur Fencing Union) Sabre
competition on Sunday 23rd January at Wycliffe College Sports Centre.

The county sabre was well attended this year with members from 6 of the counties clubs taking part. The Competition was initially split into 3 mixed groups .Kevin Nelson (Cotswold Fencing Club - Cheltenham), Chris Prevett (Salle Hunt-Roeder), and Mike Page (Salle Hunt-Roeder) won the groups, all without losing a fight. Mike Page was seeded into the no1 spot for the men’s direct elimination. In the first round James Brown (Cotswold) was knocked out by fellow team-mate Luke Busbridge. In the second round Kevin Nelson won fight against Neil Poad (Cotswold), but in the second against Shaun Garely (Gloucester Fencing Club) was leading the fight 12-10 when he parried Shawn’s attack and Kevin’s blade broke, and although he fought hard with a replacement blade, Shawn narrowly beat him 14-15. In the same round Bernard Geerlings (Cotswold) fenced extremely well against Chris Pevett losing to Chris, 15-12.  Chris is an experienced Veteran Fencer, and has attended the veteran’s world championships several times. In the semi-finals Chris Prevett lost to Shawn Garley 9-15, and Shawn went on to win the competition.

In the ladies DE Hannah Bingle (Cotswold) won 15-9 against Stephanie Stray (White Eagles). Unfortunately Hannah lost in the final against Michelle Neary (White Eagles) 15-12, however Hannah was leading at the break. Laura Reeves (Cotswold) won against Liz Williams (Gloucester) to gain equal third place with Stephanie.

For a number of Cotswold Fencing Club fencers this competition was their first and it was viewed great place to gain experience in fencing competitions and to see other styles of fencing.

Following mixed poules, and men's and ladies DE (direct elimination) fights, the following positions were gained by members of the club:

Mens Sabre Results:                                                            Ladies Sabre Results:

1. Shaun Garley                                                                         1. Michelle Narey
2. John Dawkins                                                                         2. Hannah Bingle (Cotswold)
3. Chris Prevett                                                                          3. Stephanie Stray  
3. John Rhode                                                                            3. Laura Reeves (Cotswold)
5. Michael Page                                                                         5. Liz Williams
6. Kevin Nelson (Cotswold)
7. Alan Pittaway
8. Bernard Gerrlings (Cotswold)
9. Jon Morris (Cotswold)
10. Robert Ponsford
11. Daniel Wide
12, Lerr Temba
13. Paul Greves
14. Neil Poad (Cotswold)
15. Tim Cale
16. Luke Busbridge (Cotswold)
17. James Brown (Cotswold)

GAFU Sabre Results in the local press.