Streatham Fencing Club
Isle of Wight Fencing Trip May 2008
This was our fourth consecutive year of attendance and this time we brought down 9 fencers, a professional coach and an armourer to take care of all the equipment. We really enjoyed the weekend. The competition was efficiently run as always and the glorious May weather gave us an opportunity to enjoy the fantastic scenery and coastline the Island has to offer. Our thanks go out to Solent Swords who hosted the competition and to Clive and Sue for the friendly and attentive accommodation provided at Brighstone Holiday Centre
Nick won the Men's Foil Plate and Lara came third in the Ladies Foil Plate at her first Open. David and Neil also took part in the Foil. After the fencing some of us enjoyed the sunshine and visited Osborne House before we all headed back to Newport to join the other fencers in the comp for a meal and a few drinks.
The following day saw the Epee - Nick got a decent seeding only to run into Dudley Tredger who was slowing recovering from a hangover - Roger did enough to hold his ranking points from last year and Gavin narrowly went out in the last 16. Ewan, Neil and David came lower down the order but had a good time in the Plate (which Nick seemed to be running single-handed).
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After a late lunch we headed to the cliff tops at Compton Beach for a spot of steam sabre see pictures - after a barrage this was won by the club's President Roger who promptly awarded himself the President's Cup to mark the achievement.
After stopping off for yet more refreshments this proved to be the tipping point because as we headed home we ran into some suspension problems (as they say in Formula One) and had to lighten the load on the jalopy wagon, but eventually made it home.
