Three Counties League at home to Bedford.

In a nutshell, we won – but only by the depth of rust on our blades from the Christmas break. It could very easily have gone against us.

We won the Epee 6:3 with David W thankfully not dropping a bout. His last bout was, as it turned out, crucial and very close- 5:4. Philip and David R helped out, but could have done better as both lost one bout 4:5. At least Philip could blame it on the cakes (you had to be there!). Amazingly, 5 out of the 9 bouts were won/lost at 5:4.

As if that was not enough, foil was the real nailbiter contest. As is becoming the norm these days, we entered the final bout 4:4. It fell to Terry to carry the mantle to the final bout once the epee had finished. We had expected Dan to change to foil, but having just had the last epee bout with David, they decided that Emmanuel should take his place. Terry took the lead, then lost it, then regained it, then lost it. Well, you know the score. Oh you don’t yet, do you? It went to 4:4 (“as is becoming the norm”). The last point was won by Bedford. I think Terry tried to counter attack, with which he usually succeeds - but not this time. So Bedford won the foil 5:4.

Although our winning margin was only one fight across both weapons, it would have taken Bedford only two extra hits to turn the tables in their favour. Hence the second sentence above.

One doesn’t get much closer than that!

The next match is away to Milton Keynes on 20th January, ie NEXT WEEK! Philip has offered to drive, so if you are up to it please email him- treasurer(AT)sa-fc.org.uk

Snow news is good news - BUT PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE SITE

In spite of the weather as of 17:45 we still intend to fence this evening (16 Dec) and afterwards get together for some food, drink and socialising. We also will hold a very brief EGM at 9 o'clock.

PLEASE DO KEEP LOOKING HERE. If the weather gets worse or if the school tell us they're closed, we'll update the site as quickly as we can.

If you are coming, please drive carefully

EGM 16 December

Venue: Balcony, Marlborough School, 9:30 (before the Balcony do)

Introducing Junior members to the club requires us to amend categories of membership which in turn needs a change to the constitution. As part of the review we realised that the section on subscriptions doesn't really sit well with how the club currently goes about collecting fees and so we have suggested a change to reflect this. A tracked change version is available here. If you have any questions about membership changes please speak to Jon - for fee questions let Philip know.

First fixture against Luton Sword 16 Nov (away)

Four intrepid fencers went to sort out Luton: Bev, Zoe, Dave and Philip, taking the risk of fog descending either on the way there or on the return home. Luckily, we only had to contend with Philip's poor map reading, with a back up satnav system that in Bev's words had 'a mind of its own'.

Well, we did not lose, but we did not win, either. The result was a dead heat and an exact repeat of our July match, winning the epee 5:4, but losing the foil 4:5. One of our epeeists was most unfortunate in losing 4:5 three times, but it gave all of us the opportunity to experience the adrenalin rush on each of those three bouts. Actually, there was even more adrenalin provided in that the scores as we entered the final bout in each of the foil and epee was.........4:4. How weird is that?

Something very novel and most welcoming happened during the brief rest between the pools. Cakes were provided, courtesy of a Luton team member who works in a bakery. Very nice, indeed, thank you and could set the scene for subsequent home matches, I think.

Would that be a suitable enticement for other members to put their names in the hat for the next match on 2nd December, AT HOME to Bedford?

No?

Let them eat cake, then!

Fencing Club Christmas Meal!

Thursday 9th December, 7.30pm, White Lion

Hi All,

As Christmas is rapidly approaching it's time to organise the fencing club Christmas meal!
All welcome, including partners, friends and hangers-on!

Venue is the White Lion pub, just off Old-London Road in St Albans. Cost will be £25 for three courses including tip, but coffee and mince pies are £2.50 extra.
Please see Helen at the club or email social(at)sa-fc.org.uk (replace the at with @) to reserve your place.

All reservations and menu choices will need to be made by Thursday 2nd December and the cost paid in full. Menu below.

Look forward to seeing you all there,

Helen :)

Starters
Parsnip, Chilli and Parmesan Soup Served with Crusty Bread Roll
Duck Liver and Cognac Parfait With Toast and Orange and Champagne Syrup
Smoked Salmon Cannelloni Tubes of Smoked Salmon filled with Beetroot and Red Chard

Main Meals
Traditional Roast Norfolk Turkey With Seasonal Trimmings
Fillet of Scottish Salmon en Papillotte With Fennel and Lemon Ceviche Buttered New Potatoes and Watercress Purée
Brie and Asparagus Tart, With Parmesan Pastry Served with Mixed Leaves and Buttered New Potatoes

Dessert
Traditional Christmas PuddingServed warm with Brandy Butter
Cinnamon Crème Brulée..
Selection of English Cheeses with grapes and oatcakes

Freshly brewed coffee served with mince pie - £2.50 supplement

Child Membership

Please note that we plan on amending the clubs policy on members under 18.

We propose to allow members aged 15 and over to attend, but they must have a responsible adult in attendance at all times.

We appreciate that this makes a bit of a change from previous (if I recall correctly it puts us in the same position the club was in around 2000) and so we would welcome your comments.

Three Counties League (Foil & Epee)

The 2010/11 season's fixtures have just been issued and are shown below. If any member wants to be considered for either weapon at any match please email treasurer@sa-fc.org.uk.

For home matches there can be no doubling up (whereby a fencer can do both weapons), so if there are insufficient volunteers, then the Press Gang procedures will be implemented!

Away to Luton Tue 16 Nov 2010

Home to Bedford Thu 2 Dec 2010

Away to MK Thu 20 Jan 2011

Away to Watford Wed 2 Feb 2011

Home to Watford Thu 17 Feb 2011

Home to MK Thu 10 Mar 2011

Away to Bedford Tue 12 Apr 2011
Home to Luton Thu 9 June 2011

Since we only marginally won the 2009/10 season overall, the opposition will be keen to deny us holding on to the Trophy (still to be received!).

New zipper hoodies

Due to popular demand we are considering purchasing some new zipper hoodies for male and female members of the club. It's going to get colder, so why not purchase one before winter hits us.

Please speak to Helen Turner at the next fencing meet to arrange for your purchase. The zipper design hoodie is show in the image above.