Milton Keynes Vs St Albans 28 Jan
Unfortunately, this third fixture result was a long way removed from our dead heat last week with Bedford. The Epee team of Jason, Tim and David managed a competent 5:4 victory. There were no marginal results and Tim's heels were much quieter! It was a bit unnerving to see a named jacket with 'WAL' underneath it, but a few discreet enquiries informed us that the opponent was 'merely' a sabreur. Jason managed a vital clean sweep and the exercise helped him along the road in recovering his former svelte figure (last seen in the 1990's?!).
Matters went downhill after that, convincingly losing the foil 7:2.
With the team initially comprising Philip and James, David was persuaded to swap his epee for a proper sword and 'get on with it'. Unfortunately (that word again, so you probably guess what is coming next) Mr 'WAL' doubled up on foil, too! But David promptly stood up to the mark and scored both our victories.
Convincingly lost the foil? Well, let's look at that in a bit more detail, shall we? Were there any 'marginal' defeats? Yes- two, with both lost by Philip.
So............ if Philip had turned them into 5:4 VICTORIES,
then.........? OK, stop right there! I know where you are going with this one- the foil score would still have been a defeat, but 4:5, not 2:7, right?
Yes. And then............? Oh, no! It would have been another dead heat; Bedford all over again! Calculators at five paces, anyone???
Remember: "the fencing is not over until the 5:4 loser swings!" (or is that whinges? ED)
The next fixture is 24 February; away to Watford.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Match report - Jan 24th
St Albans vs Bedford Jan 24
In our second outing of the season we achieved a dead heat, losing the epee 2:7, winning the foil 7:2, but with indicators across both weapons at -18 and +18. How unlikely or unlucky is that? The scoresheets have therefore been passed to the Three Counties Organiser for adjudication.
Watch this space- although he might decide to do nothing and leave it to our return match in May.
Bedford's Russ, Graham and Adam fenced epee first against Jason, Tim and David. Most of this happened whilst two thirds of the foil team were doing maintenance work on the storage cupboard doors. After their convincing win, Bedford then changed over to foil. My recollection is that Adam was the more controlled, innovative and faster moving team member and probably caused our teams more of a headache. To be fair, Liam H had mentioned a few weeks ago that the Bedford foilists were becoming stronger (previously it had a predominance in epee and sabre).
With the foil comprising Andy, Philip and Ben, it was Ben that got the only clean sweep of the evening, with a fine display of his close quarters swordplay. Some of you may recall this at our Open Air last September (there are still some photos on the website).
With no bones, blood vessels, boxes or blades broken, I suppose you could call that a result in itself!
Since I do not have the scoresheets, I do not know how close the bouts were. The same teams may, therefore, have to be fielded at the next match by default- unless more of you are interested in putting your name forward!?
Let Philip know.
In our second outing of the season we achieved a dead heat, losing the epee 2:7, winning the foil 7:2, but with indicators across both weapons at -18 and +18. How unlikely or unlucky is that? The scoresheets have therefore been passed to the Three Counties Organiser for adjudication.
Watch this space- although he might decide to do nothing and leave it to our return match in May.
Bedford's Russ, Graham and Adam fenced epee first against Jason, Tim and David. Most of this happened whilst two thirds of the foil team were doing maintenance work on the storage cupboard doors. After their convincing win, Bedford then changed over to foil. My recollection is that Adam was the more controlled, innovative and faster moving team member and probably caused our teams more of a headache. To be fair, Liam H had mentioned a few weeks ago that the Bedford foilists were becoming stronger (previously it had a predominance in epee and sabre).
With the foil comprising Andy, Philip and Ben, it was Ben that got the only clean sweep of the evening, with a fine display of his close quarters swordplay. Some of you may recall this at our Open Air last September (there are still some photos on the website).
With no bones, blood vessels, boxes or blades broken, I suppose you could call that a result in itself!
Since I do not have the scoresheets, I do not know how close the bouts were. The same teams may, therefore, have to be fielded at the next match by default- unless more of you are interested in putting your name forward!?
Let Philip know.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We resume activities on 7th January 2010 - provided we don't get the type of weather we had last Thursday (We hope
We resume activities on 7th January 2010 - provided we don't get the type of weather we had last Thursday (We hope
everyone got back alright)
See you all on Thursday 7th January 2010
Membership renewals
The social membership cards for the latest beginners course have arrived (We'll distribute at the next club night 7th January 2010 and thereafter).
We would also like to remind you to check that you have up-to-date BFA membership and hence insurance cover.
Basically, you have to renew your membership every 12 months. Social membership needs to be renewed through the club (ie, via David Reid) but you can take out/ re-new full membership online
directly. (Generally speaking, if you intend to fence competitively at a number of venues then you should be taking out full membership.)
Friday, 18 December 2009
Fencing in the snow
When is snow like a pizza? When it's deep and crisp and even.
What a strange night's fencing that was! We had to call a halt early - the school hall was going to be shut because of the snow that had fallen.
As it was the last session of the year, we were due to hold a social get together afterwards - this turned into a cross between speed dating and the world pie eating competition - Lets do it again next year.
At 10PM it looked like something from Scott of the Antarctic, I hope everyone got home safely.
What a strange night's fencing that was! We had to call a halt early - the school hall was going to be shut because of the snow that had fallen.
As it was the last session of the year, we were due to hold a social get together afterwards - this turned into a cross between speed dating and the world pie eating competition - Lets do it again next year.
At 10PM it looked like something from Scott of the Antarctic, I hope everyone got home safely.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Match report, 24th November - away to Luton
Match report - 24 November - away to Luton
This was our first fixture of the 2009/10 Three Counties League comprising five clubs within Bed, Bucks and Herts. It was a disappointing start to our retention of the trophy for the third consecutive year, but it is early days and we will not give up without a fight or two (seven, to be precise).
First off was the epee, comprising David, Tim and Hazel and Philip combining as third fencer. Although we won 5:4, four of the nine bouts were 5:4, but only one being in our favour. Not much change since the last report, then, you may say. We were, though, fielding Tim for the first time (step forward, that man) and what a great start to his new found career as an epeeist! It was truly a sight to behold, with Tim controlling the whole piste, renewing attack after attack, until his opponents simply ran out of room to retreat. We hope the heels were not too sore the next day, Tim - they certainly sounded painful! Well done.
Foil was not as entertaining, although fencing suppliers will be pleased with our efforts, as three blades were broken. It should have been four, but Philip's newish Leon Paul blade refused to succumb to an honourable break, but continued throughout pretending to be made from lead. Don't forget to buy a replacement blade for James', Philip! Even though we also fielded James and Hazel, Luton again fielded their old veteran, Geoff, who won all his three bouts. We really must find a way around his effective parries and retreating footwork. Any ideas, Liam? Oh no, not more footwork and first counter riposte exercises?
Do you want to give sweat and bloody beers for SAFC? If so, put your name in the bag - you know where we are!
This was our first fixture of the 2009/10 Three Counties League comprising five clubs within Bed, Bucks and Herts. It was a disappointing start to our retention of the trophy for the third consecutive year, but it is early days and we will not give up without a fight or two (seven, to be precise).
First off was the epee, comprising David, Tim and Hazel and Philip combining as third fencer. Although we won 5:4, four of the nine bouts were 5:4, but only one being in our favour. Not much change since the last report, then, you may say. We were, though, fielding Tim for the first time (step forward, that man) and what a great start to his new found career as an epeeist! It was truly a sight to behold, with Tim controlling the whole piste, renewing attack after attack, until his opponents simply ran out of room to retreat. We hope the heels were not too sore the next day, Tim - they certainly sounded painful! Well done.
Foil was not as entertaining, although fencing suppliers will be pleased with our efforts, as three blades were broken. It should have been four, but Philip's newish Leon Paul blade refused to succumb to an honourable break, but continued throughout pretending to be made from lead. Don't forget to buy a replacement blade for James', Philip! Even though we also fielded James and Hazel, Luton again fielded their old veteran, Geoff, who won all his three bouts. We really must find a way around his effective parries and retreating footwork. Any ideas, Liam? Oh no, not more footwork and first counter riposte exercises?
Do you want to give sweat and bloody beers for SAFC? If so, put your name in the bag - you know where we are!
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Christmas meal
We're not fencing on Thursday - we're getting fat instead. 7:30 PM at the Portland Arms Pub for our sitdown Christmas meal (which you've all of course booked with Hazel!).
Portland Arms is off the Verulam Rd on the way out of St Albans towards Redbourn AL3 4RA http://theportlandarmspub.co.uk
If you've any questions please get hold of Hazel on social@sa-fc.org.uk
See you there.
Portland Arms is off the Verulam Rd on the way out of St Albans towards Redbourn AL3 4RA http://theportlandarmspub.co.uk
If you've any questions please get hold of Hazel on social@sa-fc.org.uk
See you there.
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