EDITORIAL
Well it’s been a long time in the making but here it is, the first edition of REPRISE for 2001. As you know I went to Bosnia in January, hence the delay in the release of this issue, and I had every intention of going to print immediately upon my return. Unfortunately, absence from the fencing world doesn’t necessarily make the heart grow fonder … at least as far as Editors of a certain fencing magazine are concerned. Let’s just say that articles didn’t exactly flood in whilst I was away overseas!!!
Being the perfectionist that I am, I held off publication, sure that one day the articles would come flooding in … and before I knew it summer had almost gone, we’d had both the Seniors and the Inter Services and the One Hit was just around the corner. Doesn’t time fly etc etc …
Anyway, my posting is now completed (see change of address later in this issue) and I’ve decided that I can’t put this off any longer. So, many thanks to all those people who did send in articles, and a plea to those who didn’t; if you go to a civvy competition, have something you want to say, or have some interesting news that you think other fencers would be interested in, send it to me. I’ll never turn anything away!
Well that’s enough of the nagging … what have we got in this issue? We’ve got the results of this years Seniors and Inter Services competitions, an interesting article on what makes a fencer, and some congratulations to certain members of the fencing fraternity. Enjoy.
2001: A SENIORS ODYSSEY
The Seniors were held this year at Cosford in May and they were to turn out to be both hectic and highly enjoyable, with a strong turn-out by both old fencers and new.
The men’s competition started with the foil and twenty-six fencers entered. The computer threw out some interesting poules for the seeding round and the first surprise of the day came when Sqn Ldr George Liston (RAF Bentley Priory) found himself seeded 8th. Cpl Dave Long (RAF Odiham) however received the biggest surprise of the day as he found himself No.1 seed. The two then met in the quarter-finals with George taking the win 15-7. In the semi-finals George Liston took on Flt Lt Rauri Henderson-Begg (RAF Lossiemouth) in a close and well- balanced match, eventually taking the win 15-10. In the other match, Flt Lt Jon Davy (RAF Coltishall) took an early 5 point lead against Flt Lt James Griffiths (RAF Benson) only to see his lead slowly dissolve as James fought back. In a very entertaining match James overturned the deficit and took the win 15-14 to place himself in the final against George Liston. George seemed to step up a gear at this point to take the victory and the foil title by the decisive margin of 15-6.
Whilst the men competed for the foil title, the ladies competition began with the sabre. Sgt Ashley Newing (RAF St Mawgan) took the No.1 seeding and in her quarter-final match against Cpl Lisa Taylor (JSU Northwood) comfortably took the win 15-2. A harder fight against No.4 seed SAC Debbie MacDonald (RAF Waddington) faced Ashley in the semi-final, but she rallied and took the victory 15-10. Sqn Ldr Ann Gibson (HQSTC), seeded 3rd,comfortably beat Flt Lt Stephanie Keenan 15-5 to set up a semi-final match against Flt Lt Lynette Bolton (RAF Bruggen). Another hard fight ensued, with Ann taking the victory 15-9 to secure her place in the final. Both Ann and Ashley fought extremely well, with Ashley gradually drawing out in front before taking the win and the sabre title 15-10.
With the competition running over two days instead of the usual three the men had a short rest before moving onto the sabre. Twenty-two fencers entered and Sgt Mark Gumley (RAF Halton) maintained his position as one of the RAF’s top sabreurs by securing the No.1 seeding. Sqn Ldr Steve Jackman (MOD DIS), in his last RAFFU competition before leaving the Service, struggled in his poule; winning fights but giving away too many points to end up a disappointing No.6 in the seeding. Cpl Ian Spencer (RAF Cosford) also had a disappointing seeding round, but in a thrilling quarter-final match against Cpl Phil McNulty (RAF Oakhanger), seeded 5th, his experience and determination came through as he took the victory 15-12. Steve Jackman now found himself up against Flt Lt Andy Cooke (RAF Oakhanger) and found himself 5 points adrift, before rallying to take the victory 15-11. Mark Gumley started strongly in his semi-final against Ian Spencer but Ian's determination carried him through 15-11. Steve Jackman met Cpl Dave Long (RAF Odiham) in his semi-final match, narrowly taking the win 15-11 against his more energetic opponent. In the final however, the determination and hard work Ian Spencer had put into the previous matches took its toll as an old leg injury hampered his movement, a fact seen in the final score-line as Steve took the victory and sabre title 15-3.
The ladies also had just enough time to rest and change into their foil kit before fencing began in their foil competition. Good results in the poule ensured that SAC Sharon Booth (RAF Brize Norton) gained the No.1 seeding before eliminating Ashley Newing in the quarter-final 15-2. A semi-final match against Ann Gibson however saw the No.1 seed lose 14-9 as the clock ran out. Fg Off Alex Maclaren (RAF Lossiemouth), in her last RAFFU competition, was seeded No.2 and easily dispatched Debbie MacDonald 15-0 to take her place in a semi-final match against Lynette Bolton. This proved to be one of the most exciting matches of the weekend as Alex narrowly scraped through 15-14. The final between Alex and Ann was another close run thing, with both fencers exchanging hits. Eventually though Ann ran out the winner and took the foil title 15-13.
After a good nights rest, the following morning brought both men’s and ladies epee competitions. The men’s event saw Flt Lt Pete McKenzie-Brown (RAF Leconfield) step out from behind the Director of Combats desk to participate and take the coveted No.1 seeding, while SAC Roger Honeywood (RAF Odiham) in his very first competition was seeded 5th. SAC Rob Desforges (LATCC) then gave the No.1 seed a scare in the quarter-final as he came back from 3-12 down, eventually losing 15-10. Flt Lt Andy Alcock (RAF High Wycombe) also struggled in his quarter-final match against Dave Long, narrowly winning 15-13. In the semi-final matches, Pete McKenzie-Brown fought hard and vocally against Jon Davy, losing the fight 15-14 on a double-hit, while George Liston had to fight hard to overcome an in-form Andy Alcock 15-10. The final was an extremely entertaining match, with Jon Davy leading for the majority of the fight until George pulled the pace up one notch to take the victory and epee title 15-12.
Over in the ladies event, it was Alex Maclaren who took the No.1 spot after the seeding round. A 15-2 win over AC Brigette Morgan (RAF Cosford) saw Alex take her place in the semi-finals. Lynette Bolton was seeded No.2 but struggled against Ashley Newing in the quarter-final, narrowly losing 15-13. While Ann Gibson beat Lisa Taylor 13-9 on time to take her semi-final place, the most interesting match was the quarter-final between Sharon Booth and Debbie MacDonald. With neither fencing willing to take the initiative, the clock was run out giving Sharon the victory 5-4 after 9 minutes of fencing. The semi-final match between Alex and Ann was almost a repeat of their foil final, with neither fencer giving an inch, but eventually Ann drew ahead to take the victory 15-12. Sharon however, obviously well-rested after her fight with Debbie, ran out the winner against Ashley 15-6. The clock once again decided the victor of the final, with both fencers tentatively searching for openings, and Sharon gained the title 9-7 after running out the clock.
The Men's Champion at Arms trophy was narrowly won by Sqn Ldr George Liston with two weapon wins. George's failure to place in the last 8 of the sabre however meant that Cpl Dave Long's last 8 placings in each weapon left George only two points clear in what was the closest competition for some time. With one weapon win and two second places, the Women's Champion at Arms title went to Sqn Ldr Ann Gibson with 22 points. Despite victory in the epee, SAC Sharon Booth's 5th in sabre and 3rd in foil left her 4 points adrift in second place.
With the fencing over it was presentation time, and in addition to the weapon trophies several extra awards were made. This year the Tindall-Carill-Worsley Brassard for the most promising male fencer was awarded to Jnr Tech Gary Brailsford from RAF Coltishall. The Williams Rose Bowl for the most promising female fencer was awarded to SAC Debbie MacDonald from RAF Waddington. The Howard Travis Memorial Quaich, in memory of Cpl Howard Travis who was tragically killed whilst fencing, is presented to the Junior fencer who produces the best result at Senior Epee. This year the Quaich was awarded to LAC Paul Hosking from RAF Wittering.
WHAT MAKES A FENCER?
By Flt Lt Andy Cooke
There are three types of fencer: epeeists, sabreurs, and foilists. Fencers tend to prefer the company of their own kind, sometimes going so far as to restrict club membership to proponents of a specific weapon or style. Moreover, each group has its own distinctive style of dress and behaviour, which sets them apart from the others. Sabreurs - or "sabreurs" fence sabre - a single-edged weapon characterised by sudden charges and wide, slashing attacks. Sabreurs prefer tight black leather clothing. Studded collars and wristbands are also quite common, as well as dog collars, leather hoods, multiply- pierced body parts and grotesque or obscene tattoos. While many wear highly polished pointed-toed boots with silver toe-caps and spurs, most prefer heavier stomping' boots of the Doc Marten variety.
Sabre fencers tend to be more heavily built than the other two. In sharp contrast to the casual brutality of the epeeists, or the studied, exquisite cruelties practised by foil fencers, sabreurs are most often prone to random behaviour. Screaming is a common manifestation of this, and the source of much amusement for groups of sabreurs out on the town. (Particularly when touring libraries, museums, retail outlets, and hospital wards.) Occasionally a sabre fencer will leap without warning into heavy traffic. His compatriots will generally take advantage of the ensuing confusion to loot the nearest music store.
Epeeists are tall. Very tall. A group of very tall men and women lounging on a street corner are either basketball players or epeeists. The difference is that basketball players will help a little old lady across the street, while epeeists are more likely to take her purse and throw her over. There is no real epee "costume", except that they tend to wear tracksuits and shave their heads. Their women are the most beautiful of all the fencing women, but also the most likely to knife random passers-by and take their wallets.
All epeeists wear very expensive running shoes, which they have invariably stolen. It is a mark of shame in the epee subculture to wear legally purchased footwear. Naturally this is difficult to ascertain merely by looking, and of course asking about it can lead to other complications.
Foilists tend towards bright colours and flashy outfits. White sports jackets with pink shirts, gold chains and floppy white hats are common foilist attire. Foilists are usually smaller and slighter than their colleagues in the other weapons. This has bred in them a furious temperament and a tendency to pick fights with
anybody at any time for any reason.
It is said of foilists that if the chips on their shoulders were any bigger they could fly to tournaments on the next stiff breeze. Certainly it is true that after a night on the town any given 5' 6" foilist considers himself a match for any two members of the local police department. Additionally, foilists have a thing for knives - not surprising, given the nature of their sport. Most foil fencers carry at least one secreted about their persons, which they are prone to pull on people who upset them. Bar staff take note: junior and cadet-age foilists invariably become upset at persons asking them to provide proof of age at licensed drinking establishments.
Unlike epeeists and sabreurs, few foilists will stoop to common looting or shoplifting to support their lifestyle. Extortion, protection rackets, and credit card fraud are their thing. And while a sabre fencer might bodily throw a blind person in front of a bus, the more subtle foilist will merely suggest to one that it is now safe to cross. It is this delicacy of disposition, combined with a propensity towards sudden, directed violence, which makes the average group of foilists walking down the street as cunning and as dangerous as a bag full of mutant wolverines. Certainly it is this last group which is most to be avoided when travelling the streets of any fair city during a tournament weekend.
So much for the merits of the *fencers*. As to the merits of the *weapons*:
Foils are light. You can fit lots of them in a fencing bag, which is good because their wires are always boinging out of the channels and their points are always broken. Foilists look like terriers carrying sticks when they have foils in their hands; in fact foilists look like terriers period. Foils are extremely bent. Foils look the least like an actual weapon of the three. With their skinny wriggly blades and their layers of peeling tape, they look like something a kid would make up to fight with in a treehouse, while other kids jeered. The merit of the foil is that you can really fly with it.
Epees are big and stiff and heavy. This is too bad because epeeists have to carry about twenty in order to have two working weapons on the strip. Epees actually look sort of like weapons, and epeeists fence as if they were really weapons, trying hard to avoid getting hit. This is because epees leave a bruise the size of a grapefruit on your thigh. Epeeists, unlike foilists, do not look like terriers. They look like middle management just about to tell you that you have been downsized. Although epees do look like weapons and epeeists pride themselves on the common sense nature of their sport, I wish to point out that it is possible to score a touch on the floor, the scoring table, or the director and have it count if everybody isn't watching like a hawk. The merit of the epee is that you can score really evil touches.
Sabres have big bell guards but skinny little blades, and sabres are as light as foils. This ought to give the weapon an inferiority complex, but sabre fencers do not notice this. You can tell if someone is destined to be a sabre fencer because he will get a hypnotized, happy expression when he first picks one up, and is also wont to say, "This is reaaaaaaally cool!" and strike out randomly with it. The sabre is what little kids pretend they have when they fence with rulers in the hallway at school. It is basically an electrified stick, but don't tell the sabre fencers. The merit of the sabre is <hypnotized, happy expression> that it is reaaaaally cool . . .
CONGRATULATIONS TO ...
It’s always nice when good things happen to people you know. It’s even nicer when those people are fencers. Over the past few months the fencing fraternity has had more than it’s fair share of good news, as follows:
Ashley Newing, stalwart behind the scenes of RAF Fencing, gained her well-deserved promotion to Flight Sergeant.
Debbie MacDonald received her promotion to Corporal
on Monday 25th June, just in time for the Inter Services.
RAFFU would also like to congratulate Carol and Miles Avery on the birth of Alice Emma Kate.
Alice was born at Treliske Hospital Truro at 21:44 hrs on Thursday 9 Aug 01 and weighed in at 9lbs.
(How could something so cute and well behaved come from Carol?)
Andy Cooke and his wife Sigrid also became the proud parents of a new daughter, Rebecca, in the week prior to the Inter Services. (Sorry there's no picture of the baby, just Andy!) Is it something to do with the out of date squash we serve up at RAFFU events that brought on this rash of pregnancies?
And finally congratulations to Mark Gumley on his recent marriage to Mandy. Those of us who attended all had an absolutely fantastic time, and who would have thought that Mark, often referred to as “the essence of cool” due to his perpetual goatee and resolute refusal to tuck a shirt in would actually scrub up so well!!!
Not only was a good time had by all, but the country dancing was an absolute blast … just ask Dave Long what full contact dancing is like!
CAPTION COMPETITION
Well, I’ve run a couple of these caption competitions over the last few editions, without much success it has to be said. Entries didn’t quite flood in … unless you call one entry a deluge.
But I’m not the kind of person to give up just because something isn’t working! No … I will persevere … I will continue to put stupid photographs into this magazine … I will keep going until the readership FINALLY give in and realise that the only way to shut me up is to humour me and start writing in!! HA HA … I’m not mad yet but the wild stare is coming on nicely!!!!!
Anyway, enough of my mad ramblings … that’s what editing this magazine does to you … let’s see what you make of this photo:
Entries to the usual address ….. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CLOSE RUN THING AT INTER SERVICES
(From a Match Report by Ashley Newing)
This years Inter Services Match was hosted by the Royal Navy at HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth on Tuesday 26th June, 2001. In a change to normal practise, the team actually met at RAF Odiham for some last minute training on the Sunday, with Cpl Ian Spencer, RAF Coach putting everyone through their paces on the Monday morning as well … talk about taking things seriously! After a short drive to Portsmouth, the team then met up for the “Pre-Triangular Team Bonding Session” on the waterfront … a few sociable drinks for all was the order of the day!
Tuesday morning arrived and most of the team were back down on the waterfront, snapping up bargains from the factory retail outlets, all to keep their minds off the important match to come that afternoon, but all too soon it was time to gather at the gym. Prior to the match the team received many good luck wishes from fencers past, present and from their coaches Prof Peter Northam and Mr Dave Jerry. Sqn Ldr Ann Gibson read out a few words of encouragement from the Chairman of RAF Fencing, Gp Capt Nick Kurth who was unable to be with the team due to operational commitments. Once again the RAF team was honoured to have the support of the President of the RAFFU, AVM H G MacKay who presented RAF Brassards to 4 ‘New Blues’. Flt Lt Andy Cooke, RAF Oakhanger (Sabre), Flt Lt James Griffiths, RAF Benson (Foil), Cpl Phil McNulty, RAF Oakhanger (Foil) and LAC Paul ‘Skippy’ Hosking, RAF Wittering (Epee).
After holding the Women’s title for 6 years and the Men’s for 5 years, the RAF were once again the team to beat, but for the 7th consecutive year the Women’s Team proved that they were more than a match for the Army or Royal Navy. Fencing Sabre in the Women’s Team event for the first time at Inter Service level, Sqn Ldr Ann Gibson and Cpl Debbie MacDonald easily beat their opposition 4 – 0, 4 – 0 and only lost 3 hits during the whole match. In the Epee there was a similar result. Flt Lt Stephanie Keenan and FS Ashley Newing lost only one fight to beat the RN 4 – 0 and the Army 3 – 1. The Foil event proved to be a different ball game with Flt Lt Lynnette Bolton and SAC Sharon Booth having their work cut out for them. In the first match, Sharon’s style, poise and accuracy ensured an easy victory over the RN 4 – 0. However, the Army had made an early tactical decision to place their strongest fencers in the Foil event. In a closely fought match the RAF drew with the Army 2 – 2. With both teams on equal victories, the hits scored and received were calculated and the RAF won the weapon title on indicators.
Over in the Men’s event team spirit and enthusiasm ensured that for the 6th consecutive year the RAF Men’s Team retained their Inter Service title. However, it was to prove to be a very closely fought match. All eyes were on the Foil team with Cpl Dave Long acting as Weapon Captain and 2 ‘New Blues’, Cpl Phil McNulty and Flt Lt James Griffiths. Pitted against 2 very experienced teams the Foilists set to work. In a beautifully fought match against the Army Dave, James and Phil proved that composure, training and competing on the civilian match circuit could pay dividends. The Army didn’t stand a chance and the RAF won the match 8 – 1. It was a similar scenario against the RN who were desperate to do well on home ground. The Foilists were having none of it and despatched them 7 – 2.
In the Sabre the RAF was not to be so lucky. ‘New Blue’ Flt Lt Andy Cooke gave an excellent account of himself winning 2 of his 6 fights and only losing by 4 – 5 in 3 of his others. Fencing against one of the strongest RN teams that we have seen in years, the Sabreurs put up a good fight. In his last Inter Service match before retiring from the RAF, Cpl Ian Spencer put up a spirited defence against the RN. However, dogged by injury for the last 6 months the match was to prove too much for Ian. In a superb bout against Lt Richter and with the score at 4 hits all, Ian’s leg muscle finally gave up the ghost and he had to retire from the competition. Having only just recovered from a serious head injury, it was a rare thing to see Sgt Mark Gumley not on fencing form and without his usual sparkle. He still managed to win 2 of his 3 fights against the RN but the RAF eventually lost the match 3 – 6. With Ian Spencer out of the competition Cpl Mark Alexander from RAF Brize Norton was given 15 minutes notice to fence against the Army and became the 5th ‘New Blue’ of the day. Both Mark and Andy won their first bouts and although there was some very skillful fencing, the Army team remained focused and eventually the RAF Sabreurs lost the match 2 – 7.
As the Epeeists stepped onto the piste they realised that they had to win both of their matches to be in with the chance of retaining the Inter Service Trophy. It is not known what LAC ‘Skippy’ Hosking had for breakfast that morning but the enthusiasm that he put into his first ever Inter Service bout has never before been seen!. In the first match against the RN the ‘New Blue’ proved that he had earned his place as one third of a formidable Epee Team. The partnership of Sqn Ldr George Liston, Flt Lt Andy Alcock and Skippy Hosking easily defeated the RN Team 8 – 1. The Army had been paying close attention to the match and also beat the RN by the same score margin. With the weapons victories standing at Army 4, RAF 3, the last match was crucial. The Epeeists had to win to retain the Trophy. If the scores were tied at 4 Matches each, every individual victory would count. George rose to the challenge and took his game to another level, his superior reach and vast international experience were too much for the Army and he won all 3 of his bouts. In this match Skippy was not as lucky, although fencing with enthusiasm and skill and gaining some superb hits, the Army were on a mission. With the score tied at 4 bouts each, Andy Alcock, the Vice-Captain of RAF Fencing, stepped up for the last fight. On the sideline a score of overall victories had been calculated and the rest of the RAF team gathered to watch Andy fence. Keeping his distance and his composure Andy matched his opponent hit for hit and at 4 hits all some of the team could not bear to watch. You could have heard a pin drop as the buzzer sounded, but it was a double hit so the fight continued. Andy stepped back to gather his thoughts, his team-mates shouting and cheering for him to win and the next hit was his. With the score at 4 matches each, the RAF retained the trophy by 33 victories to the Army’s 30 and the Royal Navy’s 18.
It was obviously a day for the Squadron Leaders, with both Ann Gibson and George Liston retaining the Master Swordsman titles they had won at 2000 Championships. Ann proved that she is master at all 3 weapons and only lost one Foil and one Epee bout. Pitted against Sonia Greakin of the Army and Sasha Brooks RN, her 4 victories to their 3 and 2 respectively ensured that the trophy returned to HQSTC. With Ann’s excellent example to follow George was matched against the Army’s Ian Campbell and LAEM Mark Needham of the RN. Losing only one Foil bout George retained his title with 5 victories to his opponents 2.
Men’s Sabre Team
RAF v RN L 3 - 6
RAF v Army L 2 - 7
RN v Army L 4 – 5
Weapon Victory – Army
Men’s Foil Team
RAF v RN W 7 - 2
RAF v Army W 8 – 1
RN v Army L 4 – 5
Weapon Victory – RAF
Men’s Epee Team
RAF v RN W 8 - 1
RAF v Army W 5 - 4
RN v Army L 1 - 8
Weapon Victory – RAF
Master Swordsman
1. Liston RAF
2. Needham RN
3. Campbell Army
Women’s Sabre Team
RAF v RN W 4 - 0
RAF v Army W 4 - 0
RN v Army D 2 - 2
Weapon Victory – RAF
Women’s Foil Team
RAF v RN W 4 - 0
RAF v Army D 2 - 2
RN v Army L 0 - 4 Weapon Victory – RAF (on indicators)
Women’s Epee Team
RAF v RN W 4 - 0
RAF v Army W 3 - 1
RN v Army L 0 - 4
Weapon Victory – RAF
Master Swordswoman
1. Gibson RAF
2. Greakin Army
3. Brooks RN
In the past success in the Triangular has not necessarily meant success in the Individuals, and unfortunately this was to be the case this year, although it was not all doom and gloom. The recently formed Odiham fencing club though gained a 3rd place in both the 6 and 3 Man Team Events against strong opposition. In the 6 Man Team Sabre some spirited fencing ensured that Phil McNulty and Andy Cooke won 5 of their 8 bouts. In the 3 Man Team event SAC Pete Dewey won 2 of his 4 Foil bouts and beat some very difficult Army opponents.
Men’s Sabre and Sabre Plate. George Liston was the highest placed RAF Fencer in the Sabre with 7th position. Also making the last 16 were Dave Long in 15th and Phil McNulty in 16th place. In the plate event the RAF faired somewhat better with Gary Brailsford in 2nd, Andy Cooke in 3rd, Andy Alcock 7th, APO Richard Price of BUAS Colerene 8th, Pete Dewey 13th, Al Madden of RAF Shawbury in 15th and Roger Honeywood in 16th
Men’s Foil and Foil Plate. In the Foil 5 RAF Fencers made it to the last 16. Mark Alexander was placed 5th, George Liston 6th, Phil McNulty 10th, James Griffiths 12th and Dave Long 13th. Mark only narrowly missed a medal place by losing to Needham from the RN 9 – 15 in the quarter finals. During the last 16 of the Foil Dave Long, on track for a medal position, had to withdraw from the competition when he pulled a leg muscle. Also leaving the competition with an injury was George Liston. Once again the RAF faired well in the plate event with the following results: DesForge 2nd, Cooke 3rd, Dewey 4th, Brailsford 7th, Alcock 10th and Honeywood 13th. SAC Rob DesForge from LATCC(Mil) fenced well considering he had only just recovered from a back injury and beat the RN No 1 seed 15 – 8 before meeting fellow RAF fencer Andy Cooke in the semi-final. After a difficult match, fenced nearly to time, Rob was the eventual winner 15 – 10. In the final Rob continued to fence well and only just missed out on top spot by losing 13 – 15 to McKenzie of the Army.
Men’s Epee and Epee Plate. With George Liston out of the Epee event with a knee injury, 5 other RAF Fencers made it to the last 16. Gary Brailsford fenced well beating West RN 15 – 10 to reach the quarter finals, eventually being placed 6th overall. Also place were Andy Alcock 7th, James Griffiths 10th, Skippy Hosking 14th and Phil McNulty 15th. In the plate it was encouraging to see newcomer SAC Roger Honeywood from RAF Odiham placed 4th, with Rob DesForge 8th and Pete Dewey 11th.
Women’s Sabre. The RAF dominated the Women’s sabre to take 6 of the last 8 places. In the quarter finals Ashley Newing was beaten by Maggie Myers RN 13 – 15, whilst Sharon Booth beat the Army No 8 seed Be Barnes 15 – 13. The semi finals pitted Ann Gibson against Sharon with Ann winning 15 – 12 and Stephanie Keenan against Maggie Myers. Stephanie’s height and superior reach proved too much for her RN opponent and she took the bout 15 – 13. The RAF final was an exciting bout but Ann’s experience with a sabre ensured her victory beating Stephanie 15 – 10. RAF Fencers were placed: Gibson 1st, Keenan 2nd, Booth 3rd, Newing 5th,Bolton 6th and MacDonald 7th.
Women’s Foil. With fewer entries than the Sabre the RAF still managed to dominate the last 8. In the quarter finals Ann Gibson easily beat Louise Olliver RN 15 – 2 but Lynnette Bolton was not so lucky against Maggie Myers RN losing the bout 13 – 15. In the Semi Finals Sharon Booth was beaten by Myers 3 – 15 and Ann went out when she was beaten by Sonia Greakin of the Army 2 – 15. RAF Fencers were placed: Gibson 3rd, Booth 3rd, MacDonald 5th and Bolton 7th.
Women’s Epee. With the Inter Service Champion at Arms title still in the balance Ann Gibson and Maggie Myers were the ones to watch in the Epee. In the quarter finals Maggie Myers dispatched Lynnette Bolton 15 – 7 and, in a very close match Sharon Booth lost to Be Barnes, Army 14 – 15. In a RAF quarter final Ann Gibson was pitted against No 1 seed Ashley Newing. In a close match that almost went to time both fencers matched each other hit for hit until they reached 12 all. At this point and with the Champion at Arms title in sight Ann lifted her game and won the bout 15 – 12. Unfortunately Ann could not sustain this pace and after a very long and tiring weeks fencing she was beaten in the semi final by Maggie Myers 15 – 12. With Maggie Myers taking 2nd place in the Epee this also meant that she was the 2001 Champion at Arms. Ann was only one point behind her. In the Epee RAF Fencers were placed: Gibson 3rd, Newing 5th, Booth 6th, Bolton 7th.
OLD FOLKS CORNER
Speaking of Mark Gumley’s wedding, it was whilst at that soiree that I had an interesting chat with some of RAFFU’s most recently departed characters. As the alcohol began to flow, Angus Cameron, Steve Jackman and Dave Jerry all began to let slip tales from the “dark old days” of fencing:
When people locked themselves out of hotel rooms, naked …
When several bottles of vodka in foreign countries were just too much to handle …
When foreign waiters decided that out of all the girls around the table, the cute lad with the short hair was the one for them …
After listening to these stories I realised something … not only does RAFFU lose experienced and valuable fencers, it also loses a font of interesting, amusing and embarrassing stories! So, I reached a decision. It’s time that the “Old folks” returned some of their wisdom and knowledge to the fold .. hence this new column. And I’m proud to hand over this first column to our recently departed Coach, Dave Jerry ……
After much delay I have got writing to you all via Reprise.
It seems only a few days ago that I left the RAF (unofficially) and began fencing coaching full time. Shortly before the official time of leaving you all gave me that wonderful send off at Innsworth. The decanter and glasses are in good use and the description of each glass holding half a bottle is usually true. Sometimes I find bigger bottles so that it doesn't feel as bad. That few days has nearly turned into a year, and life is very busy.
Congratulations to you all on the results at the Inter Service Match. Each year for the last several I have thought this is the year that we won't make it, but every time the team manage to get it all together an the day. From all accounts it was a bit of a cliff-hanger. I wish I could have been there to see it. The last hit of the last weapon is nail biting stuff; I remember a similar situation a number of years ago. It was still non-electric Sabre and Sabre was always the last weapon in those days, I suppose so that the judges could believe that they had made a contribution to the team effort, did I really say that? Simpson was fighting the Army sabreur and at 4-3 up he acknowledged a hit, sportsmanship or stupidity? No, I guess it was gamesmanship; his opponent full of confidence attacked only to be met with a famous circular tierce parry riposte to chest. His opponent wasn't so formal in his acknowledgement … he just bent double, and that was that.
There was a bit of an impromptu reunion at Mark Gumley’s wedding. Loads of new experiences for me. I was working the next day so had elected to be the driver and stuck to several varieties of water from rip-off Perrier to Seven and Trents best (which I insisted was on the house). The other great mystery was who is the dapper guy, clean shaven and with shirt tucked in, at the centre of attention? Gumley of course … what a surprise (small pause while I look for the exclamation mark on this keyboard (found it over 1).
The last thing I heard from the editor of this magazine was that there should be an "Old Gits" page in the magazine. This is my contribution.
“There is really no substitute for tradition and experience, just ask any Old Git. They will be quick (relatively) and will tell you that excellence can't be rushed.”
So begins the label on a fine red wine named Old Git. My son bought me a bottle as a P... Take and keeps buying me another each time I get tedious, he hasn't yet realised that I'm not only taking the P... but getting P...ed. More quotes from the label another time. I believe that there is a companion bottle named Old Tart.
I am pleased to announce that I have achieved all of life's ambitions. About 2 days after clearing at Waddington I received yet another Royal Air Force Continuous Attitude Survey. In answer to the question "What are your ambitions in the RAF" I answered:
1 Retirement
2 New Dog
3 New Boat
I’ve made it. The retirement you witnessed, the new dog arrived in September, a Girlie Standard Poodle called Zara and I got the new boat last week a 50 ft Canal boat built for a perfectionist about 9 years ago called "Perfick".
My fencers will be pleased with the new addition. Instead of knocking out lessons while contemplating the next bit of dog training and distributing praise in the form of "Good Girl", "Have a Bonio" and the like I have already started saying “Perfick!”.
See yer.
Dave Jerry
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
After 5½ years at Oakhanger, PMA finally decided I was due a posting. So they granted me a posting to … Oakhanger! Actually I’m posted to RAF Cosford but employed at the No.1 S of TT (Detachment) … so I can now officially fence for Cosford in all those team events!!