After a discussion between the RAFFU Captain and the coach of Liverpool University Fencing Club, it became the intention to hold a team match against Liverpool University to give Junior and non-Blue fencers experience at competing in a rolling-45 format event. After an extremely close and difficult competition, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the RAF team won the event.

RAF weapon teams were as follows:

Sabre
Flt Lt D Burke RAF Boulmer
JT G Brailsford RAF St Mawgan (Weapon Captain)
SAC K Green JSU Northwood

Foil
Sgt P McNulty RAF High Wycombe (Team Captain)
SAC B Morgan RAF Scampton (Weapon Captain)
SAC D Whitehead RAF Lossiemouth

Epee
Sgt S March DCSA Corsham
SAC P Dewey RAF Honington (Weapon Captain)
SAC A Reynolds RAF Leeming

The match itself pitted Liverpool University Fencing Club, the RAF and Liverpool Fencing Club against each other in a rolling-45 hit format at all 3 weapons. The organisers had decided on a format where the team with the maximum number of points overall would win, which meant every single hit scored was of the utmost importance.

The University team started extremely well, beating the RAF sabre team and the Liverpool foil team to give themselves the full 90 points in their first 2 matches. This early success was repeated in their 2nd round match, where the University epee team beat the RAF and their sabreurs made it 4 in a row with victory over Liverpool. With 2 rounds gone, and with a maximum 180 points, the University team were looking favourite to take the win on their home ground.

Meanwhile, the RAF epeeists had taken victory in their 1st round match against Liverpool, whilst the RAF foil team fought extremely well against Liverpool to take the win. The epeeists, after winning their first match, then lost to the University, giving the University a massive 225 points with only one match to go. After losing their first round match to the University, the sabreurs took a nail-biting 45-44 victory from Liverpool, giving the RAF team a running total of 205.

In the crucial foil match, the RAF were convincingly ahead. However, the calculators had already come out on the RAF side (whilst the students used mental arithmetic) and the figures were calculated: if the RAF team won, which they were almost certain to do short of a complete disaster, they had to prevent their opponents reaching 25 points. If the RAF won 45-25, then both teams would have equal hits scored, however indicators would give the match to the University. With the pressure on, the RAF foilists stepped up a gear, stretching their lead further.

As the penultimate fight started, the University weapon Captain then announced they would make a substitution in the last fight, bringing on one of their left-handed foilists who had been instrumental in the defeat of Liverpool. Unfortunately for them, the wily RAF Team Captain pointed out that they should have made the announcement prior to the penultimate fight actually starting. This gave the RAF team the psychological advantage going into the last fight, and with a final score of 45-21, the RAF team took the competition trophy from the University 250-246.

This event was a resounding success, particularly as the RAF won. However, the over-riding purpose of the event was not victory, but experience for our Junior and up and coming fencers, which we achieved. The fact that the weapon Captains were left to organise their own teams, and that they did this extremely well bodes very well for our future.

My sincere thanks have to go to the Liverpool University Fencing Club. After an informal discussion with the University Coach, Michael Knowles, this event grew into the success that it was. Suzanne Elliott, the University Secretary was a major driving force behind the success of the day, and it is extremely gratifying to know that they also considered it a success and would like to host it again next year. My thanks to Michael, Suzanne and all the fencers at Liverpool University for making the event run so seamlessly. Thanks also to Flt Lt Dave Burke, Match Secretary for arranging team accommodation at RAF Woodvale.