Two under-strength fencing teams represented the RAF in a pentangle match against teams from the Scotland Veterans, Republic of Ireland, and Scotland held at DCAE Cosford on the 22nd May. The overall final team positions didn’t reflect the many fine individual performances in this, a prelude to the inter-services, which is being held at HMS Nelson on the 14 June.

The RAF A team came in with 7 weapons victories, with the men’s Sabre and Epee teams being placed second and the men’s Foil team coming a close third. This combined with the ladies team gave the A team an overall position of third.

The men’s Epee A team gave a good overall performance with only one weapon defeat 35 - 45 against a very strong Scotland team. Officer Cadet Graham Orme (Cranwell) RAF epee A team fought a wonderful comeback from 20 - 8 down against Brendan Twomey from the Republic of Ireland, that enabled his team mates Sqn Ldr Andy Alcock (Wyton) and SAC G Morris (Leuchars) to go on to secure a 45- 43 win. This exemplar show of skill continued throughout the rest of their fights, which nearly resulted in a totals weapons victory, only finally losing out to a Scotland team who had not lost a weapon bout all day.

The RAF Foil A team consisting of Flt Lt R Henderson-Begg (Lossiemouth), Flt Lt N Bo (Brize Norton), and JT I Wren (Leuchars) showed determination and tenacity in the face of strong opposition from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland teams. A Convincing win over the RAF B team and a resolute defense against the Veterans gave the men’s foil team a well-deserved second place.

Captain of the RAF Sabre A team Sgt M Gumley (Cranwell) led Cpl D Long (Odiham) and Cpl Taylor (Boscombe Down) an inexperienced team in fighting with a Sabre to victories over the RAF B and Scotland Veteran teams. Each team member showed a complementary kinaesthetic ability in using a Sabre. They where narrowly beaten by the Republic of Ireland and Scotland with both teams gaining and losing the advantage throughout each bout.

The Ladies RAF Foil, Sabre and Epee A teams captained by Fg Off S Booth (Benson), and Fg Off K Linton (Cottesmore) led under strength teams consisting of Fg Off J Clegg (Cranwell), Flt Lt C Kemeny (Neatishead) and Cpl D MacDonald (Marham). Their overall final position didn’t reflect the sheer determination and valiant effort each team member showed in making sure that the teams from the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland worked hard for their victories.

The early defeats suffered by the men’s RAF B team and the lack of availability for a ladies element meant that they secured 5th place overall. Captain of the RAF B Sabre team Cpl R Desforges (Brize Norton) with teammates JT G Brailsford (Coltishall) and JT C Murdoch (Coltishall) led a spirited attack against a resurgent Scotland Veterans who eventually took the victory.

The RAF Foil B team consisting of Flt Lt S Powley (Halton), G Campbell and SAC D Whitehead (Lossiemouth) took the initiative against a strong RAF A team and made sure that the fight was taken to them. The emergent victors where the RAF A team with a result 45 – 33 that did little to show clearly the B teams dogged performance.

SAC P Hosking (Wyton) captain of the men's RAF Epee B team led team mates Sgt G Nicholson (High Wycombe), and SAC C Garton (Benson) in a manner that was not nugatory for their contributions to the RAF B teams overall position.