The RAFFU Spring Series of competitions were held at RAF Cosford from 8 – 9 May 04. Although there was an extremely high turnout for the men’s events, a disappointing turnout for the ladies meant they did not achieve as much fencing as they hoped..

Men’s Sabre.
Twenty-eight fencers entered the sabre competition, which proceeded through one seeding round to a Direct Elimination tableau. There were no surprises at the end of the poules as the expected top seedings were taken by Wg Cdr George Liston and Sgt Phil McNulty (both RAF High Wycombe), with Sgt Mark Gumley (RAF Coningsby), Plt Off Graeme Hart (RAF Kinloss) and Flt Lt Andy Cooke (RAF Brampton) completing the top of the contenders pile. Unfortunately for Andy Cooke, he then found himself down and out as Cpl Rob Desforges (RAF Brize Norton) moved his way into the last 8, only to find himself up against a determined Graeme Hart who swept comfortably into the semi-finals. The remaining top seeds made no doubt about their progression as they all too went through to the last 4 with comfortable victories. In the first semi-final, Mark Gumley faced Phil McNulty in a repeat of the final from both the previous 2 years, starting off slowly before beginning to dominate to book his place in the final. The other semi-final saw Graeme Hart face off against George Liston in a closely fought and entertaining match which Graeme just edged out as the victor 15-13. The final was another hard fought affair, and again it was to be Graeme who took the victory from the defending champion Mark 15-10.

Men’s Foil.
Twenty-eight fencers entered the foil competition and again one seeding round was held before the Direct Elimination tableau. This time the top seeding was taken by epeeist Sqn Ldr Andy Alcock (RAF Wyton), whilst Graeme Hart, Flt Lt Ruari Henderson-Begg (RAF Lossiemouth) and Phil McNulty completed the top 4. The biggest surprise in the DE was SAC Andy Hart (RAF Coltishall), seeded 12th, taking out the No.5 seed O/Cdt Nick Olliver (BUAS Colerne) after initially struggling with an 8 point deficit. His run was then cut short by Phil McNulty, teeing up a semi-final against O/Cdt Graham Orme (BUAS Colerne) who had just knocked out No.1 seed Andy Alcock. In a closely contested match it was Graham who would take his place in the final. In the other half of the draw, Ruari Henderson-Begg had the misfortune to meet an on-form George Liston in the last 8, while Graeme Hart powered his way through to face George in yet another semi-final, which he then won convincingly 15-5. The final also proved to be a one-sided affair, on form foilist Graeme Hart demolishing epeeist Graham Orme 15-6 to take his second title of the competition.

Men’s Epee.
A full 30 fencers enter ed the epee and as expected, it was George Liston who took the highest seeding after the first round, with Ruari Henderson-Begg taking the No.2 seeding. Andy Alcock and Cpl Shaun Taylor (RAF Boscombe Down) completed the top 4, and as expected there were no major upsets as all 4 made their way through to the last 8. Ruari however failed to make it into the last 4 as he met Graham Orme in the quarter-finals, losing after a very cagey match 15-9. Andy Alcock also lost his place in the semi-final as he met an in-form SAC Gaz Morris (RAF Leuchars) losing 15-11. The first semi-final then pitted George against Shaun, and it was to be a convincing win for George as he took his opponent apart 15-7. For Gaz, his form seemed to desert him in his semi-final against Graham, and he too was convincingly beaten 15-6, teeing up a final with the 2 epee specialists. In a match which see-sawed dramatically, it was to be the experience of the older fencer which decided the title, as George edged out to take the win 15-11.

Men’s Champion at Arms.
The Men's Champion at Arms trophy was won by Sqn Ldr George Liston with his win in the epee and two third places.

Women’s Sabre.
A disappointing turn-out by female fencers resulted in only 2 women competing for the Women’s Sabre title. This was won by Fg Off Sharon Booth, RAF Benson, over Fg Off Josie Clegg, RAF College Cranwell by 15 – 4.

Women’s Foil.
Unfortunately the lack of female fencers also made it’s way to the foil competition, with Sharon and Josie once again competing for the title. Again it was to be Sharon’s victory with a convincing 15-1 win.

Women’s Epee.
A 100% increase in entries for the women’s epee event saw 4 women competing. After a poule to determine seedings, a DE pitted Sharon Booth against Flt Lt Sarah Chambers, RAF Fylingdales, a match which Sharon won 15-9. In the other half of the draw, Fg Off Kath Linton, RAF Cottesmore, took on Josie Clegg, taking the win 15-6. The final saw Sharon and Kath exchange the lead several times in a very close fought match, but it was to be Sharon who took her 3rd win of the weekend with a 15-12 scoreline.

Women’s Champion at Arms.
With 3 weapon wins, the Women’s Champion at Arms trophy was won by Fg Off Sharon Booth..

Inter Unit 6 Man Team.
3 teams competed for the Inter Unit 6 Man Team title, RAF High Wycombe, RAF Brize Norton and RAF Coltishall. Although fencing with only 5 members, it was to be the High Wycombe team who were victorious with 16 victories from Brize Norton with 13.

Most Promising Fencers.
This year the Tindall-Carill-Worsley Brassard for the most promising junior male fencer was awarded to Off Cadet Graeme Orme from BUAS Colerne. The Williams Rose Bowl for the most promising female fencer was not awarded this year.

The Howard Travis Memorial Quaich.
In memory of Cpl Howard Travis who was tragically killed whilst fencing, this award is presented to the Junior fencer who produces the best result at Senior Epee. This year the Quaich was awarded to Off Cadet Graeme Orme from BUAS Colerne.

The Jerry Cup.
The Jerry Cup was introduced as an incentive to individual units to encourage and bring fencers to RAF competitions. Points are awarded to each unit for each fencer competing in a weapon, and points awarded for results achieved by these fencers. The inaugural winners of the trophy were RAF High Wycombe, with 41 points accrued by 5 fencers over all 3 weapons.

Conclusion.
The 2004 Senior Championships are over for another year and it was a very successful event. A large turnout of fencers ensured that this competition was a great success, although the women’s turnout was disappointing. The standard of fencing on display was extremely high, and it was encouraging to see new faces mixed in among the old and bold. My thanks go to the Armourer, JT Gary Brailsford and his band of willing volunteers for setting up the gym and ensuring the competition could run as smoothly as it did. Final thanks also go to our President, Air Cdre Kurth for making the presentations at the end of a highly enjoyable days fencing.