East Devon fencers enjoyed a day of competition and medals at the Dunstan Fencing Competition held in Glastonbury.

East Devon fencers enjoyed a day of competition and medals at the Dunstan Fencing Competition held in Glastonbury.

Having just celebrated his ninth birthday, Zachary Marsh made his competitive fencing debut and came home with a well-deserved bronze medal in his age group. With seven wins, four of them 4-0 and only one loss in the first round, Zachary was seeded second for the direct elimination. His burgeoning technique and timing was obvious throughout the competition, and he was unfortunate to lose 2-3 on time in the semi-final against number 3 seed.

Rohan Knowles and Sam Neal won medals for sixth and eighth place in the boy's under-13 category.

Rohan fenced with outstanding skill but, on occasions, needed to finish his attacks with more depth: Sam showed the considerable improvement in technique that he has acquired since joining the Sidmouth club.

With no under-15 class, 13-year-old Simon Ames had to compete in the Open Foil event winning five of his 15 fights to take 10th place.

Unperturbed by his adult opponents, he gained useful experience, appreciating the need for small, precise, well- timed actions.

Rohan's dad, Gareth, upheld the family characteristic of excelling in competitive sport through attention to good technique. He earned a worthy seventh place against some tough experienced opponents.

ALL smiles: Competitors after the fencing competition at Glastonbury.