Sidmouth and East Devon Fencing Club sent a strong contingent of 11 members to the Wellington fencing competition.

Sidmouth and East Devon Fencing Club sent a strong contingent of 11 members to the Wellington fencing competition.Seventeen-year-old Grace Williams (currently ranked 27th in British women's foil) came third in the open mixed foil event. With some impressive wins she took the gold for best placed woman. Isla Findlay had a brilliant day of fencing winning bronze in both the women's open foil and epee events. This follows Isla's recent third place result in the South West U18 epee which qualifies her for the British Youth Championship finals in February 2009. Also competing in the women's foil were Lucy Williams and debut competitors Sally King and Carol Bodenham. In the age group events, following a break from fencing, Lisanne King stormed back to her previous form, winning the U15 girls' foil and narrowly missing out on the gold in the final of the U15 girls' epee, which she lost 14-15! In the U15 boys' foil, George Evans, a relative newcomer to the sport, was placed fifth after some good competitive fencing. Richard Molyneux did a sterling job time keeping and scoring and showed great skill motivating Team Sidmouth.Simon Ames, of Feniton, achieved an excellent result of first place in the U13 boys' foil after winning all his fights. Ottery St Mary's Rosie Dale, who missed the U11 date line by one month, worked hard in the older age group to earn the silver in the U13 girls' event.Rohan Knowles' four years experience and hard work were obvious in his excellent footwork and well timed, accurate compound attacks, justly winning him the boys' U11 foil. His dad, Gareth Knowles, is now following in his son's footsteps and, with less than two years' experience, achieved a really good result of fourth in the men's open foil.l Fencing is an excellent sport for anyone from eight years old to 80+, keeping you mentally and physically fit. Being an individual sport, everyone can enjoy it at their own level of proficiency, and men and women train together.The Sidmouth and East Devon Fencing Club is hoping to integrate some junior beginners into the Thursday sessions (5:30-6:45pm). If you are on the waiting list, please contact the Sports Centre to confirm your continued interest - youngsters with previous fencing experience may be able to start immediately. Those over 15 years old and adults are welcome to come to the senior sessions on Thursdays (6:45-8pm).