Triumph and trauma greeted four Sidmouth and East Devon fencers at the Oxfam Open fencing competition held at Cardiff University.

Triumph and trauma greeted four Sidmouth and East Devon fencers at the Oxfam Open fencing competition held at Cardiff University. In the Women's Foil, following good results in the poules, Grace Williams, Isla Findlay and Angela Findlay were seeded 1st, 4th and 8th respectively. Angela had a fantastic 15-0 win against the number 9 seed in the first round Direct Elimination, and Isla sailed through the first and second round DE to reach the semis. After being separated in the poules, the seeding meant Grace met Angela in the quarter-final, winning 15-5, and then Isla in the last four. The semi-final saw some really good classical fencing from both girls, with Grace winning 9-4 and Isla taking the bronze. In the final Grace fenced an experienced and determined GB veteran who pressurised her right from the start. Grace pulled quietly away with well timed ripostes and counter-attacks, using the skills she has developed from international competitive experience to secure a convincing 15-4 win and take the title for the second year in a row.In the Women's Sabre, Lucy Williams made a good start with one loss and one victory. She was doing well in the third fight with some fast and exciting fencing when her achilles tendon suddenly ruptured and she was forced to withdraw. After fantastic care from the Cardiff A&E staff, she made it back from hospital just in time to see Grace presented with her trophy. A gold, a bronze, a top eight place and a plaster cast made an impressive haul for the Sidmouth ladies! The two day competition raised over �3,000 for the Oxfam charity.