Kent Fight Through to 4th at the Excalibur
on 6th & 7th May at Bath, Somerset

Kent Squad
We travelled to Bath this year without many of our leading fencers. Notably, our ex-Olympian Ralph Johnson was away (on duty for GB at the World Veterans championship). Also absent was our regional Epée champion Nicola Hull, and our international foilist Jacki Esamaji.
In the place of them and others, Kent fielded a series of new caps. The story of the weekend turned out to be how well they did. Special mentions must go to Karen Greenwood (14 winning fights!), John Hyde and Martina Marti from the University.

There were a number of other highlights. Gurkan beat John Tanner (Somerset). Joanne beat Kate Smith (Surrey). Anna beat GB international Meg Schofield (Surrey). Karen did too, as well as all three Notts&Derby épéeists, and all three Essex girls.

A special mention though for Kris Selfridge who beat nearly everyone and had the second highest number of wins amongst all the Men's Foilists, and our Oliver Vernau 3rd best of the Mens Sabreurs.

Results Summary

	MEN'S FOIL
	Kris Selfridge 23 wins Steve Hewitt 20 wins Chris Pitman 12 wins total 55 wins	wins	Somerset 5-4 Middx. 5-4 Devon 6-3 Leics. 6-3 Warks. 7-2 Notts&Derby 7-2 Glocs. 8-1 Essex 9-0	losses	Surrey 2-7

	MEN'S SABRE
	Oliver Vernau 21 wins Jim Crawfurd 18 wins Gurkan Guceri 15 wins total 54 wins	wins	Glocs. 5-4 Warks. 6-3 Essex 6-3 Middx. 7-2 Devon 8-1 Leics. 8-1 Notts&Derby 9-0	losses	Somerset 4-5 Surrey 1-8

	WOMEN'S EPEE
	Joanne Reynolds 18 wins Anna Turley 17 wins Karen Greenwood 14 wins total 49 wins	wins	Devon 6-3 Leics. 6-3 Glocs. 8-1 Notts&Derby 8-1 Essex 9-0	losses	Somerset 4-5 Surrey 4-5 Middx. 3-6 Warks. 1-8

	WOMEN'S FOIL
	Victoria Clayton 17 wins Anne Green 15 wins Martina Marti 10 wins total 42 wins	wins	Essex 5-4 Middx. 6-3 Leics. 6-3 Glocs. 7-2 Notts&Derby 8-1	losses	Devon 4-5 Somerset 3-6 Warks. 2-7 Surrey 1-8

	MEN'S EPEE
	Ahmet Shaban 15 wins Richard Neal 10 wins John Hyde 9 wins total 34 wins	wins	Middx. 5-4 Leics. 8-1	losses	Notts&Derby 4-5 Devon 4-5 Warks. 4-5 Glocs. 3-6 Essex 3-6 Somerset 2-7 Surrey 1-8

The weekend started with only Warwickshire appearing to have brought a team sufficiently strong to challenge last years winners Surrey.

Warks Epéeists Don't Like It Up 'Em.
Our Men's Epéeists Richard and Shaban pulled off a series of victories against Warwickshire, but the team just couldn't get that fifth win to get what would have been a shock victory for Kent against Warwickshire.

Kent rattle Somerset hosts
Against the best Women's Foil team in the tournament, both Ann and Victoria beat Sara Henley, and Ann pulled off a fantastic win over Kate Gardner. In the Men's Foil, both Stephen and Kris managed to beat Mat MacKenzie for their team win.

Meanwhile in the Women's Epée, Joanne had had her final winning hit against Helen Prior controversially disallowed for 'floor' (even though it wasn't even a foot shot!), as the team went down 4 fights to 5. And James lost to Somerset's John Tanner as our Men's Sabre team went down 4-5. The winning point in these two fights would have clinched a victory over the hosts (and an equal second in the tournament).

New Kent Caps Scalp Opponents
Middlesex were the other surprise challengers of the weekend (apart from ourselves). In the event, we came out on top thanks to two excellent victories. In the Men's Epée, John managed to beat Andy Douglas and Richard overcame Tim Gadasky to take a stunning collective victory. And our Women's Foilists did equally well, with shock wins by Victoria, Ann and Martina each over Dawn Townsend no less.

As it was Somerset unexpectedly beat Warwickshire to take second place. But Kent fencers can be proud of even being part of the struggle for 2nd place, and coming so very close to beating Somerset in particular.

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