National express

A great eight of RTWFC fencers travelled to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on the early May bank holiday weekend having qualified for the British Youth Championships. Here’s how they fared.

Super Saturday

Lloyd Osborne, having lost his first two poule bouts, then clicked into gear, winning nine bouts on the spin – including a superb 15-10 victory against number one seed Charlie Luytens-Humphrey and a great tactical triumph over Alex Nicholas in the semi-finals. In the final, though, Alessio Bazzocchi was on fire, and a tiring Lloyd couldn’t find a way to quell the flames, ultimately settling for a brilliant silver.

Sunday roast

Hannah Taylor, Benedict Graham and Miles Raymond set out in their respective U16 events in poules stuffed full of GB team fencers.

Hannah blitzed her first opponent 5-0, then showed some counter-attacking variety in downing her first DE opponent before her lack of experience at this level caught up with her in the last 32.

Benedict also got off to a good start, but a tricky last 64 draw against Cuzme Rigo resulted in an agonising 15-14 loss. Next time, Benedict…

Miles didn’t quite execute in the poules, but carried a higher tempo from his 5-3 loss against GB number 1 cadet Cador Beautyman into the DEs, hammering his first foe before going down fighting against top seed Amani Campbell-Okolo in the last 64.

Manic Monday

The third and final day of the British Youth Championships saw U14 trio Eilidh Paterson, Izzy D’Abbraccio and Daisy Beadsworth in action, along with Oscar Allison in the U18 Boys Epee.

All four scored some perfectly executed touches, and Izzy made it into the last 32 following a nerve-shredding 15-14 victory over left-handed Sophia Harper.

Next year, Eilidh and Izzy will have another stab at the same age group, when many of the girls who finished above them will be in the under 16s.

Well done to all of the RTWFC team in Sheffield for their camaraderie, fighting spirit and national-level fencing skills – you did us all proud.

Final placings

2nd Lloyd Osborne – U14 Boys (54 entrants)
25th Hannah Taylor – U16 Girls (41)
27th Izzy D’Abbraccio – U14 Girls (51)
33rd Eilidh Paterson – U14 Girls (51)
38th Benedict Graham – U16 Boys (71)
50th Oscar Allison – U18 Boys (53)
50th Daisy Beadsworth – U14 Girls (51)
62nd Miles Raymond – U16 Boys (71)