En Garde in Bath over Bank Holiday Weekend
26th April 2004The biggest inter-county fencing championships is coming to the University of Bath's Sports Training Village this weekend (Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May).
Aptly-dubbed "Excalibur", the national invitational tournament will feature 36 fencers from 12 counties battling it out in six different categories using three separate weapons: men¹s and women's foil, epee and sabre.
Prizes are on offer for best county, best team at each weapon and best fencer at each weapon.
Local club, Bath Sword, will feature as part of the Somerset County team and five University students will take part: Martin Cott, David Burton, Richard Hill, Richard Bullen and Natalia Wiecowska. Natalia will also be part of the Somerset County team.
Excalibur was first held in 1953 and has always been organised by Bath Sword Club on behalf of the counties of the South West who this year will pay host to: Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Hereford and Worcestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Notts and Derbyshire, Surrey, Warwickshire and Somerset.
Competition in this prestigious event will begin at 9.00am on both days and will finish at 6.00pm on Saturday and 4.00pm on Sunday. There will be 2975 fights over the two days which should provide a great spectacle.
"It's a great honour to host this event for the first time at the University of Bath", said Centre Manager Matt Birch today. "We should see some dazzling displays of swordsmanship. The Sports Training Village is a fitting stage for an event of this level".