Elgin Duellist Fencing Club members impress at Scottish Secondary Schools Fencing Championships
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The return of the Scottish Schools Secondary Fencing Championships thrust five local fencers on to the national stage.
A quintet of Elgin Duellist Fencing Club members headed to Bathgate Academy to represent their respective schools in the tournament which was being held for the first time since 2019.
In the Under-14 Boys Foil category, Elgin Academy duo Mark Milne and Andrew Paterson along with Cults Academy's Edwin Naughton all won fights in their first two rounds.
Paterson lost 15-11 to Naughton when they met in the first round of the direct elimination, while Milne and Naughton were knocked out in the following direct elimination rounds but always remained in contention during their fights.
Head coach of Elgin Duellist Fencing Club, Robin Paterson was impressed by the standards set.
"While entry levels for the Scottish Schools Championships were relatively small this year compared to pre-pandemic years, the quality of fencing was nevertheless very high," he said.
"All the boys fenced thoughtfully, with Andrew finishing ninth, Edwin eighth and Mark seventh.
"For Mark and Andrew, this was their first competition - outwith the club - and all the boys show great promise.
"We will use this result as a baseline to measure progress for future age group competitions.
He expressed his gratitude to Elgin Academy teacher Fleur Hamelin-Stewart who runs the school's fencing club 'Elgin Engarde' on a Friday afternoon.
"Mark and Andrew have gained so much valuable experience from being part of this extra-curricular school activity.”
In the Under-16 Girls Foil category, Hebe Muckle (Milne’s High School), competed in a small group of highly experienced fencers, many of whom had fenced internationally.
At the direct elimination stage, Muckle, who is the joint junior Elgin Duellist Club champion, was leading her fight at one stage but ended up being narrowly beaten, and secured fifth place.
"Like the boys, Hebe fenced with great composure and will be able to learn and build on this experience," Paterson added.
Ellis Jiggins-Mackenzie (Elgin High) was competing in the Over-16 Boys Epee category.
"Ellis is one of Elgin Duellist Fencing Club's most experienced fencers having secured a very respectable 30th place at the Scottish Open Fencing Championships, and secured third place," Paterson said.
“Even though Ellis came third, he was always in contention having beaten both first and second placed epeeists in the early rounds.
"We are delighted for Ellis and as a long-term club member, his result demonstrates the benefits of perseverance in terms of training.”
The Highland Open fencing tournament, which was cancelled last September due to Covid-19, returns to Elgin High this year.
Elgin Duellist Fencing Club meets at Elgin High on Thursdays at 6.30pm.
For more information contact Robin Paterson on 01343 541302 or email robin1andlinda1@yahoo.com.
