The RN Amateur Fencing Association exists to support fencers and fencing within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. All standards are catered for, from complete beginners at our clubs being given an introduction or taster for the sport, to supporting fencers competing for National Rankings. Fencing is an unusual sport in that when done on a team basis rather than as an individual, a team is fully mixed with up to 9 ladies and 9 men required to compete.

Interservices fencing title bagged for first time in nearly 50 years

Royal Navy fencers have been celebrating an outstanding home win after the men's team secured a clear five weapon victory at Interservices level for the first time in nearly half a century, writes Lt Sacha Brooks RNR.

Despite injury and operational requirements affecting the team's final selection, the RN sent Army and RAF opponents limping home, as the dark blues snatched a dramatic 5-1 win whilst hosting the Interservices fencing championships at HMS Nelson.

Up first against reigning champions the RAF, epeeists Lt Cdr Matt Clark (PJHQ), Capt Al Baker RM (CTCRM Lympstone), and S/Lt Ralph Coffey (Nelson) made up for an uncertain start after loosing and regaining the lead twice. A tense final bout saw Commonwealth International Al Baker deliver an unstoppable coup de grace securing RN victory by just one hit in the first of the six weapon matches.

Next up in the epee were championship favourites the Army, however a first bout lead from S/Lt Coffey, maintained throughout the match, doused the opposition's ardour as once again Anchorman Al Baker struck the decisive blow in an aggressive and relentless attack claiming the honours in the final three minutes.

In the sabre discipline, RN team captain Lt Cdr David Lewis (815 NAS), former Combined Services Master-at-Arms LAEM Mark Needham (814 NAS) and S/Lt Keith Bowers (Collingwood) established an early lead against the RAF and despite a spirited comeback by the opposition, held them to a third Navy win, 45-41.

The sabre team's second match against a confident Army squad headed up by New Zealand international sabreur, Sapper Liam Davies, got off to an explosive start with the Navy trailing 5-0 after the first interval. Despite this initial upset, a persistent rally from the naval camp went on to overtake the Army, securing a narrow, but decisive victory.

In the foil, the Navy's team of Lt Cdr Chris Hendrix (Fleet), WO2(RM) Paul Kimbley (UKLFCSG VTT Bovington) and Lt James Seten (Argyll) dragged back a nine hit deficit to beat the Army and claim a fifth win, but suffered the RN's only defeat of the day to the RAF in yet another close final fight. A tower of strength in the foil team, Paul Kimbley was fencing for the RN for the last time (against medical advice) after nearly 20 years.

Team Captain, Lt Cdr David Lewis said: "We were missing a number of key fencers including the injured Navy champion-at-arms Lt Cdr Adrian Olliver (FOSTSM). However, despite this, the team still delivered the goods dealing a decisive blow to the Army and the air force and only narrowly missing an rare six - nil victory by a few hits.

"We're extremely proud to have won the Interservices three man team for the first time since 1957. This exceptional win has been widely recognised, with congratulations offered amongst others by the former president of the Royal Navy Amateur Fencing Association, the First Sea Lord."

Another RN triumph in the ladies sabre saw S/Lt Amanda Hale (Nelson) triumph over the female champions of the other two services to win the 'Master Swordswomen' title the same day.

* The RNAFA is making an appeal for all Navy and Marine fencers past and present to contact the association for its 100th anniversary dinner set to take place at the Old Naval Academy on 20 November.

Any fencers current or past (however long ago or tenuous the link) interested in attending or have any information with the whereabouts of alumni should contact S/Lt Keith Bowers collingwoodsestudent85 or call 07968 826625.