Exceptional Performances from RGS Fencers at Key Tournaments

RGS fencers have been busy over the past few weeks, competing in a range of exciting events and achieving outstanding results.

During the Half term break, Upper Sixth student Matt Fallows successfully completed his British Fencing Level 1 Coaching qualification, marking an important milestone in his Fencing journey.

On Saturday 1 March, Year Eleven pupil, Issy Pottinger and Lower Sixth student Joseph Kington travelled to Tudor Grange Academy Solihull to compete in the West Midlands Senior Championships. Both entered the mixed Épée event, a challenging adult competition featuring repechage. In the pool rounds, Issy and Joseph each won two bouts and lost two. In the first round of the direct eliminations, Joseph secured a hard-fought 15-14 victory, while Issy was eliminated with a 15-5 defeat. However, in the repechage, Issy advanced through the first stage before facing Joseph in the second stage, where Joseph emerged victorious with a 15-7 win. Joseph continued his strong performance, winning 15-6 and 15-9 to break back into the final eight. In the quarter-finals, he edged another 15-14 victory to secure a place in the semi-finals, where he ultimately lost 15-2 to the eventual tournament winner, finishing in an impressive third place.

Issy, having finished 18th in the mixed event, then took on the Women’s Épée competition. Demonstrating resilience and determination, she won her semi-final 15-13 and triumphed in the final 15-9 to become the West Midlands Women’s Épée Champion.

Meanwhile, Emily De Bono travelled to Moulton for the Elite Épée competition in the Under 14 Girls category. She won two and lost four in her pool, progressing to the direct eliminations where she won her first round 12-8 before narrowly losing 12-10 to the number one seed. She finished 15th overall in a competitive field.

The following day, Emily returned to Moulton for the West Midlands Age Group Foil event. Competing in the Under 14 Girls category, she won three of her four pool bouts, earning a bye into the quarter-finals. A commanding 12-4 victory secured her place in the semi-finals, where she was edged out 12-10, finishing in third place. This result qualifies her once again for the 2025 British Youth Championships National Age Group Finals in Sheffield, having now secured qualification in all three weapons and medalled at all three qualifying events.

Congratulations to all our fencers for such impressive achievements in these recent competitions.