Fencers from across the world descended on the UEA Sportspark at the weekend for the Norfolk Open Tournament. Competitors came from as far afield as Ireland, Germany, Holland and the United States of America for the annual tournament.

Fencers from across the world descended on the UEA Sportspark at the weekend for the Norfolk Open Tournament.

Competitors came from as far afield as Ireland, Germany, Holland and the United States of America for the annual tournament.

On the Saturday the foilists took centre stage as both the men's and women's foil contest were held.

In the men's foil the victory was taken by Michael Questier of Crawley Sword, who defeated Steve Darrouk of SMJ by 15 hits to three.

Nick Stokes and Roberto Paciera took the prizes for third place.

Of the 53 fencers competing there were six from Norfolk clubs.

They were: Dan Thurston and Ewan Chipping of Affondo, Tom Collison and Richard Bradbury of King's Lynn, Ben Laddiman of the Norfolk Academy and John Fleming of the Norfolk Fencing Club.

There were 22 entries in the women's foil and the title was claimed by Angela Gould of Salle Paul with a 15-9 defeat of Phillippa Mullins of the Cambridge Cadets.

Third place went to Hannah Kerr & Jo Bowyer.

There were two Norfolk entries, Emma Leighton of Affondo and Amanda Scarff from Great Yarmouth.

The Sunday saw both men's and women's epée and the men's sabre.

There were 63 entries in the men's epée with Jonathon Ainsley from Suffolk's Salle Rose taking a nail- biting final 15-10 over Reading's Steve Bateman.

Paul Fitzpatrick and Adeel Iqbal shared third spot.

Five competitors were from Norfolk clubs. They were Chris White, Alistair White and Bernard Harbourn from Norfolk Fencing Club, Jamie Rodriguez from Affondo and Paul Norris from King's Lynn.

Joelle O'Neill from Harrogate took the women's epée in a close and tense 15-11 match over Heide Niesalla of CFC.

The third places went to Christine Flounders and Catherine Jones.

There were 29 entries in all, including two Norfolk fencers, Elizabeth Fowle and Barbara Stanley, who both fence for Norfolk Fencing Club.

There were 18 entries in the men's sabre with Steve Pope of Guildford taking a well deserved 15-6 win over Dave Woollands from the Isle of Axeholme club.

Phillip West shared third place with Christian Thorley who fences at Affondo.

Other sabreurs from the county taking part were Ian Barkham and Gavin Frost from the Norfolk Fencing Club and Graeme Weatherill of the UEA.

The Competition was organised and run by the Norfolk Fencing Club which meets at the UEA Sportspark from 7.40pm every Wednesday.

For more details of the club, or information concerning beginners classes please contact Diane Goodwin on 01603 787355.

Alternatively, send her an email diane.goodwin@stmartinshousing .org.uk