Under Construction.

Welcome to the Members Page.
We shall soon have in place a site designated to members of One Two Six Fencing Club where you will gain access by use of a Username and Password. Details of when this goes live will follow shortly.
In the meantime why not read the following experiences from members of One Two Six Fencing Club on their first competitions.

The New Men’s Open
At some godless hour on the 25th June, three intrepid Puffins, Arthur, Mark and myself, headed to RAF Upper Heyford for the New Men’s Open. After a quick breakfast stop and a wrong turn that almost had us in boot camp, we arrived at the RAF base. The base was very dilapidated and deserted. All it was missing was a couple of gun fighters and a tumbleweed. It did have a dog howling somewhere in the distance.
We checked in, changed, and for the first time, I warmed up properly. This was mainly because Marc had told me if I fenced and pulled my hamstring again before the Nationals, he was going to use my head to hang pictures.
The set up was as follows. There was going to be two poules, with a cut after each one. This was going to be followed by a repecharge. I had no idea what this meant and when it was explained to me I was even more confused. Because of my leg I decided to fight in ‘awkward b**tard’ mode – standing still and blocking (sorry, parrying) everything.
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m prone to rushes of blood and the odd charging and flailing charge. To stop myself I stood my ground and muttered Buddhist Mantras through gritted teeth to keep calm. It worked surprisingly well because after the first round I was ranked 49th and could still walk.
The second round arrived and I continued to be an awkward b**tard. A bit less successfully this time because at the end I was 60th. This was enough to get me into the repecharge but I decided that I had better not chance my luck and pulled out.
We drove around the base for a while trying to escape and then we headed to Bicester for a pub meal and then drove back to London.
A fine day out!
Cleitus Puffin



One Two Six Triumphs at the Isle of Wight Open Compeition 2005


This weekend, no fewer than ten intrepid One Two Six fencers travelled to the Isle of Wight for the Open fencing Competition.
On the Saturday, Jo and Marc competed in the foil event to rapturous support from a dedicated entourage of One Two Six fencers.
Jo made a great show of fencing Epee with a foil and was beaten in the semi-final by the eventual winner. Jo was very pleased with her bronze medal... considering her lack of knowledge of the rules of foil!
Marc caused the most nervouseness among supporting onlookers in his semi-final fight, which went to 14 all. He managed to plant the final hit on his opponents target to win his way into the final. In the match for the gold medal, Marc came up against an experienced foilist in the form of Tony Bartlett, who fenced for Great Britain in the Barcelona Olympics. Marc fenced well in what also turned out to be a close, nerve wracking fight, loosing only by the closest of margins and walking away with the silver medal.

The Epee event started on the Sunday morning, with One Two Six represented at the competition by more fencers than any other club, save the host club, Solent Swords. One Two Six also enetered four teams. Marc, Matt Maynard and Rob Greaves were unlucky to be drawn in the same poule, (which should never happen... administrative mistake on the part of the competition organisers, which they duly apologised for) it was, however, a perfect opportunity for Marc to keep a beady eye on the fencing, and offer advice to Rob and Matt. The other boys were all fencing in the same hall, which provided Jo with the perfect (if nerve-wracking) warm-up for the Ladies event. Running from piste to piste, jumping over spool wires and dodging other spectators, Jo used the opportunity to watch her protoges in action and pick up ideas that would help her coach them to further greatness.

Poule Results:

Iain Chisholm-Bunting: 1 1 0 V 1 3 -> 1 victory

Mark Walden-Mills: 2 1 V 4 V 4 -> 2 victories

Ken Hanstock: V 1 0 2 V 3 -> 2 victories

Arthur Van der Kamp: 3 V 3 V 1 2 -> 2 victories

Rob Greaves: 0 1 2 4 4 3 -> 0 victories

Werner Huber: 1 V 3 2 V V -> 3 victories

Matthew Maynard: V V V V V V -> 6 victories

Marc Bengry: V V 3 V V V -> 5 victories

Five of our fencers were promoted into the Last 128, where Mark Walden Mills, Ken Hanstock and Werner Huber (who won his fight 15-3!) won through to the Last 64, gaining National Ranking points. Arthur very nearly won his fight which was an epic battle that went to 14-14 and after three double hits to demonstrate how close the fight was, Arthurs' more experienced opponent landed the final hit. (Jo, in the meantime, had produced several litters of kittens, and had a near-nervous breakdown).

In the Last 64, Ken drew experienced pentathlete Ben Measures. The fight began on a light hearted note, as all concerned knew that on paper, Ben should prevail. Ken scored some well deserved hits, and the friendly nature of the fight continued. Ben did win, but then proceded to spend the next ten minutes giving Ken invaluable advice about his fencing (thanks Ben!). This kind of sportsmanship makes us coaches proud to bring new people into fencing and new fencers into competitions!

Werner met experienced veteran fencer Tim Schofield. Werner scored some absolutely inspired hits on the arm and wrist that prove he is becoming a natural pommeller, he must work to tighten his technique as far as parrying and actions on the blade are concerned, as this is where his opponent's hits pushed through. These are areas that are easy to improve, and with Werner's dedication to training, it is only a matter of time. The fight was skillfully videoed throughout by Werners better half... this is soooo useful, not only can fencers watch their performance and see exactly where they went wrong, but their coaches can spend hours (!) analysing the footage and start sorting out mistakes in the very next lesson, not to mention observing the opponent and working out how to advise other fencers to beat the same fencer.


Mark continued fencing well in his direct elimination fight, his technique is getting stronger by the week, and I think that maybe his perfomance at the Surrey Novices sparked a determination to fence extremely well. He, like the other One Two Sixers, lost his fight to a stronger, more experienced opponent, but the lessons learnt at this stage are more important than victories.

Matt did very well in his poule, winning all his fights to gain a seeding of fourth.

Marc Bengry lost only to Matt in the poule, and was seeded 12th, he progressed comfortably through to the Last 8 where he met a Frenchman fencing for Ireland (?) Eric Proffit. The fight ran hit-for-hit, with Marcs tiredness clearly showing as his Epee technique slipped and his natural Foil style shone through! He rushed a few of the hits and was left trailing 14-13, a double hit ended Marc's campaign and he sloped off to quiver in the corner. A good result for Marc nonetheless, having fenced all day in the Foil the day before.

Jo and Georgie started their event once the men had finished their first round, and spurred on by the success of the boys and supporting crowds of puffins, had the best of chances. Jo comfortably won all of her fights in the poule, and cunningly avoided refereeing duties (sorry poulemates) so that she could run to Georgies piste to add to the support and advice offered by Marc and the others. Due to lack of training (wine tasting anyone???) and a few basic faults in her technique, she only won one fight, and went on to loose to a girl she could have beaten with use of her long lunge and neater bladework... dissapointing given her potential (long arms and legs and a natural sense of aggression.....I'VE BROKEN A NAIL!) Here is a fencer that the girls need to be worried about next year!

Jo worked her way through the D.E. rounds giving some opponents too much respect at times leading to a repeat of the nervousness she had experienced watching the others fence! In the end, none of her opponents scored more than 7 hits on her as she overcompensated for the sloppiness that can result from a lack of training. The final fight was against a worthy opponent in the form of Aurora Villacellino from Haverstock, again, Jo fenced very carefully, in way that she feared would make the fight boring. She won 15-7 and was afterwards reassured that the deadly silence she had taken to be spectators dropping off to sleep was, in fact, genuine interest in a tactical fight. Jo was ecst
atic to win the Isle of Wight Open for the third time, her first hat trick! She will be back next year to defend her title from Georgie (who she hopes to meet in the final next time!).

I believe that by this time next year, all our fencers will be a force to be reckoned with... the force is most d
efinitely strong in these brave puffins.


The Puffin Brothers at the Nottingham Open

On a bright and fairly brisk Saturday afternoon, Rob and Ken Puffin headed up to Nottingham. After a trip that made Odysseus’ journey back from Troy look like a wrong turning on the M1, they finally arrived at their lodgings and went in search of a beer and food.
The next morning the intrepid duo headed to the Nottingham Open where they met up with Ian, the third Puffin brother and made ready to do battle - by having a cuppa and a half arsed jog around.
The man in charge arrived and sent us to our first poule. After 5 spirited bouts, Ian was ranked 75th, Rob 71st and Ken, after some spectacularly aimless flailing, was ranked 42nd.
They collapsed in the canteen to refuel but were rudely interrupted by the second poule of 5 bouts. As Ken took the piste for his first match, his opponent said to him condescendingly, “OneTwoSix? That sounds like a nursery group.”
“Smug git,” muttered Ken and did the only thing an insulted Puffin Brother could do – beat him 5-2. After this one Ian was ranked 74th, Rob 72nd and Ken, in desperate need of a beer, was 56th.
Once more they were rudely interrupted from their lunch by the first elimination round which Ken surprisingly won 15-10. Unfortunately the other Puffins were knocked out. By the time of the second elimination round Ken needed a brew and a good lie down. Luckily for him he got hammered 15-5 so was able to have that cuppa he had been so desperately needing.
Overall it was a pretty successful day and, besides all the exercise, most enjoyable.

Written by Ken (Puffin) Hanstock.



Birmingham

The Birmingham International is a large competition, it attracts a huge number of fencers,this year there were 176 in the male epee alone.The 126 were competing in Foil as well as Epee and we had a squad of seven in the competition.Both Marc and Jo were there as was Maggie.

The squad were all staying in the same hotel-thank you Maggie for organising that,we then all went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner.The dinner was fab and everyone had a great time.

Saturday was foil day-so we promised Jo and Marc we would come and watch them fight,we never told them when - so five of the squad went shopping and "dossing " about in Birmingham city centre and then went to see them in the afternoon!

Saturday evening we had our meal in the hotel,they were obviously doing "quantum" cooking,this is where you take an order in one universe and cook the meal in another-it's the only way I can explain the huge time lapse between the two!

As I was competing on Sunday,I was good and went to bed early.Morning came all too soon and fully kitted up, I drove to the venue.For those of you that haven't visited Birmingham-the road layout is designed to be understood by Brummies only !

After various wrong turns and going round roundabouts in a chaotic "what exit" fashion,I arrived at the venue.The venue was Birmingham University's sports centre and the competition was spread over three sports halls.Though listed as an international,I could only find one German,one Swede and a Frenchman in my hall !

I was on piste two in poule two, the German and the Swede were also in my poule,the first thing I noticed was the strength of the competition.I was up against some very experienced epeeists,true to the tradition of the Puffin brothers-I decided to hit everything that presented a target !

I had an excellent set of fights-I did not win any of them but scored points where I could.Jo and Maggie were tremendous offering coaching advice from the sidelines -I thank them for that.

After the poule I then had a second fight to fifteen hits to stay in the competition,Marc and Matt were brilliant in their advice and support for that match-thanks to both of them.The match ended 12-15 to my opponent.That was me out and I then had time to run around and talk to and watch other fencers.Everything I saw suggested the level of competition was high, lots of experienced fencers were going out in the early rounds.The best story I heard on the day was from an Irish fencer tied at 14 all with his opponent,he claimed he made a superb lunge,however the fellow breathed out near to point of contact,which moved his chest and tummy away from the sword tip and riposted gaining the point!

Reflecting on Birmingham,the following points come to mind,

Do not allow your fencing style to become predictable.(The German fellow worked out my footwork pattern and therefore knew when I might attack or

defend)

Footwork is the key, it allows you to alter the tempo of a match and puts you in control of tempo and not your opponent.

Birmingham is a high level comp.Realise that, but go anyway,competition hones technique.Enjoy the fencing and the chat

Go to comp as a group,have a laugh and a good time,I'd recommend it to anyone.

Billy Bob Puffin

Lines on the Slough open

This was my first time in individual competition, and I had a brilliant day!

i wanted to do this comp but missed the application date so I drove down and got in on a late entry! (Maggie does not recommend this !)

However, 13 of us did get in using this method!

The fencing was spectacular and being in the competition allowed me to fight against a variety of different styles, techniques and strategies.

Competition improves you and your fencing-I'd recommend everyone have a go.

The trick is to go to your first comp with a few people from the club, that way you can support each other and have a good laugh!

Avoid the Puffin brothers though-they're just bad news !

Regards,

Ian

I have only been fencing for about 10 weeks and thought I'd give the Slough Open a go. I wasn't expecting to do much, (seeing as how normally I can't hit the side of a barn with my epee), but I was pleasantly surprised by how I went. Competitions make you think more about how you fence. By coming up against new people all the time, (most of who can actually hit a barn), you pick up pointers from them and it also allows you to judge your fencing better. The other bonus is that the other competitors are normally good value and will give you tips if you ask.
Also, it's a bit of a laugh!
Ken Hanstock

My Slough Open

By Matthew Maynard

I started fencing about 15 years ago, but have only started again in the last year or so. I have done a couple of competitions, so I expecting good things from Slough. That weekend showed me how important it is to train regularly, as I hadn’t trained at all since well before Christmas. However I enjoyed the day even though I would have liked to have done better. Jo was around to give me a bit of advice, which was very useful and stopped me making a complete arse of myself! Looking forward to Birmingham and the Isle of Wight.

Competitions are fun even if you don’t win!

Ask Jo or Marc about competitions, or email Maggie:
info@126fencingclub.com

This is a very popular competition as Billy Bob found out when he enquired about entry 2 weeks before closing date-only to be told he was too late and on the reserve list of 20! After some deliberation (15 secs), he posted the form and cheque anyway.

Please note: Maggie does not approve of late entries! Turning up on the day waving bundles of notes, attempting to charm organisers etc, etc.

However, it worked and I did get in!

In all seriousness though, the popular competitions are oversubscribed so do get your entry in ASAP.

Friday the 13th dawned bright and early and Billy Bob and Georgie threw all the kit in the car, then went shopping for essentials for the journey such as fizzy drinks, jelly sweets and pringles, at one point we actually stopped and thought “are we promoting a healthy lifestyle here”? and promptly threw two bottles of water in the shopping basket!

We finished work and zoomed off M4-M3-M27-A335 to Lymington to catch the ferry. The Isle of Wight organisers had a special deal with Wight link (the ferry company) and special rates were laid on for the crossing. If you are thinking of going next year look at Solent swords website and see if they repeat the deal.

Unfortunately we had missed our ferry time due to problems on M3, so Billy Bob consoled himself with a Cornish pastie from the ferry “caff” and Georgie consoled herself with commenting on Billy Bob’s love affair with junk food. True to the spirit of the Puffins, Billy Bob retorts “Don’t you want that pastie “?

One and a Half pasties later-we boarded the ferry. Half an hour later we landed at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. As we drove off the ferry, Georgie casually asked, “Do you know where we’re going”? True to the spirit of the Puffins, Billy Bob replies “Course I Do”!

15 minutes later, after going in the wrong direction, turning round, stopping in a car park and asking some boy scouts for directions-we reached Savoy Village!

As we turned into the complex, Georgies eyes narrowed and she muttered, “I’m in Hell” this was in response to her finding out that she had no mobile phone reception.
The phrase was repeated as she read about the facilities the complex offered-lack of a nail bar being a major issue! The phrase was used again when Georgie saw the chalet and in particular the bathroom suite the chalet contained. Being a man of a gentle disposition and thoughtful nature acutely attuned to the sensitivities of his partner-Billy Bob lay on the chalet bed and laughed until he cried.

As evening approached we met Mark Walden-Puffin driving out of the complex, pleasantries were exchanged. Mark asked Georgie what she thought of the place - “I’m in Hell” was all she said.

The evening ended with Billy –Bob and Georgie heading off to the King’s Head in Yarmouth, I recommend it, it’s a good pub with a good food menu, however get there early, it’s gets really busy as the evening goes on. Later on Billy Bob heard a rumour that the other puffins were drinking in the holiday village bar. True to form, he headed barwards only to be confronted by lines of line dancers and people wearing Stetsons and spangly shirts! Stopped dead by this sight, he grew pale and ran shrieking into the night!

Saturday the 15th dawned dull and rainy. The 126 all met up at breakfast. the rest of the tables are quiet and reserved, the 126 are shouting and waving at each other!
We then go into the main hall to watch Marc and Jo fence in the foil.

Match follows match and Jo and Marc are doing extremely well, the 126 are cheering them on. In competition, it’s so important that you have some of the club there at times –its gives you that extra boost when you’re tired or you have had a couple of bad fights. However, nature gets the better of the Puffins, at lunchtime 6 of them scoot off to the The Vine pub in Freshwater!

After a very good lunch (Yet again can I recommend this pub, Good atmosphere, Good Beer and a Good menu). Three of the puffins looked at the sky and took the car back; three of the puffins went dancing in the rain and decided to walk back.
All six got back to the venue safely –Jo and Marc still doing well, Maggie appears asks “Where’ve you lot been?” we reply “lunch” her reply is unprintable!

As the foil comp. progresses, it becomes clear how difficult a weapon style this is to master. The hits have to be focused and delivered with precision; the fights leave one on tenterhooks at times, as advantage passes from one competitor to another. The end fights containing Jo and Marc were very good examples of this. Marc came 2nd and Jo came 3rd in the competition- I thought they were both brilliant!

Saturday evening we all went to the Wheatsheaf in Yarmouth, a cross between a pub and a resturant, good surroundings, good service, okay menu. General hilarity then ensued as Jo and Maggie presented the puffins with puffin badges, the three original puffins then doled out puffin badges to the other fencers there. The puffin thing started off as a laugh- I intend to keep it that way! If you want a badge-you fight for the 126 in competition, that’s the only criteria. We were also shown a cuddly puffin that we could win as some sort of achievement award! (it says it all doesn’t it !)

Now if you read the Birmingham Open report, you know I went to bed early for that competition (if you haven’t read that report, shame on you!)Working on the hypothesis, that when sober I didn’t win, if I stay up late and drink I will win. I stayed up late and drank, as did the other puffins. This led to the following scene-picture it if you will.

The night is dark; the pathway back to the chalets allows a shambling figure to stagger from one pool of lamplight to the other. Eventually he stops, he recognises the chalet he ‘s accommodated in. As the chalet door is in a deep lintel with an overhanging roof-there is little light, as the door is a dark brown colour-little light is reflected and the keyhole disappears into a shadowy void. Cue find the keyhole by hand, cue lose the keyhole as figure searches pockets for key, cue find the keyhole by hand, drop key, cue lose keyhole as figure picks key up from ground, find keyhole by hand, key wrong way up, change key round, key in lock-open door!

A peaceful nighttime scene meets the figure, all is quiet and serene, and Georgie is sitting up making a sword! However, the figure notices that the television is still on, true to the spirit of the puffins, the figure decides to off the television. Cue press a button-the channel changes, press button again channel changes back, Georgie raises eyebrows and looks at ceiling. Cue press button volume increases, press button again volume decreases Georgies eyes narrow and in the sweetest of tones she asks, “what are you trying to do “? Billy Bob Puffin (for it is he) replies “I’m trying to turn off the television.” Try the button on the far left hand side” she replies. Billy Bob presses said button-television turns off. Cue Georgie lying on bed laughing till tears roll down face.

“I’m in Hell “thinks Billy Bob Puffin.

Sunday comes bright and sunny. Billy Bob scarpers round to the registration desk to see if he has got in-yes his natural charm wins out again, he’s got a place! Rob Puffin not so lucky still on reserve list. However, he’s last seen hiding in a bush near the breakfast room armed with a cosh and a roll of duck tape! (His ingenuity knows no bounds!) At 08.30 he’s told he’s in the comp.

The 126 meet for breakfast, then into kit and into warm-up, Jo and Marc keep a beady eye on the Puffins as their attitude to warm-up is “cup of tea-oh yes please, that will warm me up quite nicely!” Billy Bob volunteers to have first lesson, then everybody has lesson and quick chat with the coaches. Much wishing of good luck then the comp begins.

Epee is fast and furious, I’m on piste 10 and I can’t see any of the brothers around, I’ll try to get round to see how their doing when I get a chance. I see Ken Puffin leaning against back wall, I wave at him but he looks as if he has just had a hard fight, he’s drinking from a water bottle and staring into space. I’m in a medium ability poule-but get beaten 5-1 in the first two fights. The next guy comes on and he’s got a French handle sword, I’m concerned about that –that means he’ll fight from a distance. However, I focus and beat him-my first win in comp-I’m exhilarated.theres a couple more 5-1s,a 5-3 and a 5-0.But that’s OK, I’ve my made my personal milestone for this comp.

The poule ends, Werner, Mark, Ken and Arthur are all doing well, Rob is in the “Poule of Death”, the poule is full of experienced fencers including Marc, and Matt Maynard so Robs doing the best he can.

The poules end, we check the rankings, everyone’s doing well. The next part is the direct elimination, a fight to fifteen hits to progress. The organisers announce this in good time, giving fencers time to get to the pistes and sort themselves out. Except for 3 of the puffins that are found “sitting outside drinking tea and eating sandwiches-completely oblivious to the fact there’s a second round”! (True puffin behaviour –serious respect due!)

In my elimination fight, Maggie comes to watch and offer advice; I’m doing well and following her advice leading points wise. However, my capacity for impetuous and impatient behaviour gets the better of me and I lose some easy hits to end up 15-12 down-I’m so disappointed, this defeat was down to me. However, I’ll reflect on it later as Ken Puffin has a fight starting on the same piste and I want to support him. It’s a good fight both he and his opponent have strong parries-so there’s much clanging of blades but Ken wins through in the end.

My comp ends at this point, but I go to support and watch the others who are still fencing.

My thanks to Jo, Marc, Matt, Maggie, Ken, Rob, Werner, Mark, Arthur, and especially Georgie for the support, encouragement and laughs.

What have I learned from this competition?

1.Control and use your aggression
2.Use your height and your arm length
3.Impatience has no place in the comp-lose it.
4.Be tactically aware-no impetuous moves –they lose you points.
5.Support each other-though you fight as an individual-you fight for the 126.

“A Camel is not a Puffin”

Regards, Billy Bob Puffin or Ian CB