Mike, Ben and I left Nottingham just after 9 to head up to Stalybridge near Manchester. Although I'd entered the 

event a few years ago, Mike and Ben hadn't and we'd decided to go for some practice.

When we arrived it became clear that Mike was the highest ranked fencer, with Duncan Rowlands of Laszlo's 

second, Ben third and me fifth. Into the first round of pools - Mike and Duncan win all of their fights, and so do I, 

beating the (slightly) higher ranked fencer in my pool. Ben narrowly loses one. This means that we are each the 

highest seeded fencer in our second pool.

Ben, Mike and I all win all of our fights. One of the fencers in Mike's pool had to withdraw due to injury, so I have 

the better indicators and become number 1 seed. Mike is 2, Ben 3 and Duncan 4.

We all get byes through the first DE round, and then all get through the L16 round easily. Into the last 8, and I'm 

the first to fight. Although I lead all the way, my opponent does get close a couple of times. 

Mike and Ben also get through.

In the semi-finals, I face Duncan, whilst Mike and Ben must fence each other for a place in the final. Although not 

very one-sided, I never get close and finish third. Mike and Ben are close all the way, Mike eventually winning 

15-13.

Ben 'volunteers' to referee the final, and the match starts close - Mike leads 8-7 at the break. Mike then pulls away 

in the second period to win 15-9.

Not only is this Mike's first ever Open win (following a second and a third in the last two Nottingham Opens), but 

also the first time Ben or I have won anything other than a club or regional medal.

Whilst we've been doing this, Nickola has been making her way through the women's event. She lost one fight in 

each of the two pools, and finished with identical results to another fencer. The computer tossed a coin and she 

finished as number four seed going in to the DE.

After a bye in the L16, she wins her L8 fight 15-4 to secure a medal. Into the semi-final, and the computer's coin 

toss becomes important. Nickola must now fight the number one seed, who had already beaten her in the pool. 

Nickola fenced well, but her opponent worked out how to beat her - so Nickola finished with a third place.

In the final, the fencer who beat Nickola wins comfortably - after being 8-0 up at the break.

So four fencers, and four trophies. Only a handful of ranking points, but a good day out - I think we'll be back 

next year.