Opposition feel the Payne
The end of last term saw the Oxford men's and women's fencing teams head to Nottingham for the BUSA Individual Championships. A massive event held over three days with one men's and women's event per day it presented the idea opportunity for Roz Hull (OXILP) and Libby Payne (Sports Federation President) to stamp their authority on the sabre and epee events respectively.
Roz was up first on the Friday and after conceding a mere 5 hits in her first round poule she was seeded second. She swiftly carved her way through the first two elimination rounds giving away just two hits per fight to reach the last eight. Here she faced a tougher opponent but quickly adjusted and took the fight comfortably. A performance she repeated in the semi-final to win 15-8. In the final she met Lisa Hoole of Cambridge who despite rallying hard in the terms earlier BUSA match was only able to take 5 hits as Roz stormed to victory.
The following day Libby faced the task of equalling Roz's superb performance and started off well. Taking no prisoners in her first round poule she conceded only 9 hits, a very low number for epee, and was subsequently in pole position going into the elimination rounds. A bye through the first round followed by three easy victories 15-5, 15-7 and 15-8 saw her safely into the semi-finals. Here she met Jenna Ashton, a foil specialist from Durham. Quickly working out the tactics to employ, Libby built up an enormous lead in a somewhat dull fight to watch and walked out the winner 15-5. In the final Libby faced her toughest opponent, who is actually ranked slightly higher nationally, Sarah-Jane Stewart from Northumbria. After a tentative start by both girls the lead changed hands three times before Libby opened up a crucial 6-4 lead. Form here on in she took control of the fight and dominated an increasingly grumpy and careless Stewart, allowing her only three more hits as she claimed victory 15-7.
In all the other events bar the men's epee there was at least one Oxford fencer placed in the last 16, with Roz claiming a last 8 in the foil event. Oxford were the only university to win two events, but sadly neither victor is eligible to fence in the first team Varsity Match, the Varsity Games point for the second team match does however seem a certainty if both Libby and Roz remain injury free.
15th Jan 2004