Millfield school hosted the British Schools Team Championships this weekend.  Freemen's had one team entered in the U11 Girls event.  Representing Freemen's were Sophie Arter, Jessica Barnor and Elina Dernika.  This was to be their first team fencing competition.  Team events comprise 9 fights per match, each team member fencing each member of the opposing team in a relay to 45 points.  They can be very exciting with the lead often switching several times during the course of a match.

Unfortunately for us this event was the first scheduled competition of the day with an early check in time of 8.15am.  Fortunately the team arrived in Somerset on time and the event was well underway by 9am.

First match was against Hill House (Knightsbridge).  This was a tough first round draw as they had won this event 12 months ago!  So a hard match to kick off with.  However the Freemen's girls fenced brilliantly.  Close for most of the match, but at the end Jess was able to anchor the team to victory, Freemen's winning by a narrow margin of 45-42.

Their second match was a little less close with the team fencing well to beat Plymouth College, who have a well-established Fencing and Modern Pentathlon Program, Freemen's winning 43-33.

The next round was against hosts Millfield who have the most fantastic of sports facilities of almost any school in the country.  Once again the team powered through to victory 43-31.
In their last match they took on Guildford High School.  By now confidence was high, Freemen's taking the match with a comfortable 45-23 victory.

Each team member put in excellent individual performances.  Better still though was the team effort - when any one fencer struggled or had a loss, the other two fencers were able to make up & overturn the deficit, with Elina, Sophie & Jessica all putting in great performances over the course of the day. 

So undefeated at the end of the day.  An excellent performance from a group that have been fencing less than 18 months.  Well done to all the fencers and thanks to the parents for their support (and very early start)

City of London Freemen’s School: GB U11 Girls British Schools Épée Champions!!