Ealing Fencing Blog 2

Although I felt lucky to be en guard against a toy boy, I proved to be anything but his equal in terms of skill or fencing etiquette.

In fact, he actually made me blush after asking me 'what I was doing?' when I failed to put in to practice the new blocking moves Matthew Gale had taught the class (which had grown to a total of 17 this week).

Perhaps I failed to grasp that in fencing, there is no gentlemanly behaviour; ladies do not go first; it's every man for himself to take that 'right of way' giving you the power and authority to strike your partner.

It is then up to them whether they defend themselves by blocking the foil, pushing it away and then striking you before you've even had the chance to catch your breath.

Or, you move back in that waltz-like dance step or the third option, and by no means the best, your struck in the chest and watch that point be awarded to your opponent.

So, unable to charm David with my new found or lack of skills, I was relieved to be moved on to someone new, and despite being caught off guard with a left-hand fencing partner (our foils perfectly aligned), he got me jumping to his every command, responding to his lunges, strikes and forward steps, sending my heart in a flutter as I tried to keep up the pace.

Although my pride was wounded, I'll be looking forward to next week's class at St Benedict's School in Eaton Rise.

Next time, we will be philosophising over 'le sentiment du fer' - the fencer's sense of touch and pondering on whether to riposte directly, in the same line you have found the blade, or to change lines.