Old Boys fencing match
Guess it's not the Old Cholmelians vs the school match any more since the society dropped the "Old" bit for reasons that aren't entirely clear to me unless it's to make it sound less like an exclusive public school old boys' (and now girls) association. Not that that's what it is or anything...
Anyway, a few rude shocks:
Somewhat to my surprise, I actually managed to win 2 out of 3 of my foil bouts and the one I lost went to 5-4 (although that was rather galling as I led most of the way but rather ran out of puff). After the first bout, I remembered the reasons why I don't do much foil these days and why I probably should do more. Knackered doesn't begin to describe it!
By comparison, the epée was pretty straightforward as the school lacked experienced epéeists although all of us conceeded the first few points in our initial bouts, mainly because our opponents just weren't reacting like we expected epéeists to...
Other thoughts:
David was also distributing old team photos. Not sure of the wisdom of this but then (from my final year at Highgate):
and now:
So, overall, a very enjoyable match with a very convincing victory for the OCs but rather shattered for the rest of the day. On a rather sadder note, Akos, our legendary former coach, wasn't there, one of the first times that I can recall this happening. According to David, he's not expected to last much longer :-(
Anyway, a few rude shocks:
- for the first time that I can recall, it was at 9.45 in the morning. God, it's almost as bad as being at a competition! ;-)
- I was required to do foil!
Somewhat to my surprise, I actually managed to win 2 out of 3 of my foil bouts and the one I lost went to 5-4 (although that was rather galling as I led most of the way but rather ran out of puff). After the first bout, I remembered the reasons why I don't do much foil these days and why I probably should do more. Knackered doesn't begin to describe it!
By comparison, the epée was pretty straightforward as the school lacked experienced epéeists although all of us conceeded the first few points in our initial bouts, mainly because our opponents just weren't reacting like we expected epéeists to...
Other thoughts:
- Bit of a shock to see the Junior Field redeveloped into an enclosed hockey pitch
- You know you're getting old when: I assumed the person talking to David, our organiser, about team lists etc was not in fact the school team captain. She was actually the current teacher in charge of fencing!
- It was a little scary to realise that Phil, Paul and David were in the OCs team when I was at school i.e. some 25+ years ago. Paul, in particular, I suspect of having a portrait in his attic.
- Graham prodded me about returning to ULU. I'd love to, just as soon as I stop being 'Oop North on Tuesdays...
David was also distributing old team photos. Not sure of the wisdom of this but then (from my final year at Highgate):
and now:
So, overall, a very enjoyable match with a very convincing victory for the OCs but rather shattered for the rest of the day. On a rather sadder note, Akos, our legendary former coach, wasn't there, one of the first times that I can recall this happening. According to David, he's not expected to last much longer :-(