Get right to the point

THINK fencing and you think of swashbuckling heroes overcoming evil, public schoolboys settling disputes and gentry throwing down gauntlets for a lady's honour.

But most of all, the sport of fencing is seen by many as something of an elitism for the public school classes.

Despite my southern accent, I am not what you would call posh. So when I went along to a session with the Ridings Sabre Club at Pocklington I was pleasantly surprised to see that despite its lofty image, they were actually quite normal.

First up was a game of hockey to warm up.

"Fencing is primarily an individual sport," says coach Adam Waller. "But you need an idea of teamwork for team competitions.

"The other good thing is that it's a good way to get to know everyone.

Even if it's only 'that's the one who fell over their stick'."

Or let in the winning goal, as in my case.

But they're a pretty friendly bunch.

All but one of the students are male and most aged between ten and 15 with a few adults.

"It would be good to get more girls," said Adam. "But they don't tend to like getting their hair and make up all messed up at that age."

I nodded but thought that was a bit extreme until I experienced hair-blindness in the mask an hour later.

The basics of sabre fencing are essentially simple. An 'L'-shaped stance is formed with the sword-hand leg pointing forwards and the back leg at right angles.

Knees bent, sabre held so it forms a protective diagonal across the body with hand turned outward.

There are three attacks to head, and either side of the body and three parries to block them.

And you get closer to or keep your distance from your opponent with your feet - a deft co-ordinated shuffle that is harder than it looks.

Keeping your left arm out of the way is not - at least as far as I could tell - an essential requirement. But I spotted several of the younger ones doing this and realised why later on when a glancing blow caught me between the little and ring fingers of my left hand, which was flailing about for balance.

Only after being hit twice more in the exact same position (I'm sure it would have been impossible to do it on purpose) was the message drummed into me and I made an effort to keep it out of the way.

Simple as the basics are, putting them together is a little bit harder. Before long I had turned into a crazed blood-thirsty monster in a perfect demonstration of what Adam calls the 'mad-axeman' phase that every beginner goes through.

Instead of following the attack-parry-riposte pattern, I would just get a mental block and go all out for an attack-parry-riposte-attack-attack-attack.

According to the more experienced sabreurs, there aren't any set physical requirements. Being light on the feet can be of an advantage, but a heavier set or less mobile swordsman can be equally efficient at a localised level with more defensive tactics.

Wheelchair users can get involved and are renowned for having an unrivalled hand speed that has seen off the regular Great Britain team.

More important is the ability to read your opponent and react accordingly, building up an unconscious memory of the moves to make them practically automatic.

It's hard work, especially on the left leg and right arm, both of which were soon burning, and all the glamour of this noble sport flew out of the window as I became drenched in sweat along with everyone else in the hall.

You don't have to be a millionaire to train with the Ridings. There is no membership fee and sessions cost £4.20 for two hours, including kit and equipment. It costs more to compete but the rewards are there for the taking.

Fancy having a stab at fencing?

Ridings Sabre Club - Weapons: Sabre. When: Wednesday 7pm to 9pm. Who: Men and women ages ten and up. Where: Francis Scaife Leisure Centre, Burnby Lane, Pocklington. Contact: 01759 305052.

York Fencing Club - Weapons: Foil, epee, sabre. When: Tuesday and Friday 7.30 pm to 9.30pm. Who: Anyone aged eight plus. Where: Archbishop Holgate's School, Hull Road, York. Contact:

www.yorkfencingclub.cwc.net or email socs126@york.ac.uk for details of next beginners course.

Harrogate Fencing Club - Weapons: Foil and sabre. When: Wednesday 7pm to 9.45pm. Who: Men and women. Where: Granby School Gym, Claro Road, Harrogate. Contact: www.harrogatefencing.fsnet.co.uk

Moving up the fencing ladder

IN just six years, 25-year-old Adam Waller has gone from beginner to Great Britain international and coach and is enjoying one of his best seasons yet.

The transformation has not been exactly easy.

He took up the sabre at university and quickly became hooked, practising six days a week to master the footwork, tactics and techniques needed to be a force in the competitive sport.

He moved back to North Yorkshire and set up the Ridings Sabre Club in Pocklington - the first one-weapon club in the area - and started to pass his skills on to others.

He said: "Most fencing coaches see sabre as the third weapon after foil and epee but I have always concentrated on sabre and that's why we get so much success."

Competing at such a high level brings with it international call-ups and the associated cost of self-funding which would be near impossible to meet if it were not for the help of his sponsors First Title Insurance.

This season has been his best so far - despite taking a rare 15-0 battering in one bout of a recent tournament, where he finished 23rd - and he is currently ranked 34th in the country, a new personal record. But there is still plenty yet to come.

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, November 06, 2004