SIMON Marks made a bitter-sweet international debut at the European Fencing competition in Budapest, Hungary.

Sixteen-year-old Simon, who competes for Harrogate Fencing Club, finished as the top-seeded Great Britain fencer after the pool stages of the cadet epee competition.

But unfortunately for the York Sixth Form College pupil he failed to make it into the last 64 and left the competition with no World Championship qualifying points.

Simon, who lives in Acomb, will now look for his first points when he heads to Bristol for the Under-17s and U20s British Championship from October 27-28.

Marks is also set to travel to Italy and Germany in the coming months as he attempts to qualify for 2002 World Championships in Turkey.

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, October 20, 2001