Mark Alexander produced the best home club performance in the York Fencing Club's Open Championships when he reached the foil semi-finals.

More than sixty competitors, including two New Zealanders, took part in the Merlin Enterprises sponsored championships at York RI.

Jonny Allatt, of Salle Jakab, won the foil final, beating Kiwi Richard Hare, who is on a fencing holiday in Europe with epeeist Ben Broom. Hare was unable to cope with Allatt's counter-attacks and lost 15-6. Peter Hewitt, of Ashton, beat Steve Watson in a fight-off for third place.

The epee was won by 15-year-old Jonathan Willis, of Stockport, who beat Broom in the final. Sheffield's Howard Wheeler was third, beating Robert Falcon, of Lancashire. Steve Baddeley (Salle Jakab) won the sabre event, followed by team-mates Cameron Hall and Jonathan Altringham.

Lancashire's Barbara Maddocks won the ladies epee competition and received the special veterans' award. Carole Seheult (Salle Jakab) was runner-up, followed by Susan Chadwick (Hull). Gillian Turner won the ladies foil event.

York Fencing Club's summer pokal foil competition will be held at the Barbican Centre on June 13. The club's next course for beginners starts on September 16. Details from Ymit Sina on York 411341.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.