Varsity 2026: Fencing stay sharp to add points to Warwick tally

There was more success in the sports hub for Warwick on Varsity, as the fencing team poked and prodded their way past a small but mighty Coventry contingent on Saturday.

With the piste and scoreboard rolled out in Zone D of the Sports Hub, the opening moments of the event were decidedly laid back. Exciting cheers from the rowdy Indoor Cricket crowd could be heard intermittently from next door, but Warwick’s fencing outfit, composed of nine duelists competing across épée, sabre and foil, calmly went about their pre-bout preparations. Coventry’s three fencers watched on quietly, aware that their goal of a Varsity win was likely to be an uphill battle.

Foil

The first event of the three was the foil, a variation of fencing where only shots to the body are permitted. The aim of each weapon is to reach a score of 45 before the other team, switching fencers at every interval of five.

Warwick started well but were soon pegged back by Coventry’s more aggressive second man, who levelled the score to six apiece. The visitors then went ahead to lead 7-10, before once again the scores were levelled up by Warwick. A strong showing from Warwick’s third meant that they held a lead of 15-12. Back in again, Warwick’s second fencer battled well with Coventry’s first, and despite some close calls extended the advantage to 20-14.

Issues with the scoring equipment increased the tension around the midway mark, but Warwick scraped their way up to a score of 25-19 after the interval. In the bouts that followed, Warwick would steadily increase the gulf between the two teams, and victory was soon within touching distance at 35-26. In the end, the deficit proved insurmountable, and Warwick took their first victory of the day with an air of comfort.

Epée

Off the back of that win, Warwick were quick out the blocks in the épée, racing ahead to a score of 5-0. For the remainder of the tie, the appearance of Coventry’s unusual varsity mascot inside Zone D seemed to spur the visitors to a comeback. Warwick fenced well, but could not prevent Coventry from edging ahead near the midway point with a score of 18-20.

In retaliation to Coventry celebrating every point with a loud cheer, the Warwick faithful got behind their fencers, and spurred them on to victory.

Warwick got their noses back in front in the next bout, bringing the score to 25-24, and Coventry were forced into a more pragmatic style compared to their early aggression.

With the score at 29-30, the piste grew quiet. Some good strikes to the torso gave Warwick a narrow lead, and they fought through a difficult period to bring the score to 35-32. With Warwick’s bear mascot now also watching on, the home team showed their superiority to take control. Coventry fought valiantly, but after an intense match could not prevent Warwick from winning with a final score of 45-35. With that result, the visitors saw their slim chances of varsity points slip away.

Sabre

There was still more fencing to come, and the final weapon was arguably the most exhilarating.

Warwick once again started quickly, and were once again pinned back by Coventry, who despite numbering only three fencers did well to conceal their tiredness. Breathless attacks from the visitors brought the score to 9-10, but from there it was evident that the match could only go one way.

Warwick went on to win fifteen consecutive points without reply, storming ahead to a lead of 25-10. Coventry did well to respond to the deficit, but with the next bout resulting in a scoreline of 30-22, Warwick were able to bring the third and final win home at a canter. Composed fencing from Ben Warwick and Caelan Hullock resulted in a closing scoreline of 45-28, and more points on the Varsity board from Warwick Fencing in an assured performance from all.