The Scottish Veterans Team for the Quad was notable this year for 9 of the 22 selected, fencing in their first Home Nations event for Scotland.
With Hugh Kernohan confined through covid the men’s epee team were all debutants. Their highlight was storming back in their last three fights against Wales from 22-30 down to lose 43-44 in overtime. A rousing match to watch.
Woman’s epee bucked the trend with no debutants. In fact, Karen Grant, Maggie Tait and Lorna Smith have fenced together in 8 Quads and 3 Commonwealths since 2013.
For women’s sabre it was great to have a team of four sabreurs, with the youngest vet Roz Graham and the oldest female vet Viv Frith in the team.
The 'highlight' for men's foil was a very high-quality match with England which ended in an agonising 44-45 loss. At 44-44 a strong lunge attack for Scotland landed off target on a mask wire tag. England then took the final hit on the very next action with a piste length series of attacks finally ending with the hit arriving as Scotland reached the back line.
England won the overall event with Ireland the only other nation to achieve a weapon win at women’s foil. It was an enjoyable weekend and good practice for the Commonwealths in August, telling us where work is required.
We look forward to the next event in Dublin in 2023 and Scotland in 2024.
Earning their first cap for Scotland were:
Ruth Davidson - WF
Malcolm Downie - ME
Niall Campbell - ME
Andrew Brown - ME
Rory Gibson - MF
Roz Graham - WS
Yvonne Walls - WS
Richard Foster - MS
Lindsay Rodgers - MS
