IT WAS a case of same again for Gwent Sword Club at the weekend as last year's senior and junior champions both retained their titles in the club's annual foil competition.

Conditions were far from ideal for the competition at Chepstow Leisure Centre, with several fencers struggling in the heat.

In the seeding rounds of the senior competition, Hugh Kocan, who took bronze last year, held a narrow lead over 2017 champion James Aichinger.

Neither of them was seriously challenged until they met in the final, where Aichinger pulled back an early deficit to take the title 15-11.

Sharing third place were Richard Thomas and Alex Smith.

The junior competition was a little short of entries, but Theo Craig emerged unbeaten, defeating Eloise Lloyd 10-4 in the final, with William Lloyd and Amelia Lloyd taking the bronzes.

Olivia Barbieri took the prize for most improved fencer, finishing in fifth place, nine places higher than her 2017 result, and Amelia Lloyd was best novice fencer.

Gwent Sword Club meet on Mondays at Newport and Fridays (from September) in Chepstow. For details, e-mail diffords@virginmedia.com