The Hindu : Sport : Tay Yu Ling pips Mepstead to title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 27, 2006

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Tay Yu Ling pips Mepstead to title

Sports Reporter

CHENNAI: The 18-year-old Tay Yu Ling of Singapore, displaying good footwork, overcame Ciel Mepstead of England 12-11 in the women's individual foil event of the inaugural Commonwealth junior (under-20) fencing championship at the Nehru Indoor Stadium here on Thursday. However, another Singaporean Ruth Yi Lin lost in the quarterfinals.

Ken Rose, the seasoned Scotland coach, praised the Singapore girls.

"The four girls who took part in the direct elimination round were really good. Singapore has come up really well in the last few years."

With guidance from Russian coach Viacheslac Babok, Singapore is slowly and steadily beginning to make an impact and this was reflected in the performance of Ling and Lin.

Tough fight

Mepstead, who defeated the top seed Ceila Shiles of England in the semifinals, put up a stiff fight till the last minute. Ling led 9-6 in the second break and surged ahead 10-6 in the third and final stage. However, at 11-9, Mepstead got quick points with fine counter-attacks.

It was 12-11 with four seconds to go for the final whistle, but Ling coolly handled Mepstead's desperate bid.

Sweet win

"I owe this win to my coach Babok. It will remain a sweet memory for me," said Ling, who has just finished her schooling.

The second-seeded Alex O'Connell of England, the reigning under-17 World champion, made mincemeat of Jam Moncrieff (Scotland) 15-5 to win the men's sabre final.

Other results:

Women's individual foil (semifinals): Tay Yu Ling (Sin) bt Moniq Coleman (Nzl) 15-12; Ciel Mepstead (Eng) bt Ceila Shiles 15-14.

Men's individual sabre (semifinals): Alex O' Connell (Eng) bt Harr Moncreiff (Sco) 15-7; Jam Moncreiff (Sco) bt James Mizel (Eng) 15-14.

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