The Hindu : Sport : Australia takes men's epee gold

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 29, 2006

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Australia takes men's epee gold

Sports Reporter

CHENNAI: Despite the absence of key fencer Joe Slowiaczek, Australia overcame England 45-42 in the men's epee team final of the inaugural Commonwealth junior under-20 fencing championship at the Nehru Indoor Stadium here on Saturday. On the penultimate day, England is leading the medals tally with 13 followed by Australia with six.

Slowiaczek's withdrawal due to stomach upset did affect Australia's plans, but it managed its resources wonderfully well to put it across a strong England team. "On paper, we were the weaker team," said Steven Lim, Australia's Manager. "Today all of them did their job perfectly."

According to the rules, each team with three members plays three members of the opponents' in a league-format. The team, which reaches 45 hits first or is leading at the end of the ninth bout (each bout lasts three minutes) is deemed the winner.

After a sluggish start, Dean Williams put Australia back in lead (35-34) in the seventh bout defeating James Thornton. Martin Camilleri attacked with gusto in the ninth and final bout to defeat England's Tom Bennett and take Australia to the victory podium. "Dean was the turning point. He gave us the confidence to fight back," said Lim.

India bags bronze

India bagged the third bronze medal in the championship through its `A' team in the women's epee team event. The team members are Ruchi Trikha, Narj Lakshmi Narjala and Samashakhi Laishram.

The results:

Men's epee (final): Australia bt England 45-42; (semifinals): Australia bt New Zealand 45-26; England bt Scotland 45-29.

Women's epee (final): Eng bt Malaysia 45-29; (semifinals): England bt Australia 45-37; Malaysia bt India `A' 45-41.

Women's sabre (final): Scotland bt Northern Ireland 45-43; (semifinals): Scotland bt Wales 45-38; Northern Ireland bt England 45-44.

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