SWINDON Fencing Club are celebrating their first female national champion after Lottie Jordan won the English U11 Girls Epee title.

Jordan was one of four pupils from Pinewood School in action at the annual England National Championships, which took place at the University of Hertfordshire, with the youngster delivering a first national title for the school.

Alongside Jordan, Zac Fitzgerald fenced in both foil and epee, Ben Turner contested the foil in his first year at U13 and Randeep Grewal went in the U13 sabre.

Jordan has been fencing at Pinewood for four years and has seen her skill rise to a new level over the past 12 months under coach Neil Bromley.

The championships were a test of skill, patience, composure and control, with Jordan required to fence in five pool bouts, with the winner scoring five hits before going into direct elimination.

Seeded number one after the pool round having won all her bouts, she had a further three direct elimination bouts before progressing to the semi-finals.

It was nip and tuck all the way and she found herself 9-7 down in the latter stages of the contest before battling back to w10-9 in extra time.

Jordan then went on to take the title of U11 Girls England Epee Champion, winning 10-6 in the final against the number two seed.

“After the nail-biting semi-final, I relaxed and composed myself, knowing there was one more bout ahead,” said Jordan.

“There was a long break until the final so beforehand, Mr Bromley warmed me up again and we practiced tactics for the final.

“They worked very well and once I had built a lead, I felt confident I could stay ahead until the end. I’m so happy to have won this event.”

Pinewood School director of sport James Siebert added: “We are thrilled with Lottie’s win. She has shown incredible dedication, determination and talent for sword fencing and we are pleased we are able to support her in pursuing her passion.

“With support from Neil, we can look to the British National Championships next year to push on again.

“At Pinewood, we give every child the opportunity to find a sport or activity where they can excel and we are very proud of the diverse range of sports and opportunities we provide here.”