FROM a field of over 40 fencers, Swindon’s Elysia Bidgood won the Regional Under 12 Fencing Championships, making her the best fencer in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Buckinghampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Displaying good timing of her attacks and a sound defence in the pool seeding rounds, she won her first two bouts 5-0.

In both bouts, she led from the front, taking the fights to her opponents, both of whom left the piste in double-quick time looking rather bemused and unsure what had just happened.

Her variety in attack combined with tenacity in defence made her a real force to be reckoned with.

This defence saw her home in her next three contests as she emerged victorious 5-3, 5-2 and 5-1.

She then faced the other undefeated girl to see who would win their pool and get the overall higher ranking.

It was a nip and tuck affair with Bidgood going down 5-4 to leave her in second.

With so many entries, she then had a long wait as she took two byes into the direct elimination round.

In her first contest, she won 10-2 and the quarter finals 9-3, replicating the score in the semi-finals as well.

The final would see her against the same number one seed, who she lost to in the seeding round.

She won the first period 5-3, but would then see her lead reduced to one point until they reached 8-7.

Bidgood scored with a beautiful counter riposte to lead 9-7 before emerging a 10-8 winner with qualification into the British Youth Championships as her prize.