ALCESTER youngster David Brenda took on fencers from around the world when his school, Stratford's King Edward VI took part in the Cole Cup international team sabre event.

The school began with a 45-27 defeat of Northern Ireland B before slumping to a narrow 45-42 defeat against a composite team from Australia and New Zealand -- a match which the school was leading at halfway.

And as this was a senior (Open) team event, all their opponents were adult and, in most cases, had been fencing longer than the KES boys had been alive.

Teams from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, The Netherlands and Northern Ireland took part in the competition with individuals taking part in the Coupe du Nord.

Brenda's next tournament is likely to be next month's British Team Championships at RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton.