Three youngsters got straight to the point when they fought their way to major awards at the Essex County Junior Fencing Championships.

Under the watchful eye of British number one fencing champion James Beevers, the talented trio from Canvey-based Cyrano Fencing Club scooped two gold medals and a bronze at the event held at the Anglia University in Chelmsford.

En garde - Philip Kastner (left) and Danny Holt with James Beevers Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Danny Holt, nine, won a gold medal in the under-11s section with fellow teammate Alexander Moss-Austin, 11, of Kings Road, Westcliff, gaining the bronze.

And 12-year-year-old Philip Kastner, of Fowler Close, Southend, struck gold in the under-13s contest.

It was a remarkable achievement for young Danny, of Clarence Road, Benfleet, who has only been fencing for just a few weeks.

The youngsters regularly train at Canvey's Waterside Farm Sports Centre alongside Beevers, of Darlinghurst Grove, Leigh, who represented Great Britain at the Sydney Olympics and is busy preparing for the forthcoming games in Athens 2004

Anne Hanrahan, who runs the Cyrano Fencing Club, said: "All three lads did really well to win their medals."

Published Thursday, April 17, 2003

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