ALCESTER Grammar School pupils, brothers Tom and Richard Brenda, both 16, and from Alcester have been selected for the British team to compete in the sabre discipline at the World Youth Championships.

These take place in Trapini, Sicily, in southern Italy, April 3-14. The team will fly out on April 2 and return about April 14.

The fencing brothers qualified for the team by competing at top level events both at home and abroad. Both are ranked in the top 30 senior men in Britain and have already represented the West Midlands at senior level.

Richard and Tom started the season in September in the top three places of the cadet (under 17) national ranking list. Richard was in second place and throughout the season stretched his lead over the third position. Thomas was always involved in a struggle with Scotsman Harry Moncrieff. The two youngsters had been within one per cent of each other until they faced each other in the last cadet international of the season in Germany. There Thomas saw off his rival, beating him by a massive 15-7.

Tom's display of calm, determined courage under such duress earned him is secure place in the team. The formal ratification of the selections came last week.

Older brother David Brenda, 18, joins the England sabre team this weekend for the Junior Home International against Wales, Ireland and Scotland.