The Brenda twins, Thomas and Richard, claimed first and second places in the Under 17 Sabre Fencing competition held in Bristol this weekend.

The twins, aged 15 and both pupils at Alcester High School, are currently first and second in the National Rankings and Thomas is reigning England Champion.

Both boys had easy victories in the preliminary rounds and went into the elimination rounds as first and second seeds.

They easily dispatched their opponents until they reached the semi-finals where, true to form, they met the third and fourth nationally ranked fencers.

Richard had a difficult fight against the agile and very fast Harry Moncrieff from Scotland.

They traded hit for hit all the way to 14:14.

But Richard's greater control and experience gave him the edge to win by 15 hits to 14.

Thomas had an easier fight against Alex O'Connell from Brentwood.

Alex is an outstanding 14 year old, ranked fourth nationally, but lacked the tactical ability of the more experienced Thomas who simply waited for Alex to attack before beating him back. The score was 15:10.

In the family final the boys won equal hits to all other parts of the body except the sword arm where Thomas' natural advantage as a left-hander enabled him to hit Richard often enough to win by 15:12.

The boys' next outing is at the National Adult Championships in July where they will be competing against members of the 2000 Olympic Team.