It was the girls’ relay team of Olivia Green and Zoe Davison who fared best, narrowly missing out on a podium position with the boys’ team of George Budden and Toby Price coming home 6^th today. The Mixed Relay took place yesterday (Saturday 2^nd September) with James Wilton and Georgina Mitchell finishing 9^th.

Girls’ Relay

The girls’ relay began in the fencing hall with Wycliffe College’s Davison back to her best in the discipline, picking up 14 victories and just 4 defeats from her 18 bouts. Green, who finished 7^th in the individual competition on Thursday secured 8 victories meaning as a team they were 3^rd in the discipline standings with 22 victories and 14 defeats.

In the pool, the current British number one and number two stopped the clock in 2:04.38, the second quickest time in the field. It meant the Greater Manchester-Gloucestershire pairing were in third position after the opening two disciplines.

The British pair also performed well in the laser run, narrowly missing out on a medal after being overtaken by Italy in the final shoot. Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason commented “Today it was a great effort from the two girls. In the laser run they outran the opposition and looked amazing but one target was our downfall and it dropped us away from the bronze medal.”

Boys’ Relay

The boys’ relay followed a similar pattern to the girls with another marked improvement in the fencing hall from the individual competitions. Both Hampshire’s Budden and Yorkshire’s Price produced positive fences to finish with 21 victories and 15 defeats, finishing 4^th in the discipline standings. However, it could have been even better for the British duo as they were joint top of the standings heading into the last round, demonstrating how things can change so quickly in the fencing discipline.

Both boys qualified for the individual final on Friday, finishing 19^th and 29^th respectively, and a strong swim saw them record a time of 1:56.00, the fifth quickest in the field. It meant that 17-year-old Budden and 16-year-old Price were in 4^th place ahead of the concluding laser run.

The Brits held their own in the final discipline, eventually crossing the line 6^th to ensure the Championships ended on a positive note for the Pentathlon GB team.

Mixed Relay

The Mixed Relay took place yesterday with Warwick’s Georgina Mitchell and Kent’s James Wilton competing for Pentathlon GB. They also began their day in the fencing hall, picking up 12 victories and 28 defeats from their 40 bouts.

In the swim, the British duo who are both 3^rd on the respective Pentathlon GB boys’ and girls’ ranking lists, were one of seven teams to dip under the two-minute barrier; their time of 1:59.06 fifth quickest. It meant the Brits were in 10^th place after the opening two disciplines.

The British youngsters also performed strongly in the concluding laser run, running well and shooting accurately to pick up another place and finish the competition in 9^th.

Reflecting on the week as a whole, Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason commented “Whilst not making the podium, as a team we grew in confidence as the competition went through the days. We have taken a huge amount not only from this event, but also the Under 17 European Championships and Under 19 World Championships earlier in the summer.

“We have been stressing for two seasons that the laser run has become hugely significant in the outcome and medal placings at all levels of competition and this is becoming more evident. To see a 10min 30sec result from an Under 19 boy – with another time under 11 minutes – is a special performance.

The girls are just as strong and in both the boys and girls at all age categories we have to react to this.”

Stuart concluded “Overall our athletes competed to the best of their abilities and can now take some well-earned rest after a busy summer schedule.”

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Mo Marley’s side are preparing for the final round of Euro qualifiers later this month. But their opening match in southern Spain didn’t go according to plan as the Dutch went ahead just before the half-hour mark.

Arsenal youngster Evie Clarke levelled just after the restart but Netherlands scored twice more to claim all three points.

Next up for England is USA on Saturday (5pm GMT).

England: 1 Sian Rogers, 2 Emma Kelly, 3 Eloise Wilson, 6 Leah Williamson (C), 7 Keira Walsh, 9 Jenna Legg, 10 Evie Clarke, 14 Gabrielle George, 16 Grace Fisk, 18 Mayumi Pacheco, 20 Lucy Loomes.

Substitutions: 15 Rinsola Babajide for Loomes 70, 19 Chloe Peplow for George 70, 5 Sophie Stamp for Legg 82, 12 Mollie Rouse for Walsh 90+4.

Goal: Clarke 49

Report courtesy of the FA

In their second match against Sweden on Saturday England played out a 0-0 draw.

England U19s have also won their final match 1-0 against Denmark on Monday – I will add more information as soon as I can find out who scored the goal. The team finished the tournament well, with two wins and a draw.

The photo above is of Natasha Flint.