KIRBY fencer Myles Ashforth won another medal at the Eastern Region Youth Championships.

Having already struck gold in the Epee, he gained a bronze in the foil and also came fifth in the sabre, just missing out on qualification for the British Youth Championships.

Fifteen-year-old Ashforth fenced in the under-16 boys' sabre, despite never having had a lesson in that category.

In fact, he had only ever fenced it once, at last year's Eastern Region competition.

The Tendring Technology College student won four of his five poule fights, ranking him third in the direct eliminations (DEs).

It was also enough to earn him a bye at the next hurdle.

In the last-eight DE, Ashforth met the sixth seed.

Starting well, he took the lead but his opponent rallied after the break, having had a chance to speak to his coach, and took an 11-6 lead.

Ashforth fought back, bringing the score to 14-all.

The next attack saw both fencers' lights on the scoring box, but the hit was given to Ashforth's opponent.

He finished fifth overall, just missing qualification for the British Youth Championships.

The day before, Ashforth had fenced in the under-16 boys' foil.

After the poule fights, he was ranked fifth.

After a bye in the first round, he knocked out the 12th and fourth seeds, both 15/2.

In the semi-final, Ashforth met the number one seed.

Trading hits in the first period, the scores were level at the first break.

His opponent then took the lead and Ashforth could not find a way to counter the attacks and eventually he was defeated 15/9.

This earned him the bronze medal.