WORCESTER fencer Abigail Watkins tackled the first in a series of three women’s elite épée opens.

The 15-year-old, ranked 20 in Great Britain, was seeded seventh after the poules round and won her first direct eliminator comfortably.

Watkins then beat Amelia McCormack in a tactical bout and dispatched GB number five Julia Henson to reach the semi-finals.

The Malvern Hills Sword Fencing Club star then lost to Canadian 2016 Olympian Leonora MacKinnon who afterwards gave the county fencer some tips and commented on a cheeky leg hit.

Watkins, who is supported by CG5 and Sport Worcester, received the bronze 3T medal.

The Royal Grammar School Worcester pupil then won silver and Malvern Hills club-mate Louise Sadler, also 15, claimed bronze at the Leicester Open for seniors.

Emma Duxon from Chilwell Blades won the other 3T bronze and Loughborough University's Elsa Phillipson beat Watkins in the final to win gold.