MALVERN schoolboy Alexander Cupper achieved a notable feat in his fencing career at a tournament in Bristol.

The Malvern Wells youngster is currently ranked in the top 10 foilists in the United Kingdom in the under 11s age group and second in the under nines.

In a long, tiring day, Cupper met the current British champion Lim in the tournament final.

They had battled on three previous occasions earlier in the season with the Worcestershire boy losing every time by a solitary point.

Earlier in the tournament in the south-west, Cupper, upon seeing he may again be facing his nemesis, had decided he was not going to let his opponent defeat him for a fourth consecutive time.

Cupper, who is a pupil at The Downs Malvern in Colwall, was quiet, focused and determined for the big contest.

An intense battle ensued with fantastic skill being demonstrated by both boys.

The final entered the third and final period with Cupper needing two points to win and Lim requiring five.

The first score of the period went to Lim, which was greeted with an almighty cheer from his team-mates.

But Cupper was not phased and only became even more focused on achieving success.

Two quick points to Cupper then ensured the contest was all over.

An exhausted but elated Malvern boy left the piste basking in the glory of beating the British champion in a fair, equal contest.

His win boasted mental determination, physical fitness and skill, according to his father Alan.

Cupper trains with Herefordshire Fencing Club and also with the Southern Marches Sword Academy, which are both based in Hereford.