A MALVERN Wells competitor enjoyed trophy success at the Public Schools Fencing Championships.

London's Crystal Palace Sports Centre staged three tough days of competition as Alexander Cupper was crowned Master at Arms for his under 14s age group.

Cupper, a sports scholar at Millfield School in Somerset, finished third out of 72 entrants on the first day in the épée competition despite not picking up the weapon for over 12 months.

In his specialist category of foil there was a larger field of 91 including Cupper's fellow members of the England team.

The Worcestershire competitor eventually finished second after a close encounter in the final.

Cupper had not previously won a sabre fight at any level but he won six battles on the way to 16th place.

When all points had been calculated Cupper secured the trophy with 30 points, more than double the tally of the second-placed fencer.

Millfield enjoyed the overall tournament victory for the eighth successive year, winning 12 of the 18 school trophies available.