Out of a field of 14 starters to the championship, Mansfield and Davies finished ranked one and two respectively after the pool rounds.

Davies won his first direct eliminations bout 15-5 and overcame Oscar Hargraves from the University of Sydney in the second 15-8.

Mansfield dominated his first elimination bout 15-3 and backed it up with a win over University of Sydney’s Andrew Cook 15-5.

The elimination wins set up an all-Highlands final.

Mansfield, from Southern Highlands Fencing Academy, took the first period 9-5 before Davies of Colo Vale stormed back to within one point at 10-9.

But Mansfield responded to the challenge to win out over Davies 15-10 in an exciting final session.

In the under-20 women’s Epee State championships, Rachael Alchin of Bowral and Laura Kent of Frensham finished in equal third place. Both girls fenced very well on the day.

o Southern Highlands Fencing Academy is looking for new members. They welcome Highlanders to join them on Friday evenings from 6.30pm at the Cynthia Parker Gymnasium at Frensham.

Entry is $10 which includes equipment hire. Participants must be over eight years old.