Spider man cudgels his way to the top!

Backsworder crowned champion at annual tournament

A sportsman who trains in the medieval art of backswording has fought his way to the top to be crowned champion.

Tony Mager, who attends the Aisle O'var Backswording Clubbe, based in Arlesey, claimed the gold medal and trophy cup in the Colchester Oyster Fayre Cup on Saturday.

Tony, 27, competed for the second time in the championships, which saw him fight against his opponents in a number of rounds with a wooden cudgel.

The brave backsworder said: "I was thrilled to actually win the whole competition. When I found out a massive smile crept over my face, it was just brilliant.

"I took part in it last year as well but had to withdraw because I got struck on the hand and St John Ambulance who were there thought it was broken.

"So this year, apart from a few bruises, there were no major injuries and I was amazed I stayed in until the very end."

Tony, of Miles Drive, Clifton, has been a member of the group since it began in 2006, and decided to join up because he thought it sounded interesting.

He said: "It's every little boy's dream to grab a sword and start fighting with it.

"I knew Peter and Tina who run the club through work so I immediately joined up when they told me about it."

The idea of the sport is to attempt to 'break the other person's head,' which means to attempt to draw blood above the eyeline.

But for health and safety reasons all players now have to wear headgear, so a three strike rule is applied, meaning that if you strike the other fighter three times above the eyeline then you win the fight.

Tony, who has the nickname The Spider because of his long legs, added: "I am really proud to hold the champion title for the next year.

"It was quite hard to stay in the competition all the way, I ended up having to fight an extra time. But I am just over the moon."

For more information on the tournament and on backswording, and to see videos of the sport, click here.