ST ARVANS fencers Olivia and George Orchart found the going tough in the Birmingham International competition.

The event was the last major competition before selection for September's Commonwealth Fencing Championships so attracted a high-class field.

Sixteen-year-old Olivia struggled in the pool stage, grouped together with a number of top-ranked fencers, and had to fight to reach the last 64.

However, she was unable to progress further and ended up 62nd.

George, at 14 still in his first full season of senior competition, fought his way through the last-256 stage of the competition, but came up against the third seed in the next round and had to settle for 124th.