1-0
The bout begins with a long beat-disengage fleche by Bratton. He takes advantage of his opponent’s willingness to parry and finishes strong. This attack sets the tone for the rest of his bout. Bratton scores many of his points with strong finishes.
2-0
The second touch is a point for Bratton, as he gives Beran his blade, prompting a fleche. Bratton steps back and finishes the hit. The step back is an important part of Bratton’s approach, because he has to maneuver around the height of Beran.
3-1
Bratton gains confidence and aggressiveness after the initial two points. He pushes with quick blade-work and finishes quickly; however, Beran finally uses his length and manages to secure the double.
4-1
Both fencers miss close chances, reset, and Beran begins to push again. He tests Bratton by giving him his blade and pulling back. This proves to be a mistake later in the bout. He tries to present his blade again, but Bratton hits him while he is pulling his arm back.
5-2
A pretty basic sequence. Bratton hopes to take advantage of his momentum and goes for a feint- fleche. Beran simply extends. Double.
6-2
Bratton lets Beran push him back. Bratton suddenly starts pushing and hits a beautiful beat attack. Beran can’t overcome the speed of Bratton’s attack and misses.
7-3
Beran again pushes Bratton, who responds with a quick beat fleche. This time, Beran is able to respond by stepping in and getting the double. It is important to note that Bratton does not simply go backwards and let himself be pushed- he makes retreats while making quick steps forward to keep his opponent nervous.
7-4
Beran looks more energetic. His movements are choppier but also quicker. He uses this to his advantage when he closes the distance with a strong, accurate lunge. This becomes a common theme in his comeback.
7-5
Beran gives Bratton a taste of his own medicine. He pushes the American and suddenly explodes with a beat disengage fleche. This is one of the only combination actions that Beran has done so far. Another aspect of this touch is the pause before the beat fleche. This causes Bratton to hesitate (he is unsure what Beran will do) and gives Beran the upper hand.
8-5
Beran looks like he is gaining momentum. Both fencers attack. Beran goes low and Bratton steps in with a beat, pulls back, and finishes from close distance. It is very difficult to score for Beran, as he is in a weak position (his blade is near the ground), and Bratton has leverage. This is why it is important for toe touches to be executed in the right distance (i.e. not when your opponent is getting in too close).
8-6
Beran manages to complete his ‘signature’ move- he gives his blade, pulls back, and then finishes strong when he sees that Bratton has taken the bait.
8-7
Beran makes a deep attack under Bratton’s arm. Bratton extends, giving Beran a clear path. An important part of this touch was the slight blade contact the Beran made, causing his opponent to extend and expose himself.
9-7
Beran gets too cocky in this touch. Without much preparation, he makes a feint to the foot followed by a fleche. However, Bratton does not react to the feint and calmly steps back, landing a brilliant back flick.
10-8
Bratton gives his arm, Beran attempts to take it, Bratton disengages. This could have been a single for Bratton, but since Beran tried taking the blade while moving his arm forward, he landed a double.
11-9
Beran makes a couple close flicks to the hand. His tactic of extending and pulling back to draw out an extension seems like a good idea, but in this bout it hasn’t worked too well. As one of my coaches once said, “Do what you have to do, not what you like to do”. Beran makes an attack to Brattons arm, Bratton attempts to take 6 and finish, Beran disengages and hits. Double.
11-10
A lucky touch, but a touch nevertheless. Beran makes a series of attacks and ducks trying to hit Bratton. Bratton likely misses his stop-hit because of Beran’s low position. Beran hits Bratton after getting back up out of his duck.
12-10
Bratton scores on Beran's knee/leg as he is stepping forward.
13-10
This is where Beran’s habit of pulling back costs him. He steps in with his arm pulled back, and Bratton drills him with a fleche. Since, Beran’s blade was pulled back and pointing up, his extension went right over Bratton. He knows that he messed that one up.
13-11
Beran pushes actively before making a duck attack. Bratton misses to the foot.
13-12
Beran takes advantage of Bratton’s parries. He again actively pushes forward. He makes Bratton parry down, and finishes strong before Bratton can bring his blade up again.
13-13
Bratton fleches and both fencers miss. Beran tilts his body and hits Bratton from close range.
14-13
Bratton beats in eight when Beran ducks and extends. Bratton finishes with a fleche and scores. This was a good use of close distance for Bratton. Surprisingly, he takes the initiative and crashes the distance.
15-13
Bratton falls back before pushing for the first time in the bout. He makes a lunge while he cuts the blade in six and goes straight to the chest. The American wins! This was a superb action for multiple reasons: it was fast, but it was also unexpected, given the previous few touches.