The Largs and Millport Weekly News has teamed up with the Commonwealth Fencing Championships to bring you a fantastic 2 for 1 ticket offer.

Taking place 10-15 November at sportscotland Inverclyde National Centre, free matches taking place from 9am throughout each day with finals and medal matches, which are ticketed events, starting at 6pm.

Tickets cost £10 per adult £5 per child/concession or £50/£25 for all six medal matches taking place throughout the week. Simply present the fencing article from this week's paper when you purchase tickets from Largs Library for the 2 to 1 ticket offer, subject to availability.

Fencing is an exciting mix of athletic sport and tactical combat – great to watch and to even more fun to take part in. Fencing takes place on a specially marked out strip (the piste) and a fight, consists of two fencers trying to score a set number of hits. The idea is to hit the opponent on the target without being hit. The first to score the required number of hits (usually five) is the winner.

There are three different weapons classes in the sport.

Foil: a light, thrusting weapon, originally used for training soldiers to fight in battle. The target is limited to the trunk of the body, including the back but not the arms or head.

Epee: a heavier, thrusting weapon, originally used for duelling. Hits can be scored anywhere on the body.

Sabre: a cutting and thrusting weapon, originally used by cavalry soldiers. The target area is limited to everything above the hips, except for the hands and the back of the head Fencing helps develop attributes including speed, coordination, balance, timing, concentration, team-work and tactical thinking, amongst many others.

With a network of clubs in Scotland it is easy and inexpensive to try fencing and for competitive types, there are both team and individual competitions where skills can be put to the test. Log onto http://scottish-fencing.co.uk for more info about how to get involved.