THE Marcel Minnen International Sabre Tournament, in Heverlee, Belgium meant another long drive for Taunton Blades' euro-trotting Nat Lewis last weekend.

It ended in yet another last four finish among a Senior international entry - no Australians or Americans this time, but Argentinian fighters claimed the distance' record.

Chunnel lag', and an early check-in time, probably contributed to a slow start for the Richard Huish student.

He made hard work of both qualifying rounds, losing narrowly to Krajd of France, Roger Antonis (Belgium), and Holland's Nico Speelman, and also suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Renaud Poizat, the fourth seed.

His eventual seeding of 13th meant qualifying by direct elimination for the last 32 - which was achieved in much better style, and he later went on to yet another meeting with Poizat for the quarter-finals.

The Belgian began aggressively, looking to repeat the earlier result, but was simply blown away 15-5 by the rejuvenated Taunton youngster, as was de Smit (Germany) in similar manner, at 15-6, to gain a place in the semi-finals.

Here he met Cleays of Germany, whose superior reach, size, and experience - together with lack of luck in a few close decisions - gave Nat too much to find, and he went out 15-12, having made his opponent work hard for the win.

He also made a good recovery from an unpromising start, always a useful ability to have in the armoury.