Beresford became Fisher's principal sparring partner during the struggle over naval reform. Calling him Fisher's foil captures the persistent rivalry, but it implies too complete an opposition. The two sometimes agreed and occasionally cooperated. Their dispute did not make them opposites on every issue.
Notable Point · 2:16:20-2:17:04
Was Beresford really Fisher's foil?
Beresford was Fisher's principal sparring partner rather than his perfect opposite.