ELEVEN members of Kidderminster's Samurai Judo Club qualified for the finals of the British Junior National Championships in November after starring at the Midland Area Trials.

They are Poppy James, Rosie Tramontana, Kelly Edwards, Kathryn Lowe, Katherine Lloyd Jones, Kate Walker, Kerrie Pitcock, Wesley Connor, Benji Connor, Tom Walker and Danny Williams.

As well as qualifying for the nationals, those eleven are automatically selected for the Midlands squad, along with clubmates Jon Connor, Ben Newbury, Ben Dowling, Alex Dowling, Becky Holmes and Emma Butler.

Of the 80 clubs in the Midlands, the Samurai finished second in the medals table with a total of 17 players qualifying for the Midlands squad. Wolverhampton were first with 21, and Halesowen were third with 12.

James got the Samurai ball rolling with gold in the girls lightweights at under 32 kilos.The tiny firebrand threw each of her opponents in just seconds and then secured unbreakable groundholds to take first place and the title of Midlands Champion.

Tramontana and Edw-ards both reached the final of the under 40 kilos but Edwards was forced to withdraw and settle for second after hurting her knee, with Tramontana taking the title.

Also in the younger girls section, Lowe took second place and earned her ticket to the nationals, and there was a superb performance from Lloyd Jones, to finish second and also qualify.

In the older girls, K Walker swept into the final in imperious style, although she was disappointed to lose, having taken gold at this event for the last four years but the important thing was to book her place in the national finals. Pitcock finished in the same way.

In the boys lightweights, W Connor qualified after beating the British Cadet Champion to reach the final of his group, although he narrowly lost it.

B Connor, T Walker and Williams then recorded a hat-trick of first places for the Samurai. They are looking for sponsors. To help, or for more details about the club phone 07971 869234.