JUDO: An excellent turn-out of Worcestershire's judo players saw Samurai dominate the county trials again with 20 first places from 28 categories.
With the county pulling together more than ever before, Worcester Judo Club, Arrowvale from Redditch, Gorse Hill, One On One and Bromsgrove took the next five places.
Samurai had a great start in the boys' U-30kg section with Greg Oertel first, Wesley Connor second and Jack Roberts third.
Connor then moved up to 34kg level and was first ahead of runner-up Andrew Edlin but will miss out on the inter-counties.
He is competing at the British Junior Championships on the same day so Edlin will take his place to represent Worcestershire.
Five wins each took Benjy Connor and Robin Woodward through to the final of the U-38kg category which saw the highest entry list.
B Connor took the honours against Woodward and Alex Dowling was third with Edward Connor fifth and Michael Edlin seventh.
The U-42kg competition saw the fifth consecutive Samurai top three with Tom Walker predictably the winner, B Connor second and Woodward third.
They at last missed out on a first place in the weight above when Ben Newbury lost a tremendous battle to rival Ryan Ransden, of Worcester.
Normal service was resumed at U-50kg level as Karl Gaughan, Ryan Pitcock and Newbury claimed the top places respectively.
John Connor registered four maximum point wins to be first in the U-55kg contest with Pitcock fourth and David Hadley fifth.
Another winner was Ben Dowling in the U-60kg and Stewart Wilson managed to finish third.
The heavier Samurai boys were not available so players from Redditch and Worcester took the last two victories.
In the girls' event, Emily Watson was comfortably first home with four wins in the U-28kg section, following by the rapidly improving Poppy James in third.
Amy Oertel won the U-32kg category followed by James, while twins Sally and Rachel Moon finished second and third respectively at U-36kg behind a Worcester opponent.
Other victories went to Sam Jones in the U-44kg group and Caris Butler at U-48kg level before the most predictable success of the day.
Much-fancied Kate Walker was a victor in the U-52kg competition with Hannah Cooper ending up second.
Three more Samurai firsts were clocked up by Emma Butler, Lauren Underhill and Katherine Lloyd Jones, as well as a third place for Amy Millington.
Samurai contested only the top four weight groups in the senior men's event but won them all.
Asa Payne, Kevin McCauley, Matt Godfrey and Paul Jones all earned the right to compete for the county.
Anyone interested in judo can call Tina Gaughan on 01905 452562.
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