JUDO: Another superb display from Great Britain junior Kate Walker earned her a silver medal at the Kent International Open Championships.

Walker picked up one of six medals for Samurai Judo Club at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London.

A series of maximum-point throws saw her into the semi-finals where she faced a top Dutch player and won decisively with a backwards leg hook.

However, Walker was edged out of the final in the golden score after keeping the scores level against an older and heavier British girl.

Other top Samurai stars John Connor and Amy Darch were closest to joining Walker on the medal rostrum.

Darch beat a top European player in stylishly making the semis but then just missed out on a bronze medal.

A similar fate fell upon Connor who fought back to reach the bronze play-off only to lose to a refereeing error which was later admitted.

In the limited grade section, the newer players got quite a baptism of fire but responded well with four medals.

Amy Oertel won three contests impressively to reach the final of her weight group before the only defeat of the day left her with silver.

In-form Wesley Connor came back well with three wins to take bronze in the lightweight boys after an extra-time elimination in the quarter-finals.

Boys' heavyweight Andrew Broad was delighted to win silver in his first major event, while Lauren Underhill added bronze in the girls' section.

Emily Jones and Emma Butler were both unlucky to finish fifth, outside the medals.

In the intermediate grades, Joanne Butcher clocked up another medal for the Samurai with a bronze.

And there was a fine display from Ben Newbury, with several superb throws which only got him as far as seventh in a tough competition.

For details about starting judo, call Pam Whiteside on 01299 822347.