SAMURAI Judo Club maintained their annual domination of the Worcestershire County Trials by taking 13 of the 21 first places on offer.

The girls did especially well with Jordyn Disspain, Charlotte Connor, Ellen Ingram, Amy Darch, Emma Burgess and Emmy Kimberley first in their categories.

Aimee Hodson did well to reach her final, demolishing the most experienced girl in the county outside Samurai, but was no match for club-mate Kate Walker who has lost just once in her weight group since September.

Annabel Webb narrowly lost out in her final but Samurai have seven of the 10 winners competing in the Midlands Inter-Counties Championships.

The boys also did well in their lightweight section with Wesley Connor, Robin Woodward, Tom Walker and John Connor taking first places.

Matthew Hibberd, Benji Connor, Joel Darch, Ben Newbury and Stewart Wilson finished second.

However, normal service was resumed in the heavier weight groups with first places for Kyle Everton and Richard Jones.

Samurai senior Ian Staffiere has qualified as an area referee after passing his practical exam at a recent Midlands event.

They now have seven senior referees, the largest number at one club in the Midlands and possibly the country.