THE Midlands Age Banded Open saw Samurai Judo Club's Tom Walker produce one of the best displays of his career to take the gold medal.

Three comfortable wins by maximum points helped Walker into the final of his 16-strong under 81 kgs category.

In the final, he was up against a tough player who represented Great Britain in the European Youth Olympics last summer.

However, Walker looked solid and was never under any serious threat of losing a score.

Then his opponent went in for a throw and the Kidderminster club's player produced a superb opportunistic counter for a low score which was enough to win gold.

The 15 and 16-year-olds contested a vital event in the race for places at the European Cadet Championships.

Sarah Biles was a major contender but for once struggled for form and lost her first contest to the eventual silver medalist.

However, Biles came back strongly to win her next three contests to take bronze.

Millie Hancocks, in the same category, was unlucky to lose for the other bronze after several excellent wins.

In the younger juniors, Jack Nelson was on good form, winning four contests by maximum point throws to finish in fifth place.

Nelson was winning the bronze play-off when he was caught by a good throw which cost him a medal.

Charis Hancocks also started well and held her own against the eventual gold medalist when a dubious score was given against her. She ended up fifth.

Katherine Lloyd Jones also took a gold medal and passed her senior refereeing exam with flying colours.

Meanwhile, Kate Walker finished ninth out of 50 at the Belgian Open against strong players from Japan, Cuba, the USA and Russia.