AFTER a huge surge of interest in the sport among the junior age-bands this year, Kendal Judo Club recognised the achievements of two talented young players at their annual Club Championships before Christmas.

Leigh Dickinson was awarded the Alec King Trophy for the most improved boy of the year and the Bert Taylor Memorial Trophy for the most improved girl was presented to Robyn Bindloss - both of them aged only nine.

An action-packed day of judo began with the under-8s in the lightweight Kai Tiger category demonstrating their co-ordination in basic judo techniques, with Holly Nelson finishing first followed by James Toal, Jack Kilbeck and Cameron Tolin.

Heavier Kai Tigers did equally impressively and Thomas Berry took first place followed by Sam Stacey, Kyle Reece, Alex Stewart and Thomas Winter.

Developing skills and determination were displayed by the eight-year-olds with Graham Baker top of this category followed by Steve Carradus and Sean Lewis, with others competing well including Daniel Moon, Glen Archer, Matthew Shaw, Joe Robinson, Mark Carruthers and Fraser Morgan.

Flashes of true expertise emerged in the under-9s lightweight category with Cameron Stewart taking the honours and Nathan Hogg runner-up followed by Matthew Rawlinson, Robyn Bindloss, Alistair Donaldson and Michael Carr.

Then in a closely-matched 9-year heavyweight category, Thomas Watson revealed lots of potential for first place ahead of Matthew Baker, Stewart Morgan, Ross Kilshaw and Dominic Nicholson.

The tightly-fought primary school improvers was won by Liam Wilson from Dominic Ray and Callum Morgan.

In the secondary school improvers, Jeffery Bond took a well-deserved first after recently returning to judo after a stay in hospital with Kim Spence, Keiran Benson and Maria Dobson ion the placings.

Fine throwing and groundwork was on show in the middleweight junior category with Thomas Paisley taking first place ahead of Laura Hogg and James Wright.

Unfortunately Ben Craghill had to retire injured.

One of the club's most competitive categories, the heavyweight juniors, produced explosive action with Danny Harper winning from Gavin Lewis, Chris Miller and Lee Thornbrough.

In a nail-biting final in the senior men's category, Philip Rogan pulled out all the stops for victory from Mark Wilson, Anthony Parkinson and Steve Rogan.