Ryedale Judo Club are in the medals again after six members travelled to the Goole Under-17 and U12s Christmas Championships and came away with two silver and one bronze.

Hannah Foster-Rains, the only female player from Ryedale to take part, won the silver in the under-52 kilogrammes category, despite not being 100 per cent fit after a foot injury and due to an old elbow problem.

Michael Scott also won silver in the under-50kg event, with William Scott taking bronze despite being the youngest and smallest in the category.

The pair went up against club-mate Sam Thomas-Smith and some top national youth squad members in a hotly contested pool which produced some outstanding judo.

Results generally went with national rankings with the exception of Michael Scott overcoming Harry Platten from Hull to secure silver and William Scott tie with Platten in third place.

It was Thomas-Smith’s second major competition and he was in contention for much of the time.

The tenacious Nicholas Bowes competed in his first major competition in the U12 years age group, in the under-38kg category, but had to withdraw after a second round defeat after dislocating an elbow.

Brandon Cowton, an old hand by comparison, was in the under-60kg category, at the younger end of a group including some serious national players.

He gave a good account of himself and was unlucky not to take a bronze medal in his final fight when he was caught with a superb hip throw in the dying seconds.

Club chairman and senior coach Michael Leng, a fifth Dan, said: “All six fought extremely well in their respective weights against some good, experienced opposition from across the country, including Northern Ireland.

“Junior coach Bryony Elliott had an extremely long day to ensure her charges were in the right place at the right time, with the right paperwork and the right frame of mind. “She then wore herself out running from mat to mat keeping a protective eye on progress.

“Club welfare officer Kat Cowton was a great help as usual, particularly in assisting Bryony when Nicholas sustained his injury.”

 

Bronze for brill Bryony

BRYONY Elliott, Ryedale Judo Club’s junior coach, took a bronze medal at the Cambridge Senior Open – missing out on the chance of gold after succumbing to a questionable decision in her semi-final loss.

The 21-year-old first Dannow has her sights set on getting into the top end of the national rankings to get the opportunity to fight internationally in 2014/15.