A QUARTET from Samurai secured first place at the Midlands trials as all eight members involved qualified for the British Junior Championships.

Fighters needed to secure top four spots in their weight categories in order to ensure they would make it to the championships in October.

Frankie Marston got the club off to a strong start in the under-44 kilogram category.

She got the better of opponents from Birmingham, Leicestershire and Shropshire to reach the final, where after a tough bout she secured gold.

Charis Hancocks impressively cruised to gold in under-52ks section.

Meanwhile, Sally Moon and Rachel Moon were unable to be at the event because of the date clash with the British Kata Championships, but were selected as part of the Midlands squad on previous performances.

In the under-70kg section, Sarah Biles and Millie Hancocks swept aside all before them to ensure an all Samurai final.

In a tight contest that went into extra-time, Biles edged her clubmate to ensure gold, while Hancocks had to settle for silver.

In the boys' section, Sam Woodward produced his best ever performance.

His eight contests included four spectacular maximum point throws and he pulled out some wins that on paper should have been well beyond his level.

Two defeats in the final round of contests ended his chances of first place, but he qualified for the nationals in fourth place.

Tom Walker was the last Samurai fighter to compete in the under-81kgs category.

Despite being in a group packed with black belts, he won with maximum points on his way to gold.

Anyone wanting deatails about Samurai can call 07761 122977 or got o www.samurai.org.uk Medals summary - Midlands trials: Gold: Frankie Marston, Charis Hancocks, Sarah Biles, Tom Walker. Silver: Millie Hancocks. Bronze: Sam Woodward