THREE of the four members of Samurai Judo Club’s Gremlin Squad were in action at the Midlands Age Bands, and all three were in the medals.

Leah Grosvenor led the charge with an absolutely stunning performance in the under-52 kilogram category.

The current British Champion had five contests and not won them all by maximum point throws.

The best players in the country at her age and weight were all present but are not in her league.

Nathan Gallacher and Matt Hemer are now in the same age and weight category.

Gallacher started on stunning form with three excellent maximum point wins to reach the semi-final, which Hemer also reached. Unfortunately, they were up against each other.

Hemer took an early lead with a high score, but his Samurai rival kept calm and countered another attack for maximum points.

He lost the final by a single low score and had to settle for silver, while Hemer came back well to win the bronze.

Younger juniors Jake Ashen and Callum Spencer were also both in the medals, each winning a bronze with a series of good wins. Samurai fighters also bagged five fourth places.

The club’s Italian player, Andrea Fani, had the longest contest of the day, nearly 12 minutes before he lost on a narrow score.

He won his next two contests to reach the bronze play-off, and although taking an early lead was then caught for a maximum point throw and had to settle for silver.

British silver medalist Ellie Mcateer started well but then lost in the quarter-finals. She won two more contests to get to the bronze play-off but finished in fifth spot. Olivia Turner and Bryony Griffiths also finished fifth, and there were some good performances from Sophie Deeming-Lane, Lauren Fletcher, Hetty Tinsdale and Evan Turner.