View third in Sussex Trials

Despite this the club still managed a respectable third place. Leading the field with magnificent gold medals were Taylor Bell, Michael Stewart and Sasha Nanuck, who put on faultless displays of competitive judo against the best in Sussex.

In support were Simon Fielding, Luke Holland, Sophie Curtis, Matthew Holland and Heather Stewart, who all had a mixture of success and defeat during the day.

Luke Holland produced two excellent maximum score throws while Heather Stewart had to be eventually withdrawn because of injury but fought the latter half of one bout with a fractured radius (forearm).

In the senior field Sarah Leaney narrowly defeated clubmate Sophie Gardener to take gold and silver in their group, but Callum Harmer struggled to find his normal form and had to settle for a silver medal after a closely-fought contest.

Michael Mitchell and Ryan Johnstone were up against a field of top national players and, despite spirited efforts, were eliminated from the medal positions.

Rebecca Fielding was available to compete but there was nobody in her weight group so she reluctantly settled for helping with the coaching.

With so few players entered for the event coaches Dave Fielding and Paul Leaney were delighted to secure third place and look forward to seeing their medallists representing Sussex in the forthcoming Intercounty Team Championships to be held at the new Dartford Olympic facilities.