EXCITING prospect Sarah Biles was one of three Samurai Judo Club girls to win gold at the Forest Of Dean Open and was also awarded the coveted trophy for player of the day.

Biles tore into the opposition with her usual energy and enthusiasm and despite having been doing judo for only a year or so she was clearly the best player in the category.

Maximum point throws in all of her contests gave her not only the gold but also left the judges in no doubt that she should be the player of the day.

A determined performance from Beth Coleman earned her a bronze in the same category.

The Samurai dominated the heavier girls weights, with Hannah Cooper taking gold in the next weight up from Sarah, and Amy Millington also sweeping to gold in the top weight.

As British Kata Champions, the two girls were also asked to provide a kata display which earned tremendous applause.

Simon Cooper looked a good possibility to make it four golds but his opponent in the final was just too experienced and he had to settle for silver.

Sally Moon came up against her twin sister Rachel in the semi-final and won comfortably. But she made a mistake in the final after taking an early lead and had to settle for silver, while Rachel finished with bronze.

Oliver Perry and Sophie Thomas added two more bronzes for an inexperienced but game Samurai squad.

On the day before that the club had hosted a massive boys lower grades competition at their Lisle Avenue headquarters.

More than 100 players entered from over 20 clubs from a radius of around 100 miles.

Michael Circus and Edward Connor were the top Samurai players, both winning silver medals after four good wins and losing the finals to very good players. S Cooper, having a busy weekend, took a bronze and Toby James not only won a bronze in his own grade group but entered the higher grade group as well to take a second bronze.

For details about starting judo or information about the Samurai club and its activities, phone 07971 869234 or visit the Samurai website on www.samurai.org.uk.

The club is also looking for sponsors of squads or competitions, please contact Debbie.

RESULTS

Forest Of Dean: Gold - Biles 48 kg, H Cooper 63, Millington +63, Silver - S Cooper -50, S Moon -40, Coleman -48, Bronze - R Moon -40, Perry -30,Thomas -44.

Trophy for Best Throw Of The Day: Sarah Biles.

Samurai Boys Minimon: Silver - Michael Circus -38 kg yellow belts, Edward Connor -38 orange belts, bronze - Simon Cooper -50, bronze: Toby James (twice) -34 yellow and -34 orange.