CLACTON and Walton Judo Clubs were in action at the Eastern Region low grade competition.

The development event was designed to give players an opportunity to compete against similarly experienced Judoka and members of both clubs did brilliantly.

Experienced players Logan Sprott and Daragh Bucke had an excellent day on the mat, showing superior control and techniques in their respective groups.

Sprott displayed fantastic Ashi Waza (throwing with foot techniques) for maximum scores to earn top spot in his group, while Bucke performed an excellently-timed Tia Otoshi (body drop) throw on his way to the silver in his group.

Oliver Blanes and Clary Frere will be pleased with their silver medals, although both were within a whisker of the gold, with referee’s opinions making the difference.

With good wins under their belts, it was the contest for first place where they can feel aggrieved.

Clary had thrown in her contest, but without a score being awarded and losing by a small penalty.

Oliver was thrown in extra time with an illegal move that should have given his opponent a penalty rather than the win.

The talented pair will surely go on to avenge their injustices in future competitions.

Finley Woods had a tough group but still got stuck in and fought determinedly, taking the green belt gold medallist to extra time in his weight group, eventually taking the bronze.

Jamie Brooks and Oliver Ward fought hard in their group, with Ward taking the silver and pushing Brooks into a bronze medal place.

Finlay Blanes did a good Osoto Otoshi (major outer drop) in the dying seconds of a contest to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat and take the bronze.

Lincoln Booth, Emily Betts, Josie Frere, Elsa Green and Jamie King competed in groups that included area and national medallists with great enthusiasm, gaining valuable contest experience, all proudly taking bronze medals in their respective categories.

Four Walton Judo Club members will be representing Tendring Technology College at the British Schools Judo Championships.

Alana Taylor Weeden, Evelyn Silvester, Kacper Lesniewski and Henry Spooner all took part in the regional qualifiers and will now be participating in next month's national finals in Sheffield.