SEVEN members of Melbourn Judo Club s depleted squad travelled to Thetford for the British Judo Association s Eastern Area Invitational Tournament, on Sunday. The event was strengthened by the attendance of 18 players representing Belgian Judo clubs. But

SEVEN members of Melbourn Judo Club's depleted squad travelled to Thetford for the British Judo Association's Eastern Area Invitational Tournament, on Sunday.

The event was strengthened by the attendance of 18 players representing Belgian Judo clubs.

But they were not to disappoint, with a magnificent medal haul of one gold, four silver and two bronze medals it was a clean sweep of seven medals from seven entries.

Katharine Hobbiger was taking part in her first competition outside of club and got a silver medal in the under-44 kilo group.

Kellie Lucken also took silver in the under-36 category, winning one of her two fights, while Emma Reid emulated her in the under-40 kilo group.

Kristofer Francombe, in the under-34 kilo group, won two of his three fights to claim a credible silver, while Tom Brooker in the under-46 kilo group struggled to compete against a group of much more experienced players but still managed a bronze.

James Long, in the under-38 kilo category, claimed a worthy bronze medal.

Oliver Wheeler, in the same group, won all three of his bouts to win the group with a range of throwing and holding skills.

He was presented with his gold medal by national champion Colin Oates.

The main event was followed by a team competition where players from all competing clubs were formed into three-boy or four-girl teams.

This was very much a fun competition, but it gave all the players an extra three or four contests. Each of the Melbourn players went on to win medals.

The squad competes again next month in the Ipswich under-20s, and will have to raise their play to a higher level in this highly competitive tournament.

n Melbourn Judo Club held its annual meeting last weekend at the Eternit Sports and Social Club, Meldreth.

More than 65 members and parents were welcomed by chairman Davis Parry to report on the club's successes over the past 12 months, the highlight being the achievement in June of the Sport England Clubmark.

With the move to the Royston Leisure Centre complete, the club's treasurer Ann Coult reported that funding reserves held by the club would now be used to bring nationally-renowned coaches to the club.

Derek Coult said a shortlist of names had been drawn up and invitations would commence in the autumn.

He also reported that since the move to the Leisure Centre, the club's competitive achievement had improved dramatically with more than 60 medals.

Four new committee members were elected, with Chris Brett, Alison Unger, Jon Parry and Trudi Carter joining the five existing members.

At the committee meeting that followed, David Parry was re-elected chairman, Helen Ashworth as secretary, Ann Coult as treasurer and Derek Coult as chief instructor.

Following the meeting, the club announced its annual awards to John Fowler as under-10s Judoka of the year, Kellie Lucken as under-15s Judoka of the Year, and Gerhard Oberholzer as Senior Judoka of the year.

The most improved Judoka was Megan Sorensen and the club person was Lesley Reid. Lesley has recently revalidated her senior club coach award with the British Judo Association, and is one of nine qualified first aiders at the club who recently "topped-up" their skills with a first aid course run at the Leisure Centre.

The club continues throughout the summer at the Leisure Centre and judoka from the vicinity who cannot train because of summer school and club closures are always welcome, at 9am on Saturdays for juniors or 8pm on Tuesdays for seniors.