Gymnastics: Hawth tumbler Emily shines at nationals

HAWTH Gymnastics tumbler Emily Clayden finished in an excellent ninth place out of 16 in the 13-14 years age group in her first appearance at the British Tumbling Championships in Stoke-on-Trent.

She is the first girl from the Crawley-based club to reach this level of competition, which requires advanced tumbling skills.

Head coach Sally Anne Warner said: "I am so proud of Emily. She has worked really hard to achieve this level of skill and to be ninth in Great Britain is excellent for her."

There was more success for the Hawth in the British Teamgym qualifiers at Bracknell Leisure Centre, where the club's junior team gained a qualifying score of 20.8 points, up against eight other teams.

The seniors mix team were not so lucky and did not qualify for the finals but put on a good display, especially on the floor.

Warner said: "It was a great competition and we are really proud of all the gymnasts who competed.

"Standards were high this year and we look forward to the British Championship finals in May."

Elsewhere at the men's artistic regional set-work qualifier at K2, all the Hawth's boys reached the finals in Newcastle in May where they will represent the south east.

The Hawth entered 12 gymnasts across six levels. Patrick Smith (58.95) came third in the Level One group. Marcus Jones scored well on vault (9.35) and came fourth. Jordan Colyer also managed to get in the top six.

In Level Two, Michael Herridge came second (64.20). Gis Fidler was fourth (62.35) and Jordan Pirrie fifth (56.55). Daniel Lee won Level Three (63.40), Ben Vye-Parminter was third (61.0) and Lewis McKelvie fourth (60.0).

Max Hayes won Level Four (60.90), Grant Goode was victorious in Level Five (51.05) with a particularly good rings routine (9.0) and Harry Bushby was the only entry in Level Six so won by default and will go to Newcastle as an individual.