Four Counties Championships

A total of ten junior players from Burnley Judo Club took part in this years popular 'Four Counties Championships', at Sutton, St. Helens, recently.

Rebecca Taylor continues to prove she is a player for the big occasion by taking a well deserved Silver medal. The youngester fought very well on the day against good opposition to underline her potential as a future start of the sport. Brother Luke Taylor was another one who excelled on the day, but was unfortunate to go out in the knockout stages. Ever improving Connah Stockdale came within a whisper of reaching the finals, only to lose out by the narrowest of margins. However, the Burnley player can be pleased with his performance. Catherine Henry started off very well in her group against more experienced opposition, and is another who can count herself unlucky not to have reached the finals. Tenacious Michael Henry approached the competition with his usual coolness. The skilful Burnley fighter had a long hard day of contests in a very tough group, yet overcame some fierce opponents to win a brilliant Silver medal in the final. James Tillotson continues to excel in this type of event. The gritty Burnley player exudes more confidence with each event, despite just missing out on a place in the finals. Stacey Cummings, despite picking up a rib injury in her first fight, did very well to merit the Silver medal position. Keith Bryers, producing his best form to date, was another player on his way to the finals before having to retire from the competition. Chris Cummings, in against very good opposition, did well to take the Bronze medal position. Finally, John Entwistle was another who fought long and hard on the day. The very promising Burnley player found himself in the toughest group of all, and despite producing some find judo can count himself very unlucky to miss out on the finals.

Overall it was a good performance from the Burnley club that produced four medals from the ten players who took part, and bodes well for the future.

C. Cummings. October 2003