Pipers Vale Gymnasts Kelly Haselton, Nicky Bruce and Jay Groves all took part in the British Challenge Cup Championships on 24/25 November 2001. Jay competed in the 12 – 13 age group and was up against some tough opposition from all over the country.

Pipers Vale Gymnasts Kelly Haselton, Nicky Bruce and Jay Groves all took part in the British Challenge Cup Championships on 24/25 November 2001.

Jay competed in the 12 – 13 age group and was up against some tough opposition from all over the country.

She started on vault and went straight in to the lead she then went to bars where she went clean Beam has always been her bogey piece but she held it together and was in second place at this stage. She came to floor and had a great chance but she fell on her move which unfortunately put her in to 4th position. However her Vault score of 8.2 was enough to earn her a silver medal on that piece.

Kelly and Nicky were competing in the 14+ age group and what a competition they head This was the first time that either girl had competed at this level of competition and were both very nervous. Both girls started on vault and both landed safely giving them a good start. They went to Bars next and both competed magnificently going clean. The beam was next, which is the hardest piece of equipment to stay on, unfortunately both girls had falls. When they went to floor Kelly needed to go clean as she was in the lead and had a great chance of winning unfortunately she fell on her first move moving her into Bronze position . Nicky finished the competition on a high with a fantastic floor performance moving her into 6th position.

"Kelly's performance was magnificent" said Andy Wood Head Coach "to come third at this level in the first year of doing it was fantastic. We now have gymnasts at different levels that now have National rankings and this puts Kelly third in GB at this level and for nicky to get 6th just rounded the day of nicely"

The girls also competed on individual apparatus with Kelly taking the Silver medal on Bars and Nicky Bruce the Bronze. Nicky's performance on floor was outstanding and good enough to earn her the title of British Champion on floor.

"What a great day not only winning the over all 3rd spot but Nicky getting floor champion is just fantastic" added Wood.

Three gymnasts from Piper Vale Gymnastics Club travelled last weekend to the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall to be part of the Eastern Region Team at the Men's National Development Plan National Finals. The three gymnasts were Josh Travis, Robert Banthorpe and Lloyd Clarke. This is the first time that any gymnast from Ipswich (possibly Suffolk) have taken part in a National Gymnastic competition.

The East region alongwith other areas including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, London, Yorkshire etc sent teams to compete in the three day competition at the various different age levels. Each gymnast had to compete a set routine on 7 disciplines ie Floor, Pommel, Rings, Vault, Parrallel Bars, High Bar and PPP (testing flexibility & strength).

Josh Travis took part in the Primary 2 level for under 11's and came away with a team bronze medal. Josh also finished in a credible 39th position out of 50 with a score of 52.90. Robert Banthorpe was part of the Primary 3 team for Under 10's and although not winning a team medal came an excellent

25th out of 52 taking part scoring 58.30. Robert also achieved the second highest score in the Eastern Region team. Lloyd Clarke took part in the Primary 4 team for Under 9's and like Josh, helped the East team to a fantastic bronze medal position. Lloyd finished in a brilliant 12th place out of 60 competitors having scored an excellent score of 61.25. Lloyd now has a chance of being selected to go for trials for the National Squad.

"It was a brilliant weekend for the boys side of Pipers Vale and gives the

club a platform to build on which will hopefully lead to even greater success in the future." Said Andrew Crawford Head Boy's Coach