Many thanks for the enthusiasm of those involved in coaching our 2025 national teams players, Caroline Brayson and Liam Doody
Caroline's report of the day follows...
Senior Teams
The senior team had a tough round against eventual bronze medallists, the South. They lost 2-3 but put up spirited performances with wins from Spencer Lambert (Huddersfield) and Jack Hodgeson (Grimsby).
A decisive win over Wales 4-1 put them into the final round of the pool against the North West, the winners of the round would go through. It came down to the final contest, and unfortunately didn’t go the way of Y&H this year.
Cadet / Junior Team
First onto the mat of the day was the Cadet/Junior Team v Midlands.
The lightweights got the team off to a good start, with a 2-1 lead by the 4th of 7 contests. Hayes Campbell (Grimsby) in golden score dug deep for a 3rd win to put Y&H into a good position, however the Midlands levelled it and the round went down to the final contest.
A beautiful uchi mata by Scott Render of Hull Judo Club gave Y&H the round.
Next were the North West. The lightweights again making it a 3-0 lead with Ollie Bigger defeating the current British Champion in golden score. The tables again turned until Ivor Fergusson, fighting up the weight, threw in the first minute. Two rounds, two wins to Y&H.
The next round against reigning champions London didn’t go our way. A sole win for Reece Blackshaw (Penistone) and a loss 6-1. Reece won all his fights through the day, an excellent performance.
The final round of the pool was tense. Wales had also won 2 rounds and the winner should go through. Y&H went 2-0 up, then 2-2, then 2-4 down before Scott Render produced a lovely juji gatame for a 3-4 finish.
Due to the teams rules, and both Wales and Y&H having won 2 rounds and lost 2 rounds it went to contest wins. Y&H had 15 where has Wales had 11 putting the Cadet/Junior team through the semi-final and the medals.
Being the first year many of the cadet/junior players can remember putting a team in, they were understandably nervous to face Scotland in the semi-final. It was a good start, going 2-0 up, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be and the team lost 5-2.
An excellent effort and national bronze medal. Congratulations to Scott Render who gained his final points for his 1st dan.
Pre-Cadet/Minor Team
The pre-cadet/minor team, assisted by players from the Northern Area were in blistering form.
The first round against the West went 6-1 followed by a 3-4 loss to the South, and then 5-2 win over the Midlands.
Going into the last round of the pool against familiar opponents the North West the players were in great form, winning the first 4 contests to send Y&H through top of the pool.
They advanced to the semi-final against London. The semi-final was tense, Y&H went down the first contest on a yuko, evened it out with a yuko in the 2nd, then went 2-1 in the third.
London clawed back to 2-2 in the 4th contest, with Y&H winning the 5th making it 3-2. The 6th went to London and it went down to the final contest. Unfortunately it wasn’t Y&H’s day, ending 3-4 and a national bronze medal.