The past few weeks have seen Cloud Nine Trampoline Club in action at national competitions in Harlow and Manchester.

The grade 2 competitors, whose season is only halfway through, had a nearby venue at Harlow whilst the grade 1 performers, nearing the end of their competitive season, had to travel to Manchester.

Grade 2 competitors have two objectives, one is to qualify for the Grade 2 national championships which take place in November each year while the other is to qualify to compete at Grade 1.

All three of the Cloud Nine performers in Harlow succeeded on both counts.

The individual results were: Francesca Carter, in fifth place in the under-11 girls scoring 50.7 after the voluntary round against qualifying scores of 49 for nationals and 50 for Grade 1, Kerry Elsdon winning Silver in the under-13 and a qualifying score of 54.2 (against targets of 50.5 and 51) and Lianne Powell in 12th place in the same group with a score of 51.2.

The grade 1 competitors in Manchester however, had only one target - to reach, and then prepare for, the national championships in July.

This shorter competitive season is intended to allow more preparation time for new skills and routines to be developed.

Again the rigorous training the performers underwent paid off with all four reaching qualifying scores and picking up two medals along the way.

The individual scores were Suzanne Perkins taking Silver in the under-18 ahead of Sarah Ainsworth in sixth with qualifying scores of 58.7 and 54.7 respectively (against the target of 53.5), Hannah Davies in the under-15 girls in tenth place with 54.3 (53) and James Davies in the under-11 boys also winning Silver with a qualifying score of 51.3 (51).

One of the Cloud Nine coaches, Dianne Ainsworth, commented after the grade 1: ''With the exception of Lianne, who did incredibly well for her first grade 2 competition, all performers finishing in the top ten of their age groups was an outstanding achievement"

Cloud Nine bounces regularly at Courage Hall, behind Brentwood School, and runs courses at all levels for all ages from five to regular adult sessions - private parties can also be arranged. Anybody who may be interested in trying the sport out, telephone the Courage Hall on 01277 227522 for details.

Trophy winners: The successful Cloud Nine squad are pictured with their trophies: Sarah Ainsworth, Suzanne Perkins, Kerry Elsdon, Joanne Woodger, Francesca Carter, James Davies and Lianne Powell.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.