Thunderley is well on the way to recognition as the trampolining capital of Essex after two of its schools won places in the national championships.

The zonal finals, which took place at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, saw the Thundersley representatives facing a tough line-up of competitors from Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia.

But they came up trumps as The Deanes School, which has a proven record of trampolining excellence, managed to get teams through in all three age groups, while The King John School were successful in the under-15 category.

Deanes' leading performers were Paul Samuels, Sam La Roche, Matthew Coles and Greg Hardes, who came first in the under-13s section.

Mark Samuels, David Burroughs, Sam Read and Sam Pears followed that up with third place in the under-15s, with Danny Lawrence, Jon Cook, Neil Sanderson, and Scott Worland landing second place in the under-19s.

All the teams now go on to the national finals in South Shields on March 25, and proud PE teacher Chris Bennett said: "This is an outstanding achievement for all three teams from one school to qualify. We shall look forward to some hard work to prepare for the Nationals in March."

Deanes has already won two national championships in the past couple of years and also currently holds the Eastern Region Gym Championships title.

Not to be outdone, The King John School was celebrating its own victory after Amanda Parker, Kathryn Parker and Liane Judge scored a magnificent first place in the Under-15 Girls event.

It was a double celebration for Liane, who now goes on to compete in the championships in the individual event, alongside older sister Melanie, who won through with a top performance in the under-19s category.

(Right) Brothers in arms - siblings Mark and Paul Samuels, of The Deanes School, had tremendous success at the schools trampolining championships at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre. Paul helped the under-13s to first place, while Mark was part of the under-15 squad placed third.

(Left) Spring in her step - Melanie Judge, who joins younger sister Liane in qualifying for the individal event at the national championships

Triple jumpers - trampolining trio Amanda Parker, Kathryn Parker and Liane Judge (above), of King John School, qualified for the national schools championships after winning the under-15 girls category. Liane also qualified for the individual competition for the event at South Shields on March 25

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY

Jane proves a golden shot

Two Billericay schoolgirls have won a host of medals at the British Schools Indoor Archery Championships in Kent.

Jane Richmond, 12, of Billericay School, won the gold medal in the category for under-14 girls at her first attempt.

Her success was matched by 15-year-old Hazel Edwards, of Mayflower County High School, who returned a personal best score to scoop the British Schools title for girls shooting a compound bow.

Both girls are members of Mayflower Junior Archers, celebrated further success when Robert Bally scooped the club's first-ever gold medal at the National Indoor Championships in Coventry. Robert only took up the sport nine months ago.

Success is in the basket

Greensward College, Hockley, and King Edmund School, Rochford, stage a huge basketball spectacular this weekend when the under-15 girls' English Schools national finals are held at the respective venues.

The event follows on from last season's highly-successful staging of the under-14 girls' national finals at Greensward, where the Hockley line-up finished runners-up.

Last year's tournament attracted more than 500 spectators and it seems certain that this weekend's play between the eight best teams in the country will prove a massive attraction to fans of the sport.

Action gets under way at 10am on Saturday when Greensward go into action against the Maynard School from Exeter, Devon.

Greensward will also be the setting for the final, which is scheduled for a 12.15pm start on Sunday.

Other schools definitely in action are Great Baddow, Chelmsford; Francis Bacon, Hertfordshire; High Storrs, Sheffield; Siddal Moor, Lancs and Moulton, from the Midlands. Two schools were this week still fighting for the right to fill the eighth spot.

Greensward currently hold the under-15 national crown and, with a star-studded team, could be a good bet for success this weekend.

Said Greensward's Tony Mescall: "The opposition will be very strong with some outstanding visiting teams, but our own line-up has a lot of talent and will certainly give a good account of itself."

Greensward's under-13 girls grabbed their own piece of silverware when they won the under-13 Essex crown with a 66-61 final win over St Martin's, from Brentwood.

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