SEVEN Launceston Judo Club players — four juniors and three seniors — attended the prestigious Plymouth Open Championships on Sunday and gave a good account of themselves.

The club had three of its junior players — Nathan Gathercole (Launceston), Luke Prynne (St Giles on the Heath) and Aled Mason (Tavistock), on his first outing for the club — in the largest weight group of the day, the under 34 kilo category.

Although not reaching the medals, all three performed creditably and gained experience, with fifth places for Nathan and Aled and a seventh for Luke. Unfortunately, Luke and Nathan had to meet on the way through the group, the encounter going to Nathan in an in-club needle match.

Gareth Mason, Aled's brother, also on first time out for the club, was in the under 30 kilo category, again with his success on this occasion being measured in experience rather than medals.

In the senior section, Dave Buckingham (Launceston) and Adam Curzon (Tavistock) both fought their way to bronze medals in the men's under 81 kilo category.

Vanessa Way (Tavistock) in the combined ladies' group found herself against stiff opposition on her first club outing and had to be content with the experience gained and a fifth place after a good performance.

The day left the club reflecting that it will have to feed its players at different rates to get them into different weight groups!

Launceston Judo Club meets every Monday at Launceston College from 7pm — new members (both male and female, ages from seven up) always welcome.