Karate

SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR SAMURAI KARATE:

The end of 2011 was a busy time for Penzance-based Samurai Karate Cornwall.

In October, the club produced its first black-belt when, after six years of hard-work, adult student Andrew Chellew undertook a gruelling weekend of training and independent testing in Wales with the association's Chief Instructor, and was awarded his 1st Dan black belt.

In December, the group ran a Christmas party and award ceremony for its students. Awards were given for a range of positive character traits that the group tries to encourage through its Karate classes, and saw some very proud students collect awards for their dedication over the previous 12 months. Students were asked for a voluntary donation in return for attending the Christmas party, which raised a total of £120 for the group's chosen charity, Children's Hospice Southwest.

"I am very proud of every one of my students" said club instructor Kevin Cooke. "In just over six years, together we've built a very strong club which has a very friendly atmosphere and superb spirit."

2012 promises to be just as busy a year for the group, with several of its students having been selected to join the national UK team, to represent the UK in the Hayashi-Ha European Karate Championships in Barcelona. Samurai Karate Cornwall will also be hosting the Cornwall Invitational Karate Championships at St Johns Hall in Penzance, on Sunday March 4.

Any adults or children who would like more information about learning Karate, or any businesses interested in sponsoring the Cornwall Invitational Karate Championships, should contact club instructor Kevin Cooke on 07706 797562.

Awards:

Adult student of the year: 1, Andrew Johnson, 2, Chris Savery, 3, Sara Summers and Nathaniel Wilson.

Cadet student of the year: 1, Caitlin Barton-Sargeant, 2, Lucy Connick, 3, Kegan Johnson and Daniel Britton.

Most improved student: 1, Kegan Johnson, 2, Georia Squire, 3, Isobel Courtney.

Best behaviour or most improved behaviour: 1, Molly Gordon, 2, Elle Moyle, 3, Jess Whittaker.

Most improved confidence: 1, Liam Sowden, 2, Jolyon Davies, 3, Joe Sharp.

Best concentration or most improved concentration: 1, Megan Berriman, 2, Joseph Hunter, 3, Poppy Felton.

Best spirit, or most improved spirit: 1, James Hamilton, 2, Benjy Cahalane, 3, Lewis Crofts.

Swimming

INTER CLUB SHIELD GLORY FOR ST IVES BAY TEAM:

A fabulous team performance secured victory for St Ives Bay Swim Club in the Cornwall Junior Inter Club Shield, held at Bodmin Dragon Leisure Centre.

Contested by teams aged under 13, this annual duel in the pool pitches the cream of the county's swimming clubs together in a battle for the title of Division One champions.

Travelling supporters were treated to some fabulous racing during the evening with the action spread out over a total of 48 races. Events comprised a mixture of individual and sprint relays, clubs accumulating points dependent upon finishing places – six points for first, all the way down to one point for sixth and last place.

Competing Clubs were allocated the same lane draw for the whole competition and as points totted up early on it became evident the contest would be settled by a three way tussle featuring St Ives Bay in lane one, Penzance in lane four and Truro City in lane five. By the end of the first quarter, it was Truro who occupied top spot but the St Ives team's speed and skills across the four strokes enabled them to gain the lead by the mid way mark, followed closely by Penzance in second place.

Roared on by a proud bunch of mums and dads, St Ives Bay looked in no mood to relinquish their grip on the lead, once gained, and succeeded in cementing their position by adding significantly to their points tally in the second half of the programme. When the final standings were announced they found themselves 19 points clear of their nearest challengers, Penzance, before lifting the Shield and showing it off on a victory lap of honour around the pool.

Congratulations go to all squad members who participated, particularly those younger swimmers taking to the starting blocks, at this level of competition, for the first time.

St Ives Bay has aspirations to build on its success and seeks sponsorship to help it grow further. Should you be willing to lend support and help the club spread its wings, please contact Shirley Hatton on 07974250727 to discuss terms available.

Division 1 Junior Inter Club Shield 2012 results: 1, St Ives Bay 230; 2, Penzance 211; 3, Truro City 201; 4, Newquay 148; 5, St Austell 109; 6, Launceston 89.

St Ives Bay team: Aeden McNamara, Alice Wakefield, Alyssa Andrews, Amber Sanders, Archie Coulthard, Charlie Coulthard, Dan Stocker, Elis Richards, Ellie Pollock, Harriet Sparling, Isabelle Hatton, Jake Smitherham, Keia Wardman, Kezia Elliot, Lily Parsons, Mia Ellesmore, Milly Millard, Molly Peters, Noah Goros, Reef Slack, Zac Broomfield, Zara Elliot, Zoe Body.

Badminton

CORNWALL UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS:

The Cornwall U21 Championships attracted a record entry of more than 40 competitors at the Tregorrick Park, St Austell.

In the men's singles, Liam Sillifant from Launceston, although only U15, reached the quarter finals.

With the exception of an under-the-weather Sam Spencer (First Edition), the four seeds took their places in the semi finals.

A great tussle between Josh Pearce (St Austell) and Kris Japer, an U17 from Launceston, provided the first shock, with Kris winning through against the No 2 seed in straight sets.

The other semi was the clash of the big hitters with Cornwall first teamer, Ross Lashbrook, from Launceston and Chris Glasson (Tecans), providing an excellent match.

Ross ran out the winner, and the defending champion showed no mercy in the final against club-mate, Kris, dominating in a 21/14, 21-13 win.

The Ladies' singles proved the strength of Cornish youth badminton, with five of the eight quarter finalists U17 or younger.

Amy Polglase (First Edition), an U13, gave an excellent performance, gaining her last eight place by beating the seeded Lorna Garbett. Amy then lost out in the quarter finals to U17 Hester Luke (Mount's Bay) in a contest that went to the wire.

Kellen Moore (First Edition) proved to her doubles partner, Amy that she can beat the seeds, taking her place in the semi-finals with a 21/15, 21/13 win over Daphne Luke (Mount's Bay).

The semi-finals were just out of range for Hester and Kellen with top seeds, Jo Philp (Camelford) and Bron Wotton (First Edition) winning through in straight sets. The final saw Jo successfully defend her title with a 21/14, 21/15 success over Bron.

Spectacle

The men's doubles saw the favourites, Josh Pearce and Chris Glasson and number two seeds Ross Lashbrook and Sam Spencer take their place in the final while Cornish U17 players Jake Brazewell and Ben Johnson reached the semi-finals.

The final proved a superb spectacle, Ross and Sam running out winners, 21/17, 21/10.

There were some upsets in the Ladies' doubles with number two seeds Bron Wotton and Daphne Luke going out in a nail-biting three end encounter to U17 Rachel Collard and Hannah Robertson. This set up a semi-final against Kellen Moore and Amy Polglase who after some long rallies took their place in the final.

In the other half of the draw, top seeds Jo Philp and Abi Logg (Launceston) earned their place in the final after an equally long tussle against Lorna Garbett and Claire Whitmore.

The final proved no less dramatic with Moore and Polglase playing well, but going down 23/21, 21/19.

No less than 16 pairs started out for the mixed doubles, and the large crowd were treated to some outstanding contests.

The four seeds took their places for the semi-finals. Jo Philp and Chris Glasson held on to secure their slot in the final, narrowly defeating Josh Pearce and Lorna Garbett, 25/23.

Bron Wotton and Ross Lashbrook did not have it all their way and found Beth Rich (Mount's Bay) and Chris Grout (Launceston) extremely tricky.

The mixed doubles final, between Philp/Glasson and Wotton/Lashbrook, will be contested on Friday, February 17, at Polkyth Leisure Centre, St Austell (7pm).

Thanks to Dave Spencer and Emily James for their tireless work in running the event and to Paul and the management and staff of Tregorrick Park.

Youth football

DUCHY SQUAD SELECTED:

The 16-strong squad for the next game in the South and West Counties Championship Under-18 Boys' section has been chosen.

Manager Tommy Matthews has gone for experience with just one new selection – Josh Burton. The Penryn player has been chosen after a series of good performances for his club.

The full line-up to play Somerset on Saturday February 11 at the Hand Stadium, Clevedon ( 2pm) is:

Sam Trudgian, Jacob Street, Sam Hill, Chris Sturgess, Jack Bray-Evans, Jack Thompson, Lewis Hilton (all Newquay) Harry Corin (Penzance), Joel McWilliams (St Ives Town), Ben Rosevear (Sticker), Jack Lawrence (Wadebridge Town), Freddie Conway (Helston Athletic), Jack Bowyer (Truro City), Callum George (St Just), Craig Clinton (Illogan RBL), Josh Burton (Penryn Athletic).

Rugby

HALF TERM COACHING:

The Cornwall RFU are holding an open session for rugby players during the February half term holiday.

Players of all abilities who wish to develop their game, are invited to attend the sessions which will be held at Truro College.

Each age group will concentrate on the basic skills of the game, which will include handling, decision making, contact skills and game awareness.

All sessions will finish with conditioned games. Those attending will need full kit, boots and trainers (most of the work will be on the all weather pitch), food for the day, and plenty of fluids. Each day will commence at 10am, with registration and will finish at 4pm: Tuesday, February 14, U12s (year 7 pupils); Wednesday, February 15, U13s (year 8 pupils); Thursday, February 16, U14s (year 9 pupils); Friday, February 17, U15s (year 10 pupils).

Application forms can be downloaded from the CRFU website under Player Development. Cost for the day is £12, cheques/PO payable to the CRFU.

Closing date for applications is February 3, with all forms returned to: Dave Thomas, 16 Treverbyn Rise, Penryn, TR10 8RA.

Youth cricket

CHILDREN'S COURSES:

Details of the next series of cricket courses for children at the Cornwall Cricket Centre have now been published.

Fun Cricket Skills and Games, a selection of skills, fun drills and small-sided games, is aimed at all children who want to have fun playing cricket (approximate ages: 7-11), especially beginners. Two separate weeks of this course will be taking place, one in the February half-term and the other at Easter. There is also a Ball Skills course for 5-7 year olds in the Easter holidays. Age groups are approximate. Application forms and further details can be accessed on the Cornwall Cricket website (www.cornwall-cricket.org.uk) or by contacting Mark Mitchell (07805 787858 / mitch@cornwallcricketboard.com

Fun Skills & Games (Age 7-11): Course 1 – Monday 13th to Thursday 16th February, 9am-1pm. Course 2 – Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th April, 9am-1pm. Cost: £12 per day or all 4 days for £40 (siblings £30). All 8 days: £70.

Ball Skills Starter Course (Age 5-7): Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th April, 10am-noon. Cost: £6 per day or all 4 days for £20 (siblings £15)

Gloucestershire's Chris Taylor, a professional fielding coach, is holding a Fielding Master Class at the Cornwall Cricket Centre on Thursday February 16 from 6.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £20. Contact Joe Skinner 07785 722251 or download an application form at www.cornwall-cricket.org.uk

CHARITY FUNDRAISER:

The Cornwall Under 15 Cricket Team are touring the West Indies at Easter and each player has to raise £1,700 towards the cost of the tour which costs more than £25,000 in all.

As part of their fundraising, the team are holding a private screening of the fantastic cricket film "Fire in Babylon" at the White River Cinema, St Austell on Saturday January 28 at 10.30am at a special price of just £5 per ticket.

If you would like to attend, e-mail perranassociates@btconnect.com – tickets are limited and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis and all proceeds will go towards the tour's central funds – Your support would be greatly appreciated. The boys would also like to thank Mr Williams from WTW Cinemas for his generous support.