Outstanding results were achieved by Wickford-based Carousel Gymnastic Club at the regional grades championship Hemel Hempstead.

Every gymnast was placed and gained a distinction. In level three, Emma Jagger was in excellent form, winning on every piece of apparatus. She was the only gymnast to score over nine on every piece.

Her outstanding score of 9.8 on bars and 9.725 helped her win the title.

Kirsty Wilson just missed out on gold in level four by 0.3, taking first place on vault with 9.6 and floor with 9.10.

Grade one saw Nikke Ellis return in winning form after a year out to take the gold with over nine on every piece and the highest scores on bars (9.575) and beam (9.375).

In grade two Nikki Couzens was in excellent form and also scored over nine on every piece.

She was second on bars with 9.50 to take the silver medal.

Clubmate Sarah Honour started with the highest score on vault, 9.725, and second place on floor, 9.45, to take the bronze.

Sandeep Brar, in grade three, was also in good form. She achieved the highest bar score of 9.575 and over nine on every piece of apparatus to take the title.

Kelly Staples was fifth with the highest floor score of 9.475. Kerri Couzens was sixth with the second highest bars score of 9.40 and Justine Padgham seventh with the third highest score on bars (9.325).

Emma, Nikke, Sandeep, Kirsty, Nikki and Sarah go through to the national finals in May with Kelly as reserve to represent the east region.

Kimberley Whyte took part in the national compulsory level two championships where she gained a distinction with 42.125 which qualifies her to take part in the British Espoir Championship next year.

We're the tops - the winning girls from Wickford's Carousel Gymnastic Club

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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