A YOUNG team of martial artists from Barry have competed in a variety of events at the Welsh Club Karate Championships, with the Vale based karateka claiming a number of podium finishes.

The Rising Sun club's first event was a team 'kata' event for eight and nine year olds. Ruby Bennett, Lloyd Jones and Jamie Jones began the day with a high level synchronized kata and despite getting through to the final round, they narrowly missed out with a fourth place finish overall.

Bennett and Lloyd Jones again represented the club in the individual event, split across two rounds. With Jones up first, his strong technique and stances earned him a score of 17.6 out of 20. Bennett chose to perform a high standard kata, wowing the judges with her concentration and technique. She scored 18.1 out of 20, giving her a deserved third place podium finish.

In the team clicker event, Rising Sun submitted three sides with the first – Team C – comprising of debutant Arwen Kilgour, Rhys Andrews and Jamie Jones, up against Cwmbran.

Despite being matched up with a current Welsh national team member, Kilgour pushed forward with her hands held high and narrowly missed out on the win. Rhys Andrews also went close, despite getting caught with a fierce head kick early on, regaining his focus only to fall one point short of the victory.

Jamie Jones was up third and whilst facing yet another Welsh team member he remained unfazed, using his superior head kicks to finish the bout with a victory.

Rising Sun C 1- 2 Cwmbran

Team B, comprised of Levi Gronow, Rhys Andrews and Wilson Wong, earned a comprehensive win in their opening match over Rhondda.

Levi was first up for team Rising Sun, working the low kick from the whistle, showing similar technique to his Welsh champion grandfather Phil Burbidge and earning him the victory for his team.

Rhys was next up as a stand in for an absent fighter and it was clear he had learnt from his recent defeat, by scoring with three head kicks to win the bout. Victory was sealed with Wilson Wong picking his opponent off from the start with great punches and kicks.

Rising Sun B 3-0 Rhondda

Team A , featuring Ruby Bennett, Jamie Jones and Lloyd Jones were drawn against the highly experienced Mountain Ash, who were awash with international talent.

First up was Jamie Jones, who after being warned for his aggressive approach, settled into the fight to grab the victory.

Next up was Ruby Bennett who grabbed an easy victory for the team, while finally Lloyd Jones put his recent experience competing in the regional clicker event in the summer to good use, looking composed as he picked his opponent off with ease.

Rising Sun A 3- 0 Mountain Ash

The semi-finals saw Team A vs Team B, with exhibition style bouts. Team A grabbed the win to go through to the final.

After reaching the final, The Rising Sun side were undone by a strong Cwmbran unit as they were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat.

First up was Jamie Jones against a taller opponent, and despite a hard fought battle with lots of good technique, Jones lost the opening bout. Bennett started the better of the two fighters in her fight and was unlucky some of her clicks went unnoticed. Refusing to lose heart, she carried on pushing forward catch her opponent with some excellent counter strikes, but unfortunately went on to lose 3-2. Last up was Lloyd Jones, who gave his all throughout the bout showing great kyokushin spirit and technique, but ultimately coming up short in the referees eyes.

Rising Sun A 0-3 Cwmbran

Individual Clicker

Two of the club's most experienced members were chosen to represent the club in this event, for ages 10 and below, in which the height and grades on display meant it looked a tough challenge for Rising Sun's younger fighters to get a podium finish.

First up was Ruby Bennett against a male green belt with a Welsh badge, but against the odds her fluent movement and clean technique helped her romp to victory.

Next up was Lloyd Jones, who had done well to hold his own throughout the day against bigger and stronger opponents. For his first fight he was against a lower grade, showing great kyokushin etiquette and working his opponent lightly. As well as claiming the victory, he gave his opponent some valuable experience.

Jones again faced up against a seasoned fighter in the last 16, and despite making a positive start pushing his opponent off the mat twice, the fight began to turn and eventually lost out by one point.

Bennett meanwhile, taking on a strong Cardiff kyokushinkai fighter, once again stuck to the game plan and kept it simple to grab another victory with a 3-0 win.

The semi-final saw Bennett up against another green belt with international experience, and despite moving well and scoring with clean shots, the referees handed her opponent a 2-1 win.

Ruby Bennett finished in second place in the best technique category, as well as picking up a third place overall for the kata and clicker.

Lloyd Jones came fifth in the most spirited fighter placings, while Team A took second place.

The club would like to thank it's sponsors Whiliee Smart, Cardiff Auto Spray, PC and Mobiles Barry, Bennett's Removals and The Baruc Arms.

For more information on joining the club, contact Lee on 07811 110368, or turn up for a free lesson at Barry Island Community Centre on Mondays or Wednesdays. Junior training is between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, while adults train between 8pm and 9pm.