RICHARD S Trampoline Club had two representatives at the British Championships at the Indoor Arena in Birmingham. This was Elliot Stratton s first time at the championships, and he handled the pressure extremely well. He performed two good routines, with

RICHARD'S Trampoline Club had two representatives at the British Championships at the Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

This was Elliot Stratton's first time at the championships, and he handled the pressure extremely well.

He performed two good routines, with minimal travel, using his new higher difficulty voluntary routine successfully.

He finished in sixth place, qualifying him through to the finals.

Michael Dodson was a little shaky during his set routine, which cost him important form marks.

But he improved during his voluntary routine, although he reduced the difficulty slightly due to having problems with one of his twisting double somersaults just prior to the competition.

Nonetheless, he was also in sixth place and qualified through to the finals.

Elliot continued well, he repeated his new voluntary routine successfully and this enabled him to remain in sixth place.

This was something for Elliot to be very proud of considering he only started trampolining less than three years ago.

He flew out to Australia the following day to continue his training there with Tony Burton. He'll be greatly missed by the club and his many friends on the circuit.

Unfortunately, this wasn't going to be Michael's day. A good performance would certainly have put him up with the medals. However there was too much travel during his routine, which meant he landed on the end deck, so he had to end his routine early.

This moved him down into eighth place. But at the tender age of 14, and this being his fifth time at the championships his future looks very promising indeed.

Michael's older brother, Phillip Dodson also competed, but representing Team Trampoline Promotions.

He also qualified through to the finals, but a costly mistake left him in eighth place. However in his age group he performed well and finished in third spot.