FORTY Dorset Pentathletes members took part in the National Biathle Championships at Salford Quays near Manchester – the most athletes ever from the club to compete in the event.

And they had great success, winning five gold, five silver and three bronze medals, once again emerging as the top team in the competition with five national champions.

The championships were also used as selection for the World Championships in Cyprus this October, with the top six in each age group qualifying for the Great Britain squad.

Dorset got off to a flier in the 12-and-under race for girls and boys with George Tester taking gold and Ben Samuals silver in the latter. Robert Croager (6th), Ioan Baxter (7th), Jack Sherborne (8th) and Charlie Madden (10th) just missed out on the medals.

In the girls’ race, Daisy Davies took silver with Poppy Boyden (8th), Molly Slade (9th), Aegean Bramley (15th), and Phoebe Mills (16th) finishing outside the top three.

Ryan Symington repeated his success from the last two years to retain the boys’ 10-and-under title and Sam Cobb was second. Anya Evans (5th), Elektra Covell (6th), Rebecca Warland (8th), Georgina Halfhead (9th) and Gemma Wyatt (11th) couldn’t match the boys in the girls’ race.

The next races to go were in the 14-and-under category and once again the Dorset athletes had some good results with Travis Bramley taking gold, Jed Skilton was fifth, Jack White eighth and Tom Boulton 14th.

Alex Withey matched Bramley in the girls’ event and Zoe Gowers clinched silver. Kizzy Price (7th), Olivia Manson (9th), Cordelia Halfhead (13th), Jessica Sutton (14th), Hannah Sherborne (16th) and Connie Baker (18th) also took part.

With a 100m swim sandwiched between two 1,000m runs, the Masters section was a good test for the athletes.

In the men’s 40-plus there was bronze for Nick Ireland and Mark Bramley (4th) and Andy Price (6th) just missed out – Becky Baxter was third in the ladies’ 40-plus race.

Victoria Halford and Leanne Syming-ton couldn’t quite manage podium finishes in the girls’ 16-and-under section, coming home sixth and ninth respectively, but in the boys’ equivalent Jordon Symington took silver, closely followed by team-mate Harrison Yarnold in third. Bradley Sutton (6th), Jamie Price (11th) and Elliot Laville also entered.

The last race of the day, which was a 1,500m run, 200m swim and 1,500m run, saw Africa Mason claim gold in the junior women category, and in the girls’ 18-and-under race Olivia Esposti was fourth and Mason fifth.

Team coach Mick Flaherty said: “Once again the Dorset Pentahletes dominated the British Championships winning more medals than any other team.

“This is an excellent achievement for the athletes with 23 team members being selected for the British team to go to the World Championships.

“Credit also goes to the younger members of the team who have shown lots of determination in their first year of biathle.”