SHARPLES Wrestling Club put in a 10-out-of-10 performance at the English Junior Championships.

That was the number of athletes they took to the event in Derbyshire, and the number of medals they returned to Bolton with.

Nine-year-old Phoebe Cocker started the success story when she won gold in the 25kg weight category for girls.

She showed impressive character and determination to fight back from 4-0 behind at half time in the first match.

After some advice from club coach – and England wrestling team manager – Eddy Kavanagh, she produced an early pin in the second half and went on to win all her remaining matches.

Ellis Crossley, aged 16, struck gold with an impressive 100-per-cent winning record in the 65kg category, overcoming a tough opponent from the USA on the way.

And Malachy O’Rourke, 16, made it a hat-trick of golds for Sharples in the 48kg competition.

Eleven-year-old Luke Bennison-Moore continued to impress club coaches with his improvement as he produced a with a solid performance to win a hard-fought silver at 27kg.

Adding to the silver medal haul was Ellie Martland, aged nine, at 29kg, 15-year-old Malachy O’Neil at 48kg, David Siko, aged 12, in the 44kg category, and 14-year-old Josh Moore in his 47kg competition, while bronzes were won by Amelia Berry, aged nine, at 25kg and Harley Martland at 24kg.

The medal haul in Alfreton maintained Sharples' impressive performance this year, proving they can shine on the big stage as the English Championships attract all British Wrestling Association member clubs.

Kavanagh paid tribute to the local youngsters, who were supported on the day by the club's recent Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Georgina Nelthorpe.

"It was an impressive team performance with all 10 who were selected for the team coming back with medals," he said.

"Sharples Wrestling Club is committed to developing wrestlers for the long term, and sometimes our junior members suffer as a result, mainly due to us encouraging them to attack and to try their moves.

"So, to come back with 10 medals from 10 wrestlers at the English Championships is testament to the club and all its hard work."

On Nelthorpe, he added: "Georgina has just completed her UKCC level one in wrestling and is committed to helping the club’s youngsters. She is a real inspiration to our junior team, especially the girls."