RYEDALE Flames have capped an excellent year by winning the Yorkshire Team Championship in Dewsbury last week.

Claire Douch, Lorna Ruston, Charlotte Ledden, Sarah Wardle and Stephanie Hackett made up the 12 years and over team (level B), who won the gold medal at the Yorkshire Womens Artistic Floor and Vault Team Championship.

And there were further successes for the Flames as they picked up three silver medals and a bronze at other age group levels.

Coach Kevin Dekeyser said: "This was the most successful Yorkshire competition our gymnasts have been involved with during the year. Their team spirit was tremendous. Unfortunately, Lorna Ruston suffered a dislocated knee during her tumbling, but her team-mates rallied to perform outstandingly and win the premier age group."

The tournament was the perfect end to a year, in which the Flames gained six North and East Yorkshire individual floor and vault champions and one Yorkshire individual tumbling champion, on top of the recent team success.

The other medal winners from the Dewsbury event were: Silver medal - ten and 11 years (level A) - Stacey Thompson, Victoria Tyler, Sam Twamley, Sonia Allanson.

Silver medal - ten and 11 years (level B) - Michaela Edens, Jemma Smith, Chloe Williams, Florence Henderson, Zoe Potter.

Silver medal - six and seven years (level A) - Millie Bell, Chloe Avison, Keilee Wilson, Jessica Whittal-Williams.

Bronze medal - eight and nine years (level A) - Emily Alasfar, Bethany Thomas, Kim Lawson, Naomi Seed, Kayleigh Hall.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, December 13, 2001