Success for quartet of athletes (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Success for quartet of athletes

1:00pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Sport By Daniel Milligan

BOBSLEDDER Olly Biddulph said he was delighted after he broke two of his personal bests at the World Junior Championships in Austria.

The 19-year-old, from Westonzoyland, finished 16th from 27 of the best bobsledders ages under 26 in the world with a time of 54.19s.

He also broke his previous push start time, recording 5.29s on the course in Igles.

He said: “I am very happy with how I've done. I beat the people I wanted to and if I had recorded that time at the Winter Youth Olympics I would have picked up gold.

“My coach [Lee Johnston] said it shows I can step up to this level.”

Biddulph's dream is now to work towards the Senior Winter Olympics at South Korea in 2018 while continuing his studies in economics at Reading University.

FOOTBALLER Andy Venning said he is excited ahead of his trip to Spain with the England Schools Under 18's squad.

The 18-year-old, from Bridgwater, jetted off yesterday with the team as they take on a Valencia youth team on Thursday.

The team will also play another friendly on their trip against a nearby youth team along with training sessions throughout the week.

Venning played 65 minutes in England Schools 0-0 draw with Australia earlier this month.

The Bridgwater College youngster is hoping to feature in the squad that competes in the Centenary Sheild which kicks-off against Wales on March 7.

NETBALLER Sammy Kemmish was player of the match for her efforts in the British Colleges' match against Northern Ireland Under 21s national team at the weekend.

Kemmish, 16, who also represents Bridgwater Netball Club, played goal shooter for the first match and did not miss one shot in the second half and scored between 80 and 90% of her shots in the first half.

Despite the team losing narrowly by two points, Kemmish was awarded the players' player of the match vote.

The second day of matches saw the Bridgwater College youngster play goal shooter for the first half and goal attack in the second half.

She said: “I was really pleased with my performance and even though it was frustrating that we lost by one point in the second game, the games were really close and intense, and it was a good weekend.”

CRICKETER Keiran Cosens made his debut for the England Physical Disability squad this weekend in their two Twenty20 matches.

Cosens, 23, from North Petherton, featured in their narrow 14-run defeat to Pakistan in Dubai on Saturday, hitting two before being trapped in front chasing late runs.

Pakistan posted 120-8 from their 20 overs but England lost late wickets and crumbled to 104 all out.

The England side lost the series on Sunday with a 20-run defeat in their second Twenty20 match in Dubai.