LINDAL and Marton School completed a remarkable treble at the Furness Schools Key Steps Gymnastics finals.

Teams from the school claimed victory in the small schools event at Key Steps 1, 2 and 3 levels – a hat-trick of triumphs to earn them places at the Cumbria School Games finals.

There was also a double success for Yarlside Academy in the large schools competition, with St George's completing the line-up of teams who will go forward to represent the district in Penrith at the end of the month.

A total of 20 teams made it through their respective cluster events to the Furness finals at Park Leisure Centre in Barrow.

In Key Steps 1, teams of years 1 and 2 pupils from South Walney Infants, Chapel Street, Church Walk, Sir John Barrow and St George’s battled for honours, while the Key Steps 2 squads of Years 3 and 4 children came from Dane Ghyll, Yarlside, Vickerstown, Ulverston St Mary’s, Askam, Burlington and Lindal and Marton.

Finally, in Key Steps 3 – for Years 5 and 6 pupils – there were teams from Yarlside, Vickerstown, Sir John Barrow, Askam, St Paul’s, Burlington and Lindal and Marton.

In all three levels the gymnasts have to perform a vault and floor routine which is marked out of 10 – on this occasion by student judges from Dowdales School.

The difficulty increases with the age of the participants, and in Key Steps 3 floor routines are performed to music, allowing a greater range of expression.

St George’s took the Key Steps 1 large school honours with a score of 91.62, edging out South Walney Infants.

In Key Steps 2 and 3, Yarlside were the winners with scores of 95.88 and 95.55, finishing ahead of Dane Ghyll and Askam Village School respectively.

Furness school games organiser Oliver Carswell praised the standard of the competition, and said: “It was nice to hold the event in a venue that could accommodate parents and family members watching, as we were unable to do that last year.

“Having music throughout all the competitions added to the atmosphere and the children were more relaxed because of it. Overall, I am very happy how the competition went.

“The standard of the gymnasts was very high, which shows the great work the teachers and children have been doing at their schools.

“The judges were excellent and were able to hold their concentration throughout the day, show their appreciation for good performances and, most importantly, give accurate scores for each gymnast.”