Two Woodroffe pupils were judged to be the best schools acrobatic pair in the south west region last week, and have won their way through to compete in the national finals.

Two Woodroffe pupils were judged to be the best schools acrobatic pair in the south west region last week, and have won their way through to compete in the national finals.

Year seven and eight pupils Georgia Rooke and Valentine Tutcher, pictured right on the podium, won the girls' under 13 category of the south west schools' acrobatic gymnastics championships.

Both girls usually train with other partners against each other, and undertook most of their training together in the park and at each other's houses.

The tough competition, which saw many partnerships competing against each other, rewards those who perform relatively simple acrobatic gymnastics with flawless execution.

"We're both usually the ones being lifted up and balanced in the air, as we're normally the tops of women's trios," said Georgia, "but because I'm that little bit younger, I was the 'top' for this competition. We don't normally get to compete for our school either, so it's good to win medals for them."

Both girls are in the 'acrobatics squad' group of Honiton Gymnastics Club, and train 13+ hours a week.

High performance coach Helen Nayler said: "The girls performed exceptionally well, and earned their place in the national finals. The event is fiercely competitive, and even includes World and European champions at their age groups. It is a great introduction to the sport, a good way to perfect the fundamental skills, and an excellent way for them to work on choreography together, while having fun at school at the same time."

Eight-year-old Charlotte Beviss and 11-year old Lauren Davey, from Honiton Primary School, were in first position in the under 11 girls pair category up until the penultimate routine of the competition, when they were pipped to the post, by just 0.15 of a mark, by a pair from Bristol.

Adam Fullick, from Clyst Vale, brought back a bronze medal in the boys' under 13 tumbling event.

Thirteen partnerships, plus tumblers, from Honiton Gym Club competed, with representation from The Woodroffe School, Honiton Primary School, Honiton Community College, The King's School, Feniton Primary School, Colyton Grammar School, Clyst Vale, St Michaels, Charmouth Primary School, Farway Primary School, and Offwell Primary School.

Girls under 11 pairs: 2, Lauren Davey , Charlotte Beviss, Honiton Primary School ; 10, Charlotte Drawer, Cerys Mack, Feniton Primary School; 15, Hollie Bowkowski, Sharna Curley - Offwell Primary School; 16, Hannah Selway, Tyla Stringer, Honiton Primary School; 21, Amy Phillips, Emma Tipton - Feniton Primary School; 29, Megan Quick, Michelle Quick - St Michael's.

Under 11 mixed pairs: 5, Callum Abbott, Hannah Selway, Honiton Primary.

Under 13 girls pairs: 1, Valentine Tutcher, Georgia Rooke, The Woodroffe School.

Over 13 girls pairs: 5, Michaela Jones, Jasmine Waterfield, Honiton Community College; 15, Rebekah Lawrence, Becky Matthews, Colyton Grammar School; 18, Charlotte Hartland, Emma Saunders, The King's School; 25, Rebecca Fullard, Danielle Curley, Honiton Community College; 27, Rosie Lyus, Danielle Hartland, Colyton Grammar School.

Under 13 boys' tumbling: 3, Adam Fullick, Clyst Vale. Under 11 boys' tumbling: 4, Buster Tutcher, Charmouth Primary School; 5, Ashley Wallis, Farway Primary School.

l Honiton Gym Club's Buster Tutcher and Ashley Wallis started the 2010 acrobatic gymnastics season with a podium place, taking the bronze medal in the Bristol Invitational competition.

The duo, both in year six, have moved up a difficulty level since winning the Spelthorne Open in October last year, and performed their new moves well to take the third spot in the grade 2 men's pair event.

Ashley lives in Honiton and goes to Farway Primary School, and Buster lives in Lyme Regis and goes to Charmouth Primary School.