A TEAM of seven gymnasts from Southampton's Horizon TeamGym Club are all smiles after a brilliant performance at the British TeamGym Southern Tournament held in Hemel Hempstead.

With five team members having passed squad trials in October, it has been a steep learning curve for the new team, but they took the weekend confidently in their stride, scoring 16.65 over three pieces of apparatus - just 0.2 behind Waterside Gym Club who took gold.

Thanks go to coaches Lisa Souter and Sarah Critchley who co-ordinated the trip, coached the gymnasts and enabled them to experience an event they will never forget.

The silver medallists are pictured (top) back row left to right: Lucy Carrett, Lauren Mellors, Hannah Yard, Karla Lambert, coach Lisa Souter, Gabby House, Chloe Jones, Georgia Palmer and coach Sarah Critchley.

l Meanwhile, Horizon entered two teams in the Recreational TeamGym Festival at Wyvern Technical College which attracted 156 competitors.

Seven girls, aged between eight and 11, came second in the women's competition with a score of 23.35. They performed on three pieces of apparatus at level three, putting on a great performances with their team floor display, tumble moves and trampette.

Pictured (middle), back row left to right: Miranda Pettiffer, Katie Whitford, Nicole Looker, Lucy Tinson, Front, Amy Smith, Nadia Douglas, Olivia Stone.

Horizon's mixed team, aged seven to 11, came eighth with 21.25. For many it was their first taste of competition in front of judges and an audience.

Pictured (bottom) back row, left to right: Eloise Flavell, Charlotte Marshall, Keira Rance, Lucie Dick, Megan Nelson. Front: James Reid, Joe Martin, Beth Reid, Sarah van Vuuren.