MICHELLE Oakes did not realise how successful her return to trampolining, almost two decades since her previous competition, had gone.

As leader of British Gymnastics’ ceremonies team, she makes sure others are in the right place to receive a medal.

And she was doing that duty on Saturday, for the national veterans’ championship, in between completing two clean routines on her favourite piece of apparatus.

“I’m usually sending gymnasts to the podium, not standing on it myself,” she said.

“I’m still a bit stunned if I’m honest – I was more worried about not falling off.”

She need not have been.

Instead the Hartford School of Gymnastics coach’s combined score was highest in the women’s novice over 40s category.

And by two points which, in gymnastics, is a sizeable margin.

Oakes said: “I was nervous, really nervous, beforehand.

“But it was a buzz to get back up there. That said, I am officially retiring this time!

“I proved I could do it, which is what I wanted.”

She had spent the past few months preparing a routine, squeezing in practice sessions between training gymnasts at the club’s home on Cosgrove Business Park in Anderton.

Four of them – Emma Frith, Megan Palmer, Kathryn Sissons and Suzie Eyre – were also in action in at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire.

Frith, a two-time women’s artistic champion at intermediate level, made an impressive debut in the over 18s pro all-around.

Incorporating new, more advanced skills in her routines on vault and bars, the 22-year-old reached her target.

Her score for the latter was third highest in the field.

Oakes said: “After watching Emma work so hard with coach David Smith to be ready, it was amazing to see her showcase what she’s learned.”

Palmer’s training had been interrupted by an ankle injury, but she recovered to classify fourth in the over 18s novice all-around competition – which includes routines on bars, beam, floor and vault.

Sissons also narrowly missed out on a medal in the women’s over 18s novice trampoline.

After a tidy opening routine, she increased the difficulty level in her second, performing brilliantly.

Eyre had never competed previously, but showcased a new beam routine and floor sequence to rank inside the top 10 in the over 18s novice all-around.

“It was a dream day,” reflected Oakes.

“The girls received fantastic support from our coaching team, as well as our dedicated Green Army of followers who travelled down there to cheer them all on.”

Northwich Guardian:

Hartford School of Gymnastics coach Michelle Oakes shows off the gold medal she won in her category on trampoline at the British Vets in Shropshire on Saturday