WOODFORD and Epping-based karate club Shikon saw two of it sides fare well in the inter-club Southern England Junior Karate League.

Woodford Warlords have won the Division One title after edging out rivals Epping Gangsters.

The team won the title on fights won despite losing their last match against the Gangsters 4-3. The two will face the Oxford Kamikazes this autumn after they were promoted from the second division.

The other teams in the first division, Ware Predators and the Hornchurch Panthers, battled it out for relegation with the Predators losing out. On display for the Warlords was team captain and English National Champion Jamie Marsh, who competed against Ryan Correya from the Gangsters.

Fight of the day was between Akin Falase of the Warlords and Jamie Keir for the Predators.

The close encounter switched hands throughout the fight before Falas eventually came out on top, winning 12-11.

The competition comprises eight teams split into two divisions of U16 fighters who battle it out over the Spring months.

Each team fields two fighters under 35kg, two under 45kg and the same under 55kg and over 55kg.