YOUNGSTERS with a head for heights were in peak form at a national indoor climbing championships, reports IAN MORGAN.

The high-flying Combined Cadet Force at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools soared to a memorable double triumph in Cardiff.

The team was crowned Wales Cadet Indoor Climbing champions, while 16-year-old Thomas Wardle won the individual title.

Thomas, who lives in the town, put in a dazzling performance and was the only cadet to complete each problem first time at the Boulders climbing centre.

This was a particularly superb achievement because Thomas competed against cadets who were two years older.

Thomas, Leo Wainwright, Oliver Lloyd and Tomos Boshoff formed the senior team, with Leo almost making the final despite only having been on a climbing wall twice before.

Rohan Badgami, Dylan Morton, Henry Trick-Eagles and Harry Thomas formed the junior team, most of whom competed against older and far more experienced cadets.

Henry narrowly missed out on reaching the junior final.

All the boys showed composure, determination, strength and agility as well as the ability to read a route.

The challenging event included roped-climbing and bouldering.

For the climbing category, each cadet had to attempt four routes, each progressively becoming more technical with holds being smaller and sparse.

Bouldering is very much about problem-solving where cadets compete on lower routes with increasingly challenging moves.

The cadets had eight problems to solve and three attempts at each.

The Monmouth boys performed with great skill throughout the day.

And with very limited preparation, the boys showed grit and determination to be deservedly crowned Welsh climbing champions.