Whatmough and Widdowson double trouble at School Games

By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat

RYAN Whatmough and Joe Widdowson insist they are far from done after kicking off their 2012 Sainsbury's School Games assault in style - snapping up both para-cycling titles on offer.

DOUBLE TIME: Ryan Whatmough and Joe Widdowson proved unstoppable in the cycling as the Sainsbury's School Games kicked into action in London

After Sunday saw just the hockey take place, Bank Holiday Monday saw the UK's biggest multi-sport event for school-age athletes, backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England, really get off the ground with nine of the 12 sports in action.

And there was no doubt that the stars were at Redbridge Cycling Club as England North West's Whatmough and Widdowson won the Tandem Crit, the first gold up for grabs at this year's event, before crossing the Tandem Road Race finishing line first as well.

But with two more medals on offer on Tuesday, not to mention Wednesday's tandem events at the London 2012 Velodrome to contest, Whatmough has bad news for their rivals expecting them to run out of steam.

"We're over the moon, we weren't expecting to win the two gold medals," 16-year-old Whatmough said.

"It has gone beyond expectations, I've never been to an event like this before it's such a phenomenal atmosphere everyone has been great.

"We've been together just over a month, we have definitely come on and we are both working fantastically together.

"This has been such a good start we really want to carry it on from here now and build on these two wins.

"We will keep working hard and try to pick up some more medals on the road and track - it's as simple as that."

Elsewhere, England London & South East are the only side still unbeaten after day one of the Rugby Sevens at Barking Rugby Club, while England Under-18 boys were the big winners in the hockey, easing past Wales 6-0.

England Central dominated both the boys and girls volleyball events, each team winning their opening two matches by straight sets, with England West doing the same in the wheelchair basketball.

Meanwhile, no sooner had Emma Pang come down from the top step of the judo podium at the ExCeL was she plotting her return with a mouth-watering hat-trick in her sights.

The 15-year-old took to the mat as the one to beat as the 2011 -48kg champion, but she once again swept all before her as she got the better of compatriot Eve Mikhael in the final to keep hold of her crown.

And with Pang eligible to defend her title again next year, she vowed to do just that, adamant she is not ready to let go any time soon.

"I really enjoyed being out there and winning a gold medal at a London 2012 venue," Pang said.

"I am young enough to come back next year and I will definitely be looking to collect the hat-trick - that is my aim."

The Sainsbury's 2012 School Games is being held in the Olympic Park and other venues from 6-9 May 2012 with school-aged elite athletes competing across 12 sports. Visit www.2012schoolgames.com for more information.