A street dance crew from Derwen College in Gobowen, stole the show at a dance competition in Wolverhampton, despite having only formed less than two months earlier.

Derwen Dance Crew (DDC), made up of talented students from the specialist college entered the Nexstar dance competition in Wolverhampton.

The team performed as a group and with individual performances, receiving standing ovations from the audience and professional judges.

They were thrilled to win first prize in the over 16s SEN Street Crew category.

Students Ben Moore-Hill and Billie-Jo Bailey also wowed judges when competing against mainstream dance schools. Ben was awarded second place in the over-16s mainstream Street solo, and Billie-Jo achieved fifth place in the over-16s mainstream contemporary solo.

The judges were impressed by the high standard of DDC, with two handing out the highest possible marks for the group’s performance. The achievement was made especially incredible as DDC was only launched in January, giving students just six weeks of rehearsal time to learn four group dances.

Derwen College's sports and activity maker, and dance instructor Opal Trevor, who assembled the group and supports them in rehearsals and performances, said she was incredibly proud of their achievements.

She said: "The crew have been attending weekly rehearsals and this weekend competed in their first ever Mainstream Street Dance competition in Wolverhampton. They have worked so hard, turning up for rehearsals every week and practising between sessions. They were performing alongside groups and individuals who attend professional dance schools.

“The reaction from audience and judges was overwhelming. Everyone was blown away by what these students had achieved. We received standing ovations, there were even tears! Judges described the performance as beautiful, moving and a demonstration of the diversity of dance.”

Student Ben Moore-Hill, from Sale, near Manchester, was delighted to receive a trophy for his performance in the mainstream street dance competition. The Performing Arts student, whose speciality is the ‘freeze frame’ move, said he was very happy with DDC’s success.

“I was emotional and cried happy tears. I was very proud to dance in front of my parents and in memory of my grandma who recently passed away,” he said.

“It felt like I was a professional dancer. I have been dancing a long time and would like to do it as a career. Carrying on my Street Dancing at Derwen College has made me more confident.

Ben has been performing street dance since he was at school and said he was pleased to be able to share his skills with Derwen College students .

“Opal has been brilliant. I can’t wait to perform at College Prizegiving in front of everyone.”

Performing Arts student Giverney Blomeley added: “It’s really amazing. I was nervous on the day, then so happy we won. I was crying happy tears too.

“We only started in January. It has been difficult to learn the routines but we’ve practised hard and worked well together as a group, To help me learn, I videoed routines on my phone so I could practise between rehearsals."