Boys bask in glory

Jul 3 2003 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BASKETBALL: ELLESMERE Port & Neston's boys' basketball team retained their Cheshire Youth Games title for the fourth successive year in Macclesfield on Saturday, while the borough captured the overall Fair Play winners' prize for the first time.

More than 250 youngsters from across the borough competed in 12 sports among a field of 1,000 entrants from across the county.

And the boys' basketball team, coached for the first time by 17-year-old Jenny Leedham, finished first in their group with victories in all their matches before comfortably defeating neighbours Chester in the final to collect the winners' shield, with George Banks named Most Valuable Player.

Manager Jim McGinn said: 'It was fantastic that we were able to keep our stranglehold over the basketball crown and it was won with some outstanding teamwork and committed defence.

'I was delighted Jenny, who started her basketball career at the Youth Games in 1999, was able to steer the squad to success with an unblemished record in her first year.'

Ellesmere Port & Neston also enjoyed four runnersup awards, finishing second in the Year Five-Six athletics, Year Five swimming, Year Six swimming and girls' football.

As well as been presented with the overall Fair Play Cup, the borough won the individual Fair Play awards for hockey, table tennis and girls' cricket.

Lee Bailey, Ellesmere Port & Neston's youth sport development officer, said: 'We're delighted to be named overall Fair Play winners for the first time as it shows that the youngsters in our borough compete in the true spirit of sport.

'The children worked very hard for this event, alongside their parents, teachers and coaches, and they all really deserve this success. Also, Shell UK have given us great support by continuing their generous sponsorship.'