CHESHIRE smashed their way to a memorable double success at the English Under 16s Regional Championships decider.
The county boys and girls teams, captained by Ben Tyler and Leanne Kindley and predominantly made up of players from the Deva and Tarporley clubs, beat all-comers at the big Wolverhampton event to be crowned national champions.
With goalkeeper Kara Hunte and attacker Sophie Unsworth in top form, the girls overcame Staffordshire 9-1, Merseyside 5-2 and Greater Manchester 6-3 to seal a semi-final showdown against Staffordshire, who held their own early on before being swept aside 6-2.
Merseyside were expected to provide stiff opposition in the final but they were no match for a Cheshire side who ran out 6-3 winners with Emily Maddison doing most of the damage.
The boys, for whom Alex Turner and Zak Dunstone stood out, defeated Greater Manchester 8-7 and Merseyside 7-4 to set up a last-four clash against Lancashire, which they won 11-9 to book their place in the final against Bedfordshire.
The underdogs started brightly but Cheshire were not to be denied and they recorded a 9-5 victory which owed much to the sharp-shooting skills of hot-shot Dunstone.
Deva Handball Club runs sessions at the Northgate Arena in Chester on Mondays from 5-6pm for school children in years 3-8 and Thursdays from 4-6pm for school children in years 9-11. Adults training sessions take place at Bishops’ High School on Mondays from 7-9pm.
All are welcome and for more information email club captain Stephen Jameson at ste.jamo@talktalk.net or visit www.devahandballclub.org.uk
