BASKETBALL: ELLESMERE Port Catholic High secured a hat-trick of national titles on Saturday as they were crowned English Schools' Champions at U16 boys and girls plus U19 boys levels.

All three games took place in Uxbridge and victory in the U19 boys' final, 76-62 over Sheffield's Silverdale, was the only schools' title to have eluded EPCH.

EPCH led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter and were 35-27 up by the interval.

They started the second half by putting their Yorkshire opponents under intense pressure, led 61-43 going into the final quarter and survived a late fightback from Silverdale to come through.

Scorers: Tom Bowen (27); Matthew Williams (12); Michael Adams (11); Dale Warrington (7); Matthew Smith (7); Matthew Lloyd (9); Byron Ward (3).

The U16 boys overcame Park View Academy of London, 92-58, who they had also beaten in last year's U15s final by 17 points.

The win completed a treble for this team who were U14s winners in 2003, but it marked a first U16s boys success for the school since 1982.

EPCH were 31-12 up by the end of the first quarter, led 54-24 at the interval and took an 82-37 advantage into the final period.

Scorers: Matthew Smith (27); Tom Bowen (25); Byron Ward (11); Matthew Williams (8); Matthew Lloyd (7); Matthew Garner (6); Mark Kemp (5); Richard Carpenter (3).

The U16 girls, who were national champions as U15s and U14s, also secured a hat-trick by edging out London's Greig City Academy 60-58, which also retained the U16 girls title for the school.

Although EPCH were 20-9 up after 10 minutes, their opponents hauled themselves to within three points (25-28) by the break.

EPCH led 42-37 at the end of the third and trailed 53-50 with two minutes to play, but eight points from Kirsty Leedham and two for Amy Kenny saw them through.

Scorers: Kirsty Leedham (29); Abbie Thompson-Jones (11); Laura Hughes (9); Ami Brice (5); Emma Lacy (4); Amy Kenny (2).