TENNIS: FOLLOWING a mammoth schedule of almost 600 matches, St Winefride's were crowned Division One Play-off Champions at the Central Venue Mini Tennis Tournament at Neston.
A total of 13 primary schools from throughout the borough took part in the biggest competition of its kind in the North of England.
After 48 matches each in a round-robin league system, Bishop Wilson finished top with 44 wins and just four losses with Woodfall (40-8) runnersup and St Winefride's (40-8) third.
Also booking their place in the Division One play-offs were Childer Thornton (34-14), Dawpool (29-19) and Parkgate (28-20).
The schools who finished between seventh to 13th formed the Division Two play-offs and were as follows - Neston (23-25), William Stockton (18-30), Wolverham (15-33), Whitby Heath (15-33), Heswall (14-34), Gorsthills (6-42) and Rossmore (6-42).
In the Division One play-off quarterfinals, Bishop Wilson defeated Park-gate 4-0, Dawpool overcame Woodfall 3-1 and Childer Thornton edged out St Winefride's on points difference after the match finished 2-2.
However, as the best runners-up, St Winefride's received a wild card into the semis and defeated Bishop Wilson 3-1 to set up another encounter with Childer Thornton, who beat Dawpool 3-1 in the other semi.
The final again finished 2-2 between the sides but this time it was St Wine-fride's who came out on top against Childer Thornton on points difference.
In the Division Two play-off quarterfinals, William Stockton were 4-0 victors over Rossmore, Wolverham topped Gorsthills 3-1 and Whitby Heath secured a 3-1 win over Heswall.
The semis saw William Stockton edge out Wolverham on points difference after their match ended 2-2, while Neston, who had received a bye in the previous round, defeated Whitby Heath 3-1.
Like the Division One final, the Division Two decider was a close affair but William Stockton took the crown on points difference following a 2-2 finish against Neston.
Various companies sponsored schools - KG Bell Glass, Neston (Woodfall); Burton Nurseries (St Winefride's); Barra Boarding Kennels (Childer Thornton); Hardings Motor Company (Parkgate); Cheshire LTA (Wolverham); Port Tyres (William Stockton); Cavendish Manley (Whitby Heath); Pizza Express (Heswall); Urenco (Gorsthills); Wirral Cars (Ross-more). The tournament was sponsored by Shell UK and The Halifax.
Organiser Mal Jones said: 'I'd like to thank all the parents and teachers who helped out with getting the children to the venue and umpiring, everyone really enjoyed themselves and, hopefully, some of them will now progress to full tennis.'
