HARD work and dedication certainly paid off for the girls St Cuthbert’s after they were crowned Darwen Primary Schools League champions.

The super Saints won all of their matches, including their winner-takes-all clash against St Edwards.

It was an impressive record for the St Cuthbert’s especially as only two of the eight players involved had played football before.

“We held training sessions during dinner time and after schools,” said PE coordinator Gary Lloyd. “Only a couple of girls had played football before so for them to win is great.

“I’m delighted all their hard work paid off!”

The league was held over the course of three weeks at the Soccerdome where teams played two games each night.

Other schools involved were reigning champions Avondale, St Peters, Holy Trinity while Belmont and St Stephen’s put in a joint team.

St Cuthbert’s and St Edwards won their opening five games meaning who ever won their encounter, which happened to be the final game would win the league.

And it was St Cuthbert’s who triumphed as they Darwen school ran out 3-1 winners.