ST BEDE’S proved to be the perfect hosts when they staged Lancashire School Games Under 13s Table Tennis Championships.

The competition brought together borough winners from across the county as they battled it out for Red Rose glory.

A total of nine girls teams and 12 boys teams – each consisting of four players – made their way to the Blackburn venue.

Teams were ranked one to four and then played against the corresponding player from the opposing team. It was a best of three games format with each game being played to 11 points. Teams were split into groups and the top teams in each group went through into the knockout competition while the bottom teams went into the plate competition.

In the Girl’s knockout competition teams from Preston and East Lancashire won through.

St Bede’s, Bowland, Penwortham and Garstang all qualified for the semi-finals. It was St Bede’s and Garstang who then progressed to the final and a tense and even contest developed. St Bede’s number one player Maddie Elliott defeated her counterpart 3-0 to get the hosts off to the perfect start.

The next three matches all finished in a score of 2-1, one in favour of Garstang and two in favour of St Bede’s. It meant that the St Bede’s team of Maddie Elliott, Jessica Kitt, Charlotte Cook and Leah Rhodes were crowned 2014 Lancashire School Games champions by an overall score of 8-4.

In the Girl’s plate competition St Bede’s ‘B’ team came out on top. The fact that they were a ‘B’ team meant they were ineligible to enter the main knockout but their consolation was victory in the plate competition after wins over Sir John Thursby and Accrington Academy.

The standard on display in the Boy’s competition was very impressive with many club and county players on display. St Bede’s, Broughton, St Augustines and Ripley St Thomas’ all made it through to the semi-finals. St Bede’s defeated Broughton and Ripley beat St Augustines to set up an exciting final. Ultimately it was Ripley St Thomas from Lancaster who proved too strong for a spirited St Bede’s team with the Lancaster side prevailing by a score of 9-3.

However, there was success for St Bede’s Boys in the Plate competition as their B team defeated Montgomery to take the crown.

Andrew Mercer, the Blackburn and Darwen School Games Organiser was delighted that the school was able to host the event and was impressed by what he saw.

“This was a really enjoyable competition to be part of, and games were played not only to a very high standard but also in a great spirit.” he said.

However, it wasn’t just about the players, as Young Leaders from St Bede’s helped make the day such an success.

“I would like to thank St Bede’s for hosting the competition and for their 16 young leaders who were exceptional umpires and officials on the day,” added Mercer.

“Dave Pilkington did a great job putting together the format and organising the fixtures and St Bede’s success in all of the competitions again highlights his ability as an exceptional coach.”