A BOLTON high school are having a ball after being crowned the best team in the country.

Year 10 pupils from Rivington and Blackrod High School went to the national handball championships at the Worcester Arena and they beat Carlton Academy from Nottinghamshire 5-2 in the final.

They had qualified for the 'Final 6' event as Northern Champions back in May and started off the tournament with a bang.

The team enjoyed an 8-5 win against another Nottinghamshire school, Rushcliffe Academy, in the opening game of the group stages but they only came runners-up in the group after losing out 10-5 to the North Londonders from Ark Academy.

After booking their spot in the lost four, Rivington proved they were not there to make up the numbers by pulling off a major shock and beating last year's winners Aylesbury Grammar School 5-4 after extra time, having at one stage been 2-0 down.

Rivington found themselves a goal down in the final against Carlton but battled their way to a 5-2 lead with 90 seconds remaining as they went on to record an historic victory.

More than 900 teams started out in regional qualifying tournaments with Rivington & Blackrod winning at the Soccerdome in Manchester and the International Futsal Centre in Leeds to qualify for the national finals.

The Rivington and Blackrod HS Year 10 handball squad, coached by PE teacher Mr Mark Kerr, included: Charlie Fletcher, Jack Berry, Harry Phillips, Oliver Chapman. Marcus Haydock, Ryan Costello, Charlie Mills, Joby Patel, Billy Moss, Levi Moncado, Phillip Wallace, Diar Nika.

Do you have a school sport success story? Get in touch by sending an email to robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk or alternatively ring 01204 537246