LAST Monday saw the inaugural season completed when all eight teams in the league descended on Smithills School for the Handicap Tournament.

Glorious sunshine, perfect pitches and ideal conditions contributed to a great event, but the real stars of the day were the players who demonstrated without any doubt that they have improved beyond the wildest dreams of their coaches, all of whom are truly proud of their respective charges.

Teams were handicapped runs depending on their respective league positions to make the event even more competitive and more nail-biting than all that had gone before.

In the year 7/8 group, MSJ were the most consistent team, eventually winning all their matches, beating the impressive Sharples team without needing their handicap.

Withins were involved in the two best games in the group and unlucky to lose 53-57 to Sharples and 50-62 to the improving Smithills team.

The trophy was deservedly won by MSJ who took maximum points. Runners up were Sharples just two points behind, followed by Smithills, a further two adrift in third spot.

The year 9/10 group was an equally close-run affair with Withins losing out on the last few balls to Sharples who won the match by 10 runs, while Smithills were well beaten by MSJ in the highest scoring game of the day 101-69. This, however, inspired the Smithills team to greater things as they went on to win all their remaining games but were unable to catch the MSJ team who finished the day unbeaten to lift the winners trophy, followed by Smithills, who recovered to take the runners-up place, with Sharples coming in third.

The league officials were pleased to welcome Kirstine Hogg, Sports Development Officer for Women and Girls, to present the trophies and personal mementoes of the day to the winning teams. An acknowledgement of the debt of gratitude the league owes to Kirstine and her colleague Anthony Turner for all they have done to get the league to its current position.

It is confidently expected that the league will develop, as planned, next season with further coaches achieving qualification and more schools participating. Anyone requiring information should contact league secretary Dave Jolly on 01204 409180.