MEMBERS of a cricket team from Sithney School have become county champions - despite being almost complete novices at the game.

The team won the final match of the English Schools Cricket Association Lord Taverners' under-11 hard ball cricket competition, held at Truro Cricket Club.

The youngsters then went on to represent Cornwall in the regional finals at Newton Abbot.

Headteacher Anne Griffiths said: "It is a tremendous achievement to win such a competition, especially as we are a small school.

"We are very proud of our champions!

"I would like to thank parents Mark Jenkin and Dave Rule, who have coached the team to such a high standard."

The sporting success is the latest piece of good news for the school, which received an excellent Ofsted report earlier this year and recently won a School Achievement Award for a substantial improvement in results for the period 1999 to 2002.

Chairman of governors, Pastor Graham Kitts, said: "This award is well deserved. It reflects the excellent teamwork that has been exhibited over recent years and makes us all justly proud."