SOUTH Hetton Primary School's sports teams have had an excellent year of sporting achievements.

For as long as anyone can remember, the school has never had a trophy-winning football team.

However, with the help of parents and staff at the school they beat off stiff competition from across the county to win the Leadgate Eden Colliery Cup.

Having qualified for the play-offs held in Chester-le-Street, four teams battled it out in treacherous weather conditions. South Hetton drew against Aycliffe, beat Horden and Easington RC 2-1 and finally beat Shotley Bridge 1-0 to win the 30-year-old silver cup.

Year 6 teacher Miss Jones said: "They played really well and were a credit to everyone at the school."

The winning line-up was: Lauren Lang, Gary Ashcroft, Darren Scott, Lee Alexander, Andrew Hammond, Andrew Cuthbertson, Dayle Johnson, Sam Wood, John Quarmby (captain).

At the same time, the team were also battling through the qualifying rounds of the George Wilson Cup, which were held at Easington Colliery Primary School.

Darren Scott stepped in as goalkeeper and, despite fierce opposition, managed to keep a clean sheet. South Hetton beat Yoden 1-0 in the semi-final after a fantastic goal by John Quarmby.

The final against Howletch was a nail-biter, the scoreline being 0-0 after extra time. The game was to be decided by the golden goal rule and the supporters went wild when Gary Ashcroft scored a superb goal into the bottom left corner.

The school has had equal success with its cricket team after entering the Wrigley Schools Cricket Tournament for the first time. The school beat 15 other teams in the first round which was held at Murton Cricket Club.

From there they went to the County final in July at the County Ground in Chester-le-Street. The weather was gloriously sunny, the team played really well and by lunch-time knew they were through to the regional finals playing teams from Cumbria and Northumberland.

Eventually the team came 10th out of 120 teams from all over the region, all players receiving a free T-shirt, cap and chewing gum.

The cricket team also represented the school in the Millennium Youth Games at Maiden Castle, Durham, in June.

Mrs Best, headteacher at the school, said: "This has been a truly wonderful year of sporting achievements for South Hetton School.

"It is due to the enthusiasm, hard work and talent of our teams and the parents and staff who coach them."