TABLE TENNIS players from Oakbank School have take fourth place in the National championships.

The Under-13s girls team swept aside some of the best teams in the country to reach the finals of the English Schools Table Tennis Association competition held at Hinkley in Leicestershire last weekend.

A total of 470 teams from across the country entered the competition which started last September.

The Oakbank girls, Mary Fuller, Laura Mitchell, Sammyjo McLarnon and Amy Tomlin won the West Yorkshire final, and were crowned North of England Champions on their way to the final.

Mary Fuller, who was recently ranked England No1 at her age group, enjoyed a superb day at the competition winning all six sets.

Laura Mitchell followed up by winning two of her sets.

Sammyjo McLarnon and Amy Tomlin went close in several sets, losing on the fifth game a number of times and gained tremendous experience.

"Their performance overall was marvellous, all four girls have another season in this age group and to come away with fourth place against older teams was remarkable.

"They have gained a lot of experience which will be a great benefit in future competitions.

"They lost four matches in close competitions, 8-11, 9-11, 10-12 and 11-13 and if just two of those games had gone their way they would have finished second overall," said coach Hans Soova.

Mary Fuller has also been selected to go to Hungary for five days training and competition at the Hungarian table tennis academy. She has also reached the finals of the national table tennis championships which are to be held at Crystal Palace in London next month.

n Picture shows Oakbank School's table-tennis champs: from left, Mary Fuller, Laura Mitchell, Sammyjo McLarnon and Amy Tomlin.