FURNESS are Cumbria’s sporting kings and queens after victory at the Cumbria School Games.

After agonisingly missing out on the overall title in Carlisle for the past two years, the primary and secondary school youngsters took the prize this time round.

Wins in the Tri-Golf for both Victoria Academy teams – at Year 3/4 and 5/6 levels – added to the unprecedented gymnastics dominance of Lindal and Marton and Yarlside and athletics success of Askam Village School and Holy Family earlier in the year propelled them into first place.

Close to 700 children from Cumbria’s six districts – Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden, Furness and South Lakes – battled it out on the final day of competition in Carlisle, with Furness leading ahead of the day’s events.

The sun came out as pupils from 90 schools took part in tennis, orienteering, hockey and many other sports across Carlisle.

Victoria made it a hat-trick of county titles for their dominant golfers, who went to the games as district champions and added two more Cumbria crowns to their collection.

They were the only Furness winners on the day, but solid displays all round – combined with the earlier gymnastics successes – meant the team could not be beaten at the top.

Dane Ghyll were second in the High Five netball, with Dowdales runners-up in the Year 7 netball.

There were also second places for the Holy Family orienteering squad and the St Bernard’s inclusive table tennis team. St bernard’s also too third at boccia to complete the Furness podium places.

Furness school games organiser Helen Wright, for whom it was a last Cumbria School Games before leaving the post, was thrilled to go out on a high.

She said: “Walking into the closing ceremony, I heard many schools talk of second and third places, but some schools had no idea of their results so it was an unknown where we would place.

“In a tense closing ceremony where all results were read out, it seemed that Eden or Carlisle would emerge victorious, but Furness were the most consistent district and, after a long build-up and nervous wait, were announced as winners.

“Myself and and no doubt all the pupils and staff attending were on a real high as we shared the victory as a team.”

As well as the children competing, there were young leaders from Ulverston Victoria, Dowdales and Furness Academy who led the Tri-Golf event.

The Cumbria School Games trophy will go on a tour of Furness so that all pupils will have the opportunity to see the trophy and have their photograph taken with it.

It will start at Victoria Academy tomorrow, home of the two winning golf teams.

Wright added: “Every single participant who attended and has taken part in School Games events over the years contributed to the Furness victory.

“I am so proud of Team Furness and feel it was a fitting final School Games for me. The hard work put in by all the pupils, staff and coaches has really paid off.

“It was the highlight of my career in school sport and it was amazing to be a part of such an awesome, winning district.”

As well as Furness wins, the Grange tennis team took victory in the Year 3/4 event for South Lakes, with Windermere St Martin and St Mary’s runners-up in the Quicksticks hockey.

Final Standings: 1. Furness; 2. Eden; 3. Carlisle; 4. Allerdale; 5. South Lakes; 6. Copeland.