BUDMOUTH boys had a successful day at the County Championships when both the under-13s and under-19s won their respected age groups.

The competition has provided an opportunity for the ever-improving youth of Dorset to showcase their ability – and the Budmouth teams did just that.

While a strong performance by the boys’ under-16s and girls’ under-13s was ultimately in vein, the girls’ under-16s can take the merry trip to the zone finals in Plymouth alongside their fellow victors.

All Saints, Budmouth and Wey Valley sent 11 teams between them in the hope of proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in Dorset.

The Budmouth under-19 boys’ quartet of Tom Cherry, Sam Millar, Brad Webb and George Morrissey were the first to taste success when faced with the task of toppling reigning titleholders, Canford School.

With four rounds beckoning, it was crucial to get off to a good start. Webb, Cherry and Millar did just that when they won the opening round 3-1.

One cliff-hanger after another ensured this final was one to remember, but when Millar came back from 8-6 down in the final leg to take it 11-9, the boys could finally celebrate a well-deserved trip to the West Country.

While the under-16s boasted both a first and B team in the knockout stages, there was no title for them this year.

The team of Ben Graham, Brad Burroughs, Moses Lewis and James Green reached the quarter-finals, but they could do little as they were outclassed by a very strong QE Wimborne team.

QE then went on to meet the Budmouth under-16s B team of Jamie Blair, Will Jolliffe, Ethan Gear and Louie James in the semi-finals.

Much like the previous round, the team from Wimborne swept all before them as they beat both Budmouth and then Bournemouth School for Boys in the final.

In the under-13 event, the quartet of Eddie Knell, Tom Lydford, Dan Henman and Ollie James were next to take proceedings all the way to the dying embers of the final.

BSB once again proved a worthy force but, subsequently, couldn’t claim the victory. With the score at 2-2, brave wins by Lydford and James meant that, according to the rules of the competition, they were victors.

The girls’ event welcomed teams from Talbot Heath, Bournemouth School for Girls and Wey Valley. An inexperienced group of Edith Dedman, Jasmine Abel and Aimie Mait-land were equally as geared up as the rest.

The girls’ under-13s’ event was dominated by Katie Holt, who is ranked in the top 10 in England, and she blew away the competition to give Bournemouth School for Girls a simple victory.

The under-16 Budmouth girls, in contrast, were more experienced and went into the competition in pursuit of retaining their title.

A stroll through the early rounds and Wey Valley provided stern final opposition.

With great support from Harriet Pullen and Saffy Taylor-Sprakes, the girls once again qualified for the zone finals.