HUNDREDS of children descended on Harewood College to take part in the final of the Sainsbury’s School Games table tennis competition.

In total, 14 schools from across Dorset entered students in the competition, which was played out in the Bournemouth school’s Roy Moore sports hall.

The participants were cheered on the sidelines by England table tennis stars Matt Ware and David McBeath.

Matt and David also treated the young players to a demonstration before the competition began which gave the players inspiration for the day ahead.

Young leaders and ambassadors from Harwood College, Avonbourne and St Edwards School also helped out to make the day a success.

Executive headteacher of Harewood College, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “We were honoured to play host to such a prestigious sports event.

“It was amazing to see the sports hall filled with hundreds of young people playing table tennis at such an amazingly high level.

“We were also thrilled to welcome England stars Matt Ware and David McBeath who proved to be a real inspiration to all the competitors.”

The competition was split into two age groups – under-12s and under-14s. Each school team played two-a-side challenges in singles and doubles matches across 24 table tennis tables, supplied by Harewood College.

Players competed in a best of five games with each player having to win by two clear points.

James Lewis, Dorset Development Coach for the England Table Tennis Association, said: “Skilled players can make the ball travel as fast as 70 miles per hour making the sport a fast paced and exciting game to watch and play.

“Everyone who was at Harewood College for the tournament was entertained by some exceptional matches.”

Winners of the under 12s boys category were the hosts, Harewood College and in the girls category it was Wey Valley School from Weymouth.

All Saints School from Wey-mouth were the winners of the under-14 girls and in the under-14 boys, Queen Elizabeth School from Wimborne were victors.