Haslingden Primary School had to settle for fourth place as they surrendered their crown in the seventh National Mini Handball Festival.

The two times winners and defending champions were well beaten by a strong Powerstock side who went on to win the title.

The Bridport school team beat Haslingden County Primary 11-2 in the semi final and then beat Wirral in the final.

The two day competition attracted a total of 11 teams from across the country who competed for the J B Rowland Trophy who was the founder and chairman of the Haslingden based British Handball Association.

St Andrews entered two teams in to the competition with host school Haslingden County Primary entering just one team this year.

Other teams to take part were Helmshore Primary School with Bishop Road travelling up from Bristol.

Bolton were well represented in the competition with Red Lane, Moorgate and St Brendan's all taking part.

The teams were split in to two leagues with Haslingden County Primary, Powerstock, St Andrews and the Wirral team all making it through to the semi finals.

Powerstock proved to be just too strong for the defending champions and ran out 11-2 winners to book their place in the final.

Hopes of a local team reaching the final were dashed when Wirral beat St Andrews in the second semi final clash.

The Saints and Haslingden battled it out for local pride in the third and fourth place play-off which St Andrew's won 6-1.

However, there was some good news for Haslingden County Primary when Phillip Foulds was named in the tournament's All Stars team along with Page Garvey of Helmshore Primary School.

The Haslingden team also included Rebecca Bolton, David McKenna, Josh Rawlinson, Nathan Millington, Fern Breslin, Ben Cockerall and Andy Durrant.