TWO Preston colleges will be hoping to carry on their success on the sports field into the new year.

Three of Cardinal Newman College's sports teams scooped major cups last year.

The netball team were crowned North West champions, and that feat was emulated by the basketball team and the boys' hockey team. All three teams will now represent the North West in the National finals.

The college also has two internationals in Sam Sinclair who plays for the England hockey team and Ben Wilkinson who plays volleyball for England at under 21 level and has recently returned from touring abroad with the full England team.

The basketball team won every game, beating Runshaw, West Cumbria, Blackpool & Fylde and Burnley colleges in the process. They are also through to the last 32 in the English Schools under 18 competition.

The boys' hockey team surpassed even that, after they disposed of Runshaw, Preston, Nelson & Colne, Ridge Danyers (Cheshire), Yale (N. Wales), and South Trafford colleges -- scoring 25 goals and conceding none!

The girls' hockey team are also keen not to get left behind - they were fourth in the recent North West Colleges championship, and last year they were eighth in the National Plate Cup Competition.

Meanwhile Runshaw College's five-a-side football team are through the national championship finals after winning the regional final last month.