At last an England side has been successful in a major tournament - and it is all thanks to pupils from the St Ivo School.

Their super-talented Under 14 girls football team shone when representing their country in the British Isles Cup last week.

The St Ivo stars won all three of their matches at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall to lift the Rod Houston Cup, beating opposition from three different countries along the way.

Proud team manager Lisa Trigg said: “I have such deep pride at what the girls have achieved.

“They all did brilliantly to play at such a high standard throughout the tournament and their success is reward for all the hard work they have put in.”

St Ivo, who are coached by Darren Marjoram, launched their challenge with an 8-0 rout of Welsh team Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

Hot-shot Lucy O’Brien hit half of the goals with Zoe Barratt and Elle Jefferson adding two apiece.

They saw off eventual runners-up, Ursuline College, of Ireland, in their second outing. O’Brien made an early breakthrough and that proved to be the only goal of a match lauded for its quality by English Schools’ Football Association officials.

And St Ivo completed their terrific showing by beating a familiar set of opponents in their final match.

O’Brien hit a hat-trick and Barratt also found the net in a 4-0 success against Thomas Telford School.

St Ivo beat Thomas Telford in the final when becoming national champions at Under 13 level last season, while the Shropshire school gained revenge at Under 14 level.

Ellie Brown was selected as the St Ivo coaches’ player-of-the-tournament for her performance and leadership.

St Ivo headteacher Sam Griffin said; “We are all incredibly proud of the girls and I must also thank Lisa, as none of this success would have been possible without her tireless work.”

The school have thanked The Taproom, Lancaster Insurance and Hyperion Auctions for their backing in the British Isles Cup.

St Ivo squad: Sophie Marjoram (captain), Aimee Best (vice captain), Zoe Barratt, Ellie Brown, Sasha Brown, Ellen Bullin, Alice Claridge, Tia Everdell, Elle Jefferson, Caitlin McGeown, Lauren Mellors, Lucy O’Brien, Abby Townsend, Nell Webber.