Hampshire's magnificent seven struck gold on the final day of the BAA Millennium Youth Games at the Southampton Sports Centre yesterday.

Their super septet of Sophia Hazell, Rachel Crowther, Matthew Day, Matt Marlow, Vicky Anderson, Chris Knowles and Chris Miller provided the midas touch in the tennis by winning gold for Hampshire.

It was a wonderful achievement by the Rushmoor boys and girls who fought off competition from 52 other teams nationwide to make it a super Sunday for the county.

A smiling Hampshire tennis coach Tony Prior beamed: "I have to admit that before the event started I didn't believe that they could win it.

"I told them on Thursday that if they could reach the finals then I would be delighted. But they've surpassed even my wildest dreams. All the players have played so well together at the right time.

"It has been quite amazing to see how a group of 13-year-olds can raise their game in such a pressure situation such as today. I'm so delighted for them - they really have played out of their skins."

Hampshire team manager Peter Barry added: "As Tony has already said it was a fantastic achievement by those boys and girls.

"But Hampshire has also excelled in other disciplines as well. The girls tag rugby team has done particularly well. They had not seen a rugby ball six months ago yet they managed to reach the semi-finals.

"Both the boys and girls hockey sides made it to the finals and the netball team also exceeded all expectations, while the MLD (moderate learning difficulty) football team only just missed out on a final place."

Summing up a highly-successful three days at the BAA Millennium Youth Games, Barry said: "Hampshire should be proud of its young sporting embassadors.

"The professionalism of the coaches allied with the commitment of the competitors has been outstanding. They're a real credit to Hampshire."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.