Greenbank Preparatory School’s hat-trick heroes have won the Independent Schools’ Association’s northern regional water polo championships for the third consecutive year.

The top primary school in Cheadle Hulme, however, has a squad of superb young swimmers and once again proved just too tough in the water for 16 other teams from across the region.

Greenbank cruised through the round robin series and then beat Forest Park 2-1 in the semi-final courtesy of goals from midfield playmaker Claudia Freeman with a fierce shot from distance and the powerhouse Isaac Hughes.

Clinical finisher Hughes was then on hand to add another two goals as they beat Prenton from the Wirral 2-1 in a nailbiting final.

Captain Abdul Alhaik was resilient in nets, shieldied by the uncompromising Dylan Sime.

Other key players all pictured were: Leah Braine, Matilda Briggs, Ben Cross, Madison Duckett, Aurelia Duckworth, Jamie Herbert, Oliver Jones, Diya Mehta, Nia McKiernon, Joel Sutton and Jude Wood.

Coach Adam Dyson said: “I’d like to take some credit, but it’s down to our brilliant boys and girls.

“They are very fit, very competitive and have a wonderful team spirit and we just keep confounding the opposition.”