Southport’s Rhys Davies won gold and silver medals at the Inter-Regional Championships.

The 12-year-old Merchant Taylor’s student was part of the North West region squad which competed against nine other teams from around the country at one of Table Tennis England’s flagship events for up-and-coming players.

He was joined in the squad by Harry Watson of Liverpool, Ben McDonald of Barrow and James Courtney of Sandbach and, after winning their group, they faced South West in the final of the Cadet Boys’ event.

And it was a 3-1 win for the North West. Watson won the opening match against Jamie Blair 3-0 (12-10, 12-10, 11-8), but Davies lost his first match 3-1 to Edan Regan.

Watson & McDonald won the doubles to put North West back in front and Davies sealed gold with a 3-2 (6-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4) win over Blair.

Davies said: “I’m really happy. I didn’t want to bottle it and lose it for the team. You just have to keep your head. It felt good to have the team behind me and I’m really happy we won.”

To complete North West’s dominance, Watson and Davies met in the final of the individual event and it was 14-year-old Watson who claimed the double gold, holding off a determined Davies 3-2 (11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9).

In the girls event , the team which included Daisy Boulton surpassed all expectations by finishing 2nd in their group (they were the lowest ranked) and eventually finishing 4th overall.