Beaconhurst girls’ tennis squad netted second place in the Northern final of the British Tennis Schools Championship.

The squad – which included Andy Murray’s 12-year-old cousin Cora Erskine – were named runners-up following the North Britain final of the prestigious Aegon team tennis championship held in Sunderland.

The girls won almost every match in their first round beating Sedbergh School in Cumbria by 10 games to two.

They then lost to Preston’s Kirkham Grammar School in the final round of the annual competition.

Beaconhurst’s director of sport Judith Ramsay was pleased with their performance particularly since they have another year in their current Year 10 age group.

The team also played without one of their usual squad members, Maia Montgomerie, who was out through injury.

Ms Ramsay said: “It was a great day of tennis and the girls all worked really hard.

“Cora stepped up to cover for Maia and played well in what is a really tough competition.

“I’m delighted with how they performed to win second place in the final and they’ll keep on training hard for further competitions to come.”

The girls made it to the North Britain final after winning the Scottish final of the tournament in September.

In the first round of the final, captain Jodie McLelland, 14, won her games decisively 6-0 as did 13-year-old Abbie Kerr.

Kirsty Robertson, 13, won her game 6-1 before Cora Erskine lost 2-6.

Cora then partnered with Jodie for the first doubles match where the girls won their games 6-2. Meanwhile Kirsty and Abbie won their doubles match 6-1.

In the final match of the contest, each of the girls lost to their counterparts from winners Kirkham Grammar School during the singles part of the tournament.

However, Abbie and Kirsty won their doubles match by seven games to five.

Ms Ramsay added: “I’m really proud of how far the girls got in the competition – to be named runner-ups at the North Britain stage is just fantastic and they are a real credit to the school.

“The girls made it all the way to the national final last year when they played as part of the Year 8 contest.

“It’s been a little tougher this year as they have moved up to the Year 10 section but I think they have proved themselves equal to the task and will have another chance to do well next year so we’ll be looking forward to that.”