CONVENT enjoyed their best campaign in living memory after winning the Premier Division title in the Bury Ladies Netball League.

The women were promoted back to the top tier last year after suffering relegation in 2015.

But far from battling for survival, they produced a brand of strong, athletic and versatile netball that took the division by storm.

Club spokesman Kathy Barber said: "After a long season and some nail-biting matches, Convent have won the Premier Division possibly for the first time in the team's history.

"Janet Murray, who runs the team, joined in the late 1970s as a schoolgirl and does not remember the team winning the league in this era.

"The current trophy dates back to 1982 and certainly Convent's name has not appeared on it until this season.

"To win the title this year after only just bouncing back from relegation was a fantastic achievement."

While the title was won thanks to a big team effort, 16-year-old Emily Maher earned special praise from her team-mates after earning the play-of-the-season trophy.