Third time lucky for Rotherham's new national table tennis champion

The 13-year-old and England number one justified her top seeding to win the U-13 Girls singles at the PG Mutual U10-U13 National Championships.

And it was third time lucky for the Wickersley School pupil, making up for defeats in the U11 final in 2016 and the U12 final last year.

“I'm very happy,” said Amy. “I've been training and working hard and it's definitely the best result I've had in table tennis.

“I was confident but nervous at the same time because this year I was first seed, so I had a bit of pressure.”

Amy made her way through group and knockout stages, holding off a determined challenge from U12 champion Anna Green in the semi-final which she won 3-1 (8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 16-14).

That put her into the final against eighth seed Scarlett Anders, and it was a dominant performance as Marriott won 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-4).

In the doubles, Amy and Isabelle Lacorte were beaten 3-1 in the semi-finals by Niamh Scarborough and Anna Green, who went on to win silver.

Amy, who plays for Rotherham Scorpions, started out when she was eight and showed her natural talent from the off as part of coach Mick Barlow's successful set-up at Bramley Sunnyside Primary School.

She became national number one earlier this summer, reward for many years of dedication and practice.

Amy trains four a times a week, including three sessions a week at the England Talent Development Centre in Nottingham.

She is also part of the England U13s training squad.