Enfield's Denise Payet returned from the Sainsbury’s School Games with a gold and a silver medal.

The 14-year-old Enfield County student helped the England South East squad to secure the team title and reached the final of the individual table tennis singles during three intense days of competition in Manchester.

The team, also featuring Kate Cheer and Isabelle Joubeily, were dealt a blow on the eve of the competition when Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tin-Tin Ho had to withdraw with injury. But despite being a player short they won their group and then saw off Scotland 4-0 in the semi-finals to reach the final against England North West.

And they had to come from behind as North West’s Emily Bolton ended the 100 per cent singles record of Cheer in four sets in the opening match.

Payet and Joubeily beat Beth Farnworth and Amy Hutchings respectively and Payet and Cheer then took the doubles against Bolton & Farnworth, all in four sets.

Payet then mounted a comeback to beat Bolton 3-2 (8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 13-11) and ensure the title stayed in the South East – though none of the girls were a part of last year’s winning line-up.

Payet said: "When Tin-Tin pulled out I think it made us work harder. Obviously we missed her being here but it was nice to win for ourselves and not have to rely on her.

"We all know each other really well and there was a great team spirit. It's a great tournament - the atmosphere and support is really good."

In the individual event, Payet found Northern Ireland’s Rebecca Finn something of a bogey opponent, losing to her in the group stages and again in the final.

The 15-year-old from Belfast came from two sets down and eventually sealed it 3-2 (6-11, 7-11, 13-11, 11-7, 13-11) on her fourth match point.

“I didn’t expect it when I was 2-0 down,” admitted Finn. “I feel beating her in the group did help me – I thought I knew what tactics to use against her and I had the psychological advantage over her.”