ELY King s School sixth former, Joanna Davison, 18, became possibly the first Queen s Scholar in history to win the Hoop Trundle for two successive years. Joanna was cheered on by a large crowd of pupils, families and guests as she crossed the finishing l

ELY King's School sixth former, Joanna Davison, 18, became possibly the first Queen's Scholar in history to win the Hoop Trundle for two successive years.

Joanna was cheered on by a large crowd of pupils, families and guests as she crossed the finishing line.

Duncan Muil, 18, joint head of school, scored victory in the King's Scholars' race.

The scholars, wearing their scarlet gowns, bowled traditional wooden hoops around a 75-yard course by the south door of Ely Cathedral.

This academic year, King's acknowledged the success of its overseas pupils and created two International Scholars.

Wearing their distinctive black gowns trimmed with red, Inga Meladze from Russia and Xizhou Liu from China wrote their own mention in the school's history as the first International Scholars to take part in the Hoop Trundle.

The trundle commemorates the re-founding of The King's School Ely by Henry VIII in 1541. Having dissolved Ely monastery, which had educated children for centuries, he gave the school its first royal charter and established the King's Scholars (boys). One of the privileges he allowed them was to play games, including the bowling of hoops, in the Cathedral precincts.

In 1970 the school admitted girls for the first time in its 1,000-year history, and three years later the King's Scholars were joined by Queen's Scholars (girls) at the request of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Ely.

Pupils are chosen as scholars for their academic achievement prior to entry into the sixth form. They become members of the Cathedral Foundation and also qualify for other privileges during their sixth form years.

The two winners hold commemorative wooden tankards for a year. Presentations were made by the Deputy Mayor of Ely, Cllr Sheila Friend-Smith.