HOCKEY player extra-ordinaire Emma Jane Smith was voted the winner of the Cornish Times Senior Sports Personality of the Year. Emma received her award at the Nebula Hotel, Liskeard, on Thursday from last year's winner and Head of PE at Liskeard Community School Roger Quaintance.

Atrocious weather conditions had caused the organisers anxiety as reports of waterlogged roads and numerous problems brought on by heavy rain were constantly being issued by TV and radio.

But any thoughts of a reduced turn-out due to conditions quickly evaporated as every award winner was present or represented.

Cornish Times general manager Jan Eagle said that the competition had again been well supported and praised the commitment and achievement of those sports people present for the special evening.

Last year's senior Sports Personality Roger Quaintance who had been introduced by Mrs Eagle was able to relate to many of the award winners saying that he knew them personally through Liskeard School. And of the younger winners present he looked forward to meeting them in a couple of years time.

Voting in many cases had been close and whilst Emma was indeed a popular senior winner there was good support for joint runners-up Vicki Eames (tennis) and Peter Mutton (darts).

Junior award winners were: winner, Liam Storey tennis, represented by his sister Natalie as he is now away at a tennis academy; runners-up, Myles Hutchins (football) and Amy Edwards (judo).

Special award - winner, Sarah Jayne Barrett (athletics); r-ups, Tamsyn Hutchings (eventing); Wayne Hutchings (darts).