NETBALL: TWO SWINDON schools have qualified for the national finals next month. New College and Greendown Community School will represent the South-West in the Under 19 and Under 16 National Finals respectively in Manchester on Saturday March 25.

The former will be looking to improve on their superb achievement of fourth place last year while it will be a new experience for Greendown.

New College won their South West section in style while Greendown finished as runners-up.

Representing Wiltshire, College stormed to victory in the South West Under 19 tournament at Millfield School, Somerset.

A total of 14 teams took part and were divided into two groups of seven.

College dominated were unbeaten throughout the day, their only scare coming in the group round robin game with Exeter College, who took an early advantage.

But College came roaring back to finish as 12-10 victors.

In the semi-finals they encounted the runners up of the other group, Taunton School, winning 15-7.

Against Maynard's School Exeter in the final they led by four goals when their international shooter Chrissy Munro left the court with an ankle injury.

However, College maintained their lead with exceptional shooting from Sarah Bedry to run out 12-8 winners.

"They played very well and I am very proud of them," said spokesperson Sue Harrison.

"New College were strong in attack and the defence, although less experienced at this level, worked very hard to ensure that their opponents were denied many chances.''

RESULTS

Section 1: New College beat Canford School, Wimborne 20-1; beat Truro High School 20-3; beat Ralph Allen School, Bath 14-4; beat Exeter College 12-10; beat Dean Close School, Cheltenham 16-7; beat Millfield School, Street 14-6.

Semi final: New College beat Taunton School, Taunto 15 7.

Final: New College beat Maynards School, Exeter 12-8.

  • New College squad: Sarah Bedry; Chrissy Munro; Lauren Harrison; Sam Dell (c); Amanda Pike; Leanne Richmond; Rachael Hall; Natalie Holt; Vicki Wilson and Laura Barrat.
  • GREENDOWN, the Wiltshire Under 16 champions, won four of their games convincingly in their South West round robin age group.

In the other two they drew against Taunton School, with Leia Moody scoring a crucial goal.

However, the girls were beaten by eventual pool winners St. Peter's School, Exeter.

Greendown went through to the semi-final as runners up and played the winners of the other pool, the Royal High School from Bath, who were coached by current England senior players.

Greendown went into the game as underdogs but won by the odd goal in a nine-goal thriller.

They were unable to repeat the display in the final, losing out to hosts Millfield School, but still went through.

RESULTS

Greendown beat Budehaven School, Cornwall; beat St. Mary's School, Shaftsbury; beat Redlands High School, Bristol; beat Chosen Hill School, Churchdown; drew with Taunton School; lost to St. Peters High School, Exeter.

Semi-final: Greendown beat Royal High School, Bath 5-4.

Final: Greendown lost to Millfield School 4-12.

Greendown squad: Leia Moody; Chelsea Matthews; Natasha Dell; Lauren Rogers; Kerrie Keene; Joanne Green (capt); Naomi Henry, Jess Poole and Danielle Tuck.