Netball Champions Roll onto National Finals
Penryn College’s U16 Netball team have made
history, by becoming the schools first ever team to qualify for the National
Netball finals in Liverpool next month. The girls added the South West title to
their county crown in Bournemouth and will look to make it a clean sweep on
March 14th.
There was another first, as the U14 team had also qualified, meaning they joined their U16 school mates for the trip, after qualifying as runners up from their county competition. The U14’s competed well on the day winning two of their group matches, but they didn’t make it through. It was a fine achievement by the girls to reach the finals and will have be good experience for future competitions.
It was a big day for the U16 team though, who have been crowned county champions on the last five occasions, but had never progressed past this stage. They went into the tournament as one of the favourites and would have been eager to finally make it to the National finals.
The girls played six matches in their group against Taunton School, Marlborough College, Clifton College, West Buckland and Dean Close were all beaten by the Penryn team, whilst they drew with Talbot Heath, meaning that qualified for the knockout stages.
Qualifying as group winners, the girls would face host school Bournemouth in the semi-finals. It was a tense affair and went to extra time, with the Penryn girls opponents roared on by the home crowd. Penryn held firm though and progressed to the final. The final promised to be a tough assignment against another much fancied team, in the shape of Millfield School. The girls though produced their best performance of the day to win 7-4 as they were crowned South West Champions and progressed to the National Finals.
Coach on the day and teacher at Penryn College, Angie Walker, was delighted with the girls attitude and their displays on the day. “It’s an amazing achievement from both team to make it here, so for one to win it, is fantastic for the school”, said Mrs Walker. “The girls positivity and incredible teamwork got them here and was a massive factor in getting them the win, as well as some excellent Netball being played”, she added. The team travel to Liverpool on Saturday March 14th to compete for the National title.
There was another first, as the U14 team had also qualified, meaning they joined their U16 school mates for the trip, after qualifying as runners up from their county competition. The U14’s competed well on the day winning two of their group matches, but they didn’t make it through. It was a fine achievement by the girls to reach the finals and will have be good experience for future competitions.
It was a big day for the U16 team though, who have been crowned county champions on the last five occasions, but had never progressed past this stage. They went into the tournament as one of the favourites and would have been eager to finally make it to the National finals.
The girls played six matches in their group against Taunton School, Marlborough College, Clifton College, West Buckland and Dean Close were all beaten by the Penryn team, whilst they drew with Talbot Heath, meaning that qualified for the knockout stages.
Qualifying as group winners, the girls would face host school Bournemouth in the semi-finals. It was a tense affair and went to extra time, with the Penryn girls opponents roared on by the home crowd. Penryn held firm though and progressed to the final. The final promised to be a tough assignment against another much fancied team, in the shape of Millfield School. The girls though produced their best performance of the day to win 7-4 as they were crowned South West Champions and progressed to the National Finals.
Coach on the day and teacher at Penryn College, Angie Walker, was delighted with the girls attitude and their displays on the day. “It’s an amazing achievement from both team to make it here, so for one to win it, is fantastic for the school”, said Mrs Walker. “The girls positivity and incredible teamwork got them here and was a massive factor in getting them the win, as well as some excellent Netball being played”, she added. The team travel to Liverpool on Saturday March 14th to compete for the National title.
