U19 Netball Team Through to National Finals

The Under 19 squad secured its place to represent the region after beating teams from North, South, East and West Yorkshire in the regional round of the tournament held last weekend at the Harrogate independent school.

In the morning session, the home team got off to a flying start by beating Hymers College, Hull, 13-3. But in the next game they suffered a 11-7 loss against Greenhead College, Huddersfield. However, they dusted themselves off for the next two matches and beat both Silverdale School, Sheffield and Wyke College, Hull by the same score line, 16-4.

After lunch, just three schools – including Harrogate’s St Aidan’s - stood in the way of Ashville being in the finals. In the first, they beat the Grammar School at Leeds 10-8, which was followed by a comfortable 14-5 victory over Sheffield High School.

The last game, against local rivals St Aidan’s, would decide which of the two Harrogate teams would qualify for the finals. After an incredibly close-fought game, the final score was 12-10 in Ashville’s favour.

Sally Ward, Ashville College’s Head of Girls Sports, said: “This was the toughest tournament the girls have ever competed in. All the teams played to an incredibly high level and it was superb entrainment for the army of spectators. The final game against St Aidan’s was a real nail-biter. It could have gone either way, but luckily for us we took a lead at half-time and managed to maintain it through to the end. We are under no illusions to just how tough the finals will be and the girls know they have to raise their game even higher if they are to succeed.”

Ashville’s Under 16 Netball team were also in action on the day, again hoping for a place in the national finals. Out of the seven games they played, they won three, drew one and lost three, resulting in them finishing in fifth place.

Ms Ward added: “We knew the competition would be tough and the U16 team should be very proud of their achievement.”           

The Ashville U19 team will be heading to Basilson, Essex, on Saturday, March 17, for the national finals.

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