Friday Headlines
the weekly newsletter from EHS
U14 Netballers Through to National Finals!
02 February 2024
Last weekend our U14 Netball team competed in the Regional Schools Netball Tournament at Phoenix Collegiate School in West Bromwich. The competition featured the best schools in the West Midlands, each having won their respective county rounds.
Our first game was against Bromsgrove School and the game got off to a flying start with both teams going goal-for-goal. However, due to a few unforced errors on our part, we narrowly lost the game by 6 goals to 8 but managed to secure a crucial 1 point for coming within 2 of the opposition’s score.
The team managed to re-group, showing real strength in character to overcome a disappointing start and take control of our performance. Spirits were high and we went on to beat Newcastle under Lyme 12-2; St Mary’s RC 10-8; Thomas Telford 16-5 and Queen Mary’s Grammar school 10-6.
The final group game arrived and it was against Rugby School; both teams were battling for the elusive second place in the group to ensure semi-final qualification. EHS needed a draw or a win (thanks to the crucial point secured earlier against Bromsgrove School): a loss would have meant Rugby qualified and EHS were knocked out. As you can imagine, the game was very tense and pulses were racing. Rugby School were dominant in the first half, going 3 goals up, but Team EHS were not going down without a fight. We somehow managed to dig deep and pull back the lead, meaning the game ended 6-6, enough to secure our position in the semi-finals!
The semi-final came and as runners up of Group A, we now had to face King’s Worcester, the leaders of Group B. This game was crucial; win and we would qualify for national finals, lose and we would be going home empty handed. Team EHS played the game of their lives, forcing turnovers in defence and playing smart, controlled netball in attack. We took the game 14-10, meaning we had secured a place in National Finals as one of the two teams to represent the West Midlands.
EHS last qualified for National finals in 1997 and so this achievement is simply outstanding. We will now go on to face the best schools in the country on Sunday 17 March and are looking forward to our preparations over the next few weeks.
Many congratulations to Jemima H, Isla B, Anaya M, Polly B, Olivia W, Luccia B, Cora B, Layla J, Anaiya P and Aniya S.
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