TGGS Netball Team placed 5th best school in the whole of England !!

Congratulations to our U16 Netball Team who represented the Southwest at the National Schools Finals on Saturday. There were 18 schools in their age group, and they had to play 8 of them in their group. The team got off to a rocky start, losing 18 goals to 13 to Yarm School. However, they were soon into their usual excellent form in the second game beating St Catherine's School 8-6. This was a very challenging game with some excellent defensive play by Millie White at GD and Molly Gibbs at GK, who intercepted the ball on many occasions, preventing the opposition from scoring. 

The team continued on their winning streak for game 3 and were the only team to beat Hurstpierpoint School in the first round, winning convincingly 15 goals to 11. Captain, Lily Rutland (GA), and Imogen Holter (GS), worked exceptionally well together in the circle throughout the tournament, communicating to each other and making themselves available repeatedly for every pass, followed by accurate shots from a variety of distances. 

Game 4 was against Cheadle Hulme and was goal for goal throughout. The centre court players, Claudia Lofthouse (C), Tilly Hindley (WD) and Zoe Attwood (WA), had to dig deep attacking and defending to gain and keep possession of the ball in this extremely close game which could have gone either way. The final score was a fair representation of the game with a draw of 12 - 12.

The next 2 games were defeats 14-12 to Bromsgrove and then 14-10 to Brentwood.

The team did not let this stop them from playing with determination against their next opposition (Wakefield Girls' High School), who despite a very physical game they beat them, convincingly, 13 goals to 5. The whole day was incredibly challenging physically and yet going into game 8 the team remained positive and committed which resulted in a 11-3 win against Stamford High School.

The team were placed 4^th at the end of the group round which had previously meant that this would be the end of the tournament, as only the top two teams go through to the final. However, this year England Netball added a new addition to the competition, The National Schools Cup with an aim 'to add more competitive games and more opportunities to win.'

The Team then had to play 2 more games. Despite having played top level, highly skilled netball all day, they somehow found the energy to continue their successes. Charlotte Bruce worked hard as WA opening up space and feeding well to the shooters. 

The final result was that our U16 Netball Team won the National Schools Cup and are placed 5^th in the whole of England. This is an exceptional achievement and we are very proud of all of them, and they should all be very proud of themselves.

I want to thank Nelly Stock and Charlotte Bruce for their support for the team throughout. Their positivity, kindness and words of encouragement throughout were extremely valuable and great qualities to have. Well done to you both.

I would also like to thank the parents for all your support with this event, we couldn't do it without you. Finally, thanks to Mrs Greaves for giving up her time, it is very much appreciated !!