By Morven P, U14 Netball Captain

On the 30th January 2021, the U14 team travelled to Rainham School, Kent, to play in the Regional National Schools’ Netball Tournament. After a delayed bus ride to the venue (owing to a half-an-hour police road block on the A40!), we still arrived in plenty of time, keen to warm-up. The team were excited to play and have been training hard three times a week after winning the Middlesex National Schools Round in November to qualify for this tournament.

The day started well, winning 9 – 6 against Godolphin and Latymer. We then proceeded to win against Walthamstow Hall scoring 11 goals to their 5, and Coopers’ Coborn 15 – 9. Spirits were high and the processes were working. In the next game we played against Sevenoaks. Sevenoaks started strong, employing a zone defence which NHEHS were not expecting. Although this rattled the team a little in the first half, we came back to draw the second half, but unfortunately that led to our first loss 7 – 11.

After this defeat we regrouped and kept our heads high. Next up we had the Surrey representatives, Putney High School. After a full team performance, with excellent shooting from Imogen H and Jaspreet G, NHEHS took the win: the final score being 11-10. We continued that winning streak, beating Bancroft 16 – 7 in another team performance. A top two finish to go through to Nationals was down to the last match of the day, unbeaten Wimbledon High School. Although we had a strong start, tired legs and some inconsistencies meant this match ended with a loss (7 – 17). Due to this loss, we were placed third and did not make it through to National level.

Despite this, we were incredibly proud of our efforts and finished 3rd in the whole of London and the South East Region.