We had a fantastic start to the season with an exciting pre-season of friendly fixtures played against Severn Stars, Hucclecote Netball and Wrekin College squads. We had 17 teams and were delighted that all pupils that selected netball as their games option were able to represent College.

Some particular highlights included an exciting U14A match against Severn Stars. This game went down to the wire with College nipping in a final goal to secure a 30-29 goal victory. We enjoyed other exhilarating matches such as our U15Bs clinching the win against Cheltenham Ladies’ College by one goal and our senior 4th team also securing victory by one goal against Tudor Hall School.

Our U16s qualified for Regional Finals at the National Schools Championships and enjoyed an overnight stay in Bournemouth. They had a challenging group, including Millfield School and Redmaids’ High School, but played some exceptional netball. Our U16s only lost to the eventual regional winners Millfield by four goals (our biggest loss of the tournament), showcasing how competitive our squad was.

In March, our 1st team met Malvern College in the annual charity match. We knew it was going to be an exciting game complete with 800 chairs surrounding the show court and being live streamed by Nexgen. The starting line-up was captain Poppy Dillon, Alice Tomblin, Zoe Cripwell, vice captain Min Fletcher, Alice Dawson, Hebe Heynes and Pia Nichol.

Malvern had the first centre pass but with an immediate tip by Hebe, College were clinical and took it to goal. There was an immediate roar in the sports centre, showing the fantastic support from the College community. College went on to score a further four goals with some excellent shooter to shooter connections from Poppy and Alice to get close to the post. College had an outstanding defensive quarter, forcing the error and keeping Malvern high up the court. At the end of the first quarter College were leading by two goals.

The line-up remained the same for the second quarter although Malvern made some changes to try to disrupt our style of play. Utilising the new roll-on subs rule, Autumn Conner was then injected into the WA role to provide clinical attacking play. Down the defensive end, Jessica Heynes came on to pick up ball from a defensive fly and cause confusion to the ball carriers. This was a highly pressurised quarter with the score margin closing, but College still leading by one goal.

Tensions remained high and we began to see players engaging on the body to compete for the ball. Malvern went level with College for the first time just as Hebe went down on her ankle, unable to continue. The score was 15- 15. The squad had prepared for a range of scenarios so the change for Pia to go into GD, with Jessica at GK was a familiar scene. In addition, an excellent entry from Tula Leach-Herrero evidenced the depth of this team, with the ability to change player connections and still maintain high quality attacking play. Alice Dawson remained an ongoing threat both defensively but also with some outstanding attacking drives to the transverse line. At the end of the third quarter College had maintained their lead.

The final quarter was now a question of belief, and a reminder to always attack the goal. Rebounds and interceptions became a regular feature at both ends but College were still maintaining a short lead. Min came back into the centre role with Zoe at WA to give a final attacking push. The crowd were off their seats and roaring at every goal that went through the net and the atmosphere in our beautiful sports centre was electric. The determination from both teams was evident, but College held their nerve and went up one final gear to win the game by two goals, 25-23. We were proud to raise £3,500 for the College charity National Star.

A busy final week in the netball calendar saw the return of the annual netball House Pots. There was some exceptional netball on display and all matches were played in great competitive spirits. The competitions were closely fought to the end with Westal triumphant in the senior competition and Queen’s winning the junior competition.

Another brilliant event saw the mixed staff VII take on the 1st VII girls. It was an exciting match which was a tightly fought game of end-to-end netball with the staff finishing victorious.

A huge thank you for 1st VII captain Poppy and vice captain Min, who led their team brilliantly over the season and were superb role models.

Full Colours: Poppy Dillon and Min Fletcher
Half Colours: Hebe Heynes, Alice Dawson, Jessica Heynes, Autumn Conner, Alice Tomblin

Mrs Kate Mears