Saints celebrate netball treble

The year 10 girls paved the way in early March before the remarkable year seven team won the year eight event two weeks ago and then their own age group to complete the hat-trick on Tuesday, last week.

The double winners did it in fine style too. They played some delightful netball in attack and excellent defending from Katie Matthews and Maria Adegeye ensured that they shipped just two goals throughout the entire competition which culminated in a comfortable defeat of Helenswood in the final. Martina Kelly, Sophie Newell and Andria Histed were inch-perfect with their shooting to apply a gleaming finish to some polished approach play involving Hannah Williams, Camilla Bowles and Dilys Midwinter.

St Richard's also entered a year eight team in that particular age group, which was played on a group basis, and they finished third in the event which attracts schools from outlying areas such as Claverham and Robertsbridge as well as locally.

The year 10 line-up was depleted by the absence of key players but a trio of year nine students filled in with relish, contributing to a fast and fantastic display of netball which outwitted each of their opponents. Despite strong opposition the team of Natalie Kingsley, Sarah Richard, Nicola Pym, Jenny Naylor, Lizzie Histed, Hope Crick, Ashleen Kelly and Sophie White emerged convincing winners in a round-robin competition.

Head of girls' PE Tracy Lucas said: "It was very good, they were very convincing."

They were only denied a clean sweep of all four titles by a staffing shortage which prevented the year nines from taking part in their event, although they are hoping to take on winners Helenswood in a special challenge match at some point.