They've done it again - Worthing College netballers land national prize

The girls started very well beating RGS Newcastle 19-5, excellent shooting by Betsy and Shelby, great defence by Lauren, Charlotte and Eli, super feeds by Megan and Livi. Next up were Sedbergh who Worthing beat 12-7 followed by a close 10-8 win against Latymer & Upper School.

After a break the Worthing side did not play well in losing 10-12 to Wrekin College and then drew against Hartpury College 12-12.

Coach Tina Price changed the team around with Shelby switching to defence and Livi moving to GA, Grace to centre and Megan to WA in a must-win game against Woodhouse Grove. The team started to play very well, winning the match 14-7 and earning a semi-final place.

The semi-final was against a strong Bromsgrove team but the Worthing College girls were in full flow. They were 6-4 up at half-time and the team pressed on to win the match 15-7 playing great netball throughout the court.

The final was against Hartpury College once again and after a nervy start, a brilliant interception by Shelby and another by Charlotte enabled the attack to feed the ball into Betsy who shot beautifully as she had done all day.

A crucial penalty at half-time scored with ease by Livi meant that Worthing were 6-5 up. The next seven minutes went goal for goal with Eli, Grace and Megan putting extra pressure on the pass in the centre court enabling the defence to turn over the ball once again.

Superb feeding by Livi into Betsy enabled Worthing to get a two-goal cushion with three minutes to go. With the coaches, subs and supporters anxiously encouraging the girls from the side line the Worthing team held on to win 13-11.

Coach Tina Price said: “I am so incredibly proud of the whole squad and how they all worked together to play some superb netball. To win the National Schools title once last year was hard enough, but to win it a second time is an incredible achievement and I am delighted for everyone involved.”

Squad – Shelby Harris (capt), Betsy Glynn, Olivia Miller, Megan Briggs, Grace Ballantyne, Eli Middleton, Phoebe Whitelam, Charlotte Stacey, Lauren Felstead, Eloise Harding, Iona Gardner, Holly Stoner. Head Coach – Tina Price, Assistant Coach – Sarah Briggs.

Applications are now being taken to study at Worthing College and be part of the Netball Academy for next season. See www. Worthing.ac.uk/admissions2020 for more.

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