U14 Girls Win Lea Valley Netball Tournament

Haileybury’s sporting triumphs continued last week when our U14 A squad were victorious in the Lea Valley Netball Tournament, winning all five of their matches in the process.

Coach Emma Webdale explains: The opening game against Presdales got off to a slow start, the girls finding themselves 3-1 down after five minutes. Then suddenly the whole team seemed to receive an injection of energy and enthusiasm: they managed to turn the match around and won by 6-3. After this, they were unstoppable, romping home with a 12-0 result against Cheshunt before facing Broxbourne A, a team boasting three good club players, one of whom plays at County level. Even so they were no match against the Haileybury side who brought the game to a close with a 5-2 win.

The semi-final opponents were John Warner, finalists in the National Schools’ Netball competition. However, the Haileyburians rose to the occasion, their attacks moving fluidly down the court while brilliant interceptions from the excellent defence ensured an astounding victory of 9-4. With five club players (one in the Regional team), Goff’s appeared to be the favourites in the final, and it was certainly a tough game. By now, though, the Haileybury team had a shared determination and focus. Once again, positive attacking play coupled with stubborn defence guaranteed success and they beat Goff’s 5-3.

Players of the tournament were Hollie Newton (M) and captain Jade Logue (H) but credit must go to the whole team: the agility and accuracy of Jemima Willgoss (Alb), Isabelle Story (C) and Emily Sanders (Alb) together with resolute defence from Sara Titchen (H), Isabel Stibbs (M), Nina Mansbridge (M) and Sophia Roberts (Alb).

The B team also had an excellent afternoon of netball, winning their first matches and finishing the tournament in second place with wins against Sele (2-1) and Sheredes (7-2) and draws against St Mary’s (1-1) and Chauncy (3-3).