Bancroft's successful under-19 girls' netball team, who were crowned county champions.

Bancroft’s School triumph in netball competition at Redbridge Sports Centre.

Bancroft’s Girls’ team were in terrific form in the Essex Metropolitan County round of the National Schools’ competition at Redbridge Sports Centre on Sunday, writes Simon Jackson.

Bancroft’s under-19 and under-14 teams produced a series of sublime displays to win 13 of their 14 games to book their place in the regional finals, which will be decided at Lady Eleanor Holles School, Middlesex, in February.

The under-19s led the way as they swept aside their opponents to win all seven of their games to be crowned Essex Metropolitan County Champions.

The younger team narrowly missed out on completing a notable double as they finished runners-up on goal difference in the under-14 category, after winning six of their seven games.

The under-19s capped a series of tenacious displays on the court when beating last years’ National Schools’ winners Barking Abbey by a single goal to secure a 13-12 victory. Both Bancroft’s and Barking Abbey teams had seen a turnaround of players since last season, but the Woodford girls stuck to their task and fought well to edge out the three-time county champions.

In a tremendous all-round display, defenders Hazel Ijomah, Christie Chapman and Harriet Stewart worked tirelessly to turn over the ball and outplay their experienced rival and continued the form of their earlier games that had seen them post impressive victories that including a 15-5 win over Trinity and a 14-1 demolition of Robert Clack.

Reverse

Meanwhile, the under-14s sole reverse in seven games was a 10-4 loss to Wanstead who went on to narrowly beat the Bancoft team that included several under-13 players to win their age group.

“This was a relatively young team featuring several under-13 players who were not used to tournament play, but they grew in confidence and skill as the tournament progressed,” Bancroft coach Pam Telford said.

“In particular, Sinmi Solanke (defence) and Daffodil Dhayaa (shooter) worked brilliantly at each end of the court.”

Bancroft’s under 16’s finished fourth overall in a good team effort that was highlighted by great shooting from Ella Day and Lizzie Austin.

Under-19s: Harriet Stewart, Clarissa Cameron, Bethany Lamb, Christie Chapman, Ellie Prideaux, Becky Mead (captain), Hazel Ijomah, Hannah White, Ellen Herbert.

Under-14s: Sarah Austin, Olivia O’Brien, Amrita Bhoarla, Daffodil Dhayaa, Olivia Hitching, Izzy King, Lily Meech, Tamika Quartey, Tanisha Schumacher, Sinmi Solanke