Putney High School celebrate winning the National Schools Finals U14 title (Image: Morgan Harlow)
Putney High School (U14s) and Cheadle Hulme (U16s) have been crowned National Schools Finals champions.
After qualifying through the Regional Schools Finals, the top 36 teams took part in 18 rounds of netball at Oundle School, with games taking place indoors and outdoors for the first time.
U14
In the U14 age category, Withington from the North West raced clear at the top of Section A, winning all their games in the opening stage, scoring 111 goals in the process. They were joined in the semi-finals by Wimbledon High School who fought off stiff competition from Brentwood from the East who just missed out on goal average.
Meanwhile, in Section B, it was 2019/20 runners up Putney High School from London & the South East who made it through to the semi-finals as group winners, two points ahead of St Helen & St Katherine from the South who qualified as runners up.
Into the semi finals and St Helen & St Katherine saw off the unbeaten Withington whilst Putney came out on top in their match up with Wimbledon, winning 15-7.
The final came down to the wire as Putney and St Helen & Katherine pushed each other point for point, setting up a golden goal finale where Putney triumphed, going from 2019/20 runners up, to 2021/22 champions. In the third place play off, Withington bounced back to win the bronze medal.
U16
Cheadle Hulme School from the North West posted the highest goal average from the day’s play and won eight out of eight on their way to the top of Section C. They were joined by 2019/20 champions Guildford High School from London & the South East.
Wellington College from the South matched the form of Cheadle Hulme, maintaining a 100% record on their way to the top of Section D. Putney High School clinched their place in the semi final, finishing just four points behind.
In the first semi final, Cheadle Hulme and Putney, the teams with the highest goal averages, went head-to-head but it was the side from the North West who went through whilst Guildford High School made it to through to their second successive National Schools final, fending off Wellington by two points.
In the end Cheadle’s had too much for their Section C rivals as they carried their impressive form through to the end, scoring 20 points in consecutive games to take the U16 crown. In the third place play off, Putney secured a 12-8 victory over Wellington to give their school their second medal of the day.
Cheadle Hulme claim the National Schools Final U16 title (Image: Morgan Harlow)
U14 Winners – Putney High School
Runners Up – St Helen & St Katherine
U16 Winners – Cheadle Hulme
Runners Up – Guildford High School
Best Attack – Cheadle Hulme U16s – 148 goals for
Best Defence – Putney High School U14s – 44 goals against
Back for their third year, the British Army supported the day’s event by providing challenges for the teams to have a go at whilst off court. In addition, the winning teams from today’s finals have been invited to attend a Leadership Day led by the British Army.
A full list of the results and final standings from the 2021/22 National Schools Finals can be viewed here.
Thank you to all the players, coaches, support staff, umpires, officials, volunteers, spectators and staff at Oundle School.
