The U16 netball team began a run of success with an outstanding performance at the county tournament. Winning all their pool matches, Sevenoaks steadily progressed through the quarters and into the semis, where they faced a tough opposition in Newstead Wood.

It was a trying game with Sevenoaks being on the receiving end of a 1-4 result at half-time. The team pulled together and turned the game around, reaching the final against Highworth, and winnning very convincingly 13-5, crowning Sevenoaks county champions. This meant the team progressed through to the South East Regional Finals on Sunday 23 January.

With not much turn-around time the girls were back on court playing for a place in the nationals. With nerves running high, the team made a brilliant start to the day and won their first three matches; v St Helens 14-4; v Chafford School 13-6; v Godolphin and Latymer 6-3. This was a real confidence boost and Sevenoaks went on to win two out of three of the next pool matches, losing to Guildford High 8-11, and beating Highworth 8-4 and Coloma Convent 10-7.

Having dropped one game, it came down to the final pool game against Barking Abbey. It was a very intense and close match. With the lead changing hands and the game flowing from end to end, Sevenoaks found themselves two goals down. They all had to step up and focus on every pass and shot. Milly, Lizzie and Megan provided solid defence, dominating the back of the court snatching intercepts and rebounds out of mid-air, while driving through the centre court were Hanna, Polly, Lily and Nicky, whose teamwork was exceptional. Lucy and Lily secured two goals to level the scores. This reignited their hopes and the team continued to stretch the game and gained the lead, winning 12-10.

Finishing on the same points as Coloma Convent meant some length arithmetic to work out the goal difference. Sevenoaks narrowly missed out on winning but as runners up have secured a very well-earned place in the National Finals which take place in March.

Team: Pollyanna Young (Captain), Lily Elliott, Lucy Lawson, Nicky Wilkinson, Elizabeth Seeley, Emily Shepherd-Barron, Megan Annetts, Polly Lambert, Hanna Jay, Christiana Bickley