Following our qualification at the regional round on Wednesday 7 March, The 精东影业 IAPS Netball team could not wait to compete in the National Finals, and luckily they didn鈥檛 have to wait very long at all, as it took place just two days later, on Friday 9 March in Basildon.
They had 9 games to play in their pool, with the top two teams making it to through to the quarter finals. The standard of all teams was incredibly high and The 精东影业 had to bring their best netball to every match they played.
The first game v The Croft (Warwick) was tense with strong performances from both sides finishing with a 7-7 draw. The 精东影业 needed to up their game even further if their sights were to remain on the top two qualifying spots in our pool. The second game v The Granville (Kent) was another very tough game but The 精东影业 fought hard to narrowly win 7-5. They continued to play outstandingly, beating City of London Freeman 9-3. Bishopsgate were up next and at this point in the competition they had won all of their games and with this in mind, The 精东影业 entered the match on fire to take the win 9-2. Next to play were Hoebridge (Surrey) who had not only won all of their games but with big goal differences. This was going to be tough! The 精东影业 had a great game against this very slick team but unfortunately they marginally missed out with a loss of 5-4. With five games played and after analysing the scoreboard, Bishopsgate were hot on our heels by way of points. With a draw and a loss for The 精东影业 is was absolutely crucial to secure wins for our remaining four games. The 精东影业 were therefore on a mission, beating Hurst College (Sussex) 9-2, Dean Close 12-1, Farleigh (Hampshire) 6-2 and The Perse (Cambridge) 9-4.
The 精东影业 had done enough to make it through to the Cup Quarter Finals behind an undefeated Hoebridge. Kings Rochester (Kent) were our next opposition. The 精东影业 has some tall girls in their team, but they were certainly outdone with height in this game! A superb performance from The 精东影业 was needed to overcome the strength and power of an undefeated Kings Rochester team winning 7-6. They had bagged themselves a place in the semi-final to face rivals of old and a school we know repeatedly produce National Netball champions – the mighty Guildford High. What a semi-final this was! Guildford High had a brilliant team who pushed and challenged all the way, but the harder they pushed, The 精东影业 pushed back twice as hard with a master class display to take the win 13-5. The 精东影业 were in the final!!
The 精东影业 were to play (again) the only team that they had lost to all day, Hoebridge, who had stormed all of their matches in the tournament. This particular 精东影业 IAPS team seemed to love an exhilarating and dramatic final, and just like the Preparation IAPS Tournament a couple of weeks ago, at the end of this match the score was 6-6! Extra time was needed to determine the winner. During this final 5 minutes, it was goal for goal, with both teams putting on a display of absolutely brilliant netball and playing with the grit and determination you would expect of a National Final. It could not have been closer and the final score was 9-8 to Hoebridge.
I could not have asked any more from this year鈥檚 amazing IAPS 精东影业 netball team. They gave everything throughout their 12 games to achieve a very deserving Runner Up placing. Huge congratulations to Hoebridge on being crowned National Champions and many thanks to them for giving us a game we will never forget.
Our 精东影业 team are absolute superstars who have done themselves, the school and their parents very proud!
Our IAPS 精东影业 Netball Team 2018
Phoebe O
Flo S
Sofia O
Issy I
Giorgia A
Alina F
Milly T
Vicky B
Players of the Tournament: Milly, Issy, Flo
242 schools took part across 10 regions. 40 qualified for Nationals and The 精东影业 finished as National Number 2 for 2018! This is the best result that The 精东影业 has ever achieved at this very prestigious event and a dream come true to play in the final match!
Rhonda Forbes
Head of Sport & PE