NETBALL

PETROC Netball Academy will represent the South West at the Under-19 National Schools Championships in March.

They qualified by reaching the final of the Regional Schools Tournament in Bournemouth on Saturday.

Already the Devon champions, they beat off competition from the top two school and college teams from each of the six other counties in the South West, defeating King Edward's School 12-11 in the final.

Petroc started with an impressive 16-3 win against Warminster School in the group stage.

An 8-5 defeat followed against Millfield School but Petroc were soon back to winning ways against Truro School (9-8) and Royal High School Bath (13-9).

After a 9-9 draw with Bryanston School, Petroc needed to beat Cheltenham Ladies College to reach the semi-finals – and they did, 9-6.

As runners-up in their group they faced Truro College, who won the other section.

Some excellent play by Rebecca Priest and Laura Short helped Petroc into a 6-5 half-time lead and they stayed ahead in the second half to edge a 12-11 win and a place in the final and the National Championships.

Priest was named player of the tournament.

Petroc finished seventh in the nationals last year.

This year's championships will be held on March 17.

Petroc Netball Academy: Rebecca Priest (captain), Rosie Norton, Laura Short, Amber Manley, Stephanie Batstone, Rhea Golland, Louisa Wilson, Beth Miles, Rachel Russell. DO! Volunteer and Netball Academy member Zoe Chan also attended as a scorer.