Wardle Academy win the PGL Netball Tournament

Wardle Academy Year 9 PGL Netball Champions 2014

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Wardle Academy’s Year 8 and Year 9 netball teams entered the PGL Netball Tournament for the first time this year and Year 9 won and Year 8 came runners up.

Year 8 had a great start to the weekend playing three games in quick succession, winning two drawing one and scoring highly. This gave them a excelllent goal difference and put them in a good position for the next stage.

Year 9 played four matches on the Saturday, winning three and drawing one. Year 9 were up against some tough teams and did well to keep any goals conceded low.

After such a good day on Saturday, the girls went into Sunday determined to win the competition.

Sunday morning started well with Year 8 having three matches.

A trip to A&E for Sadie Spence only encouraged the team more, and they were determined to make the final for Sadie. They went into their last game needing to win with a big score in order to secure a final spot. They stepped up to the mark and won 17-0, guaranteeing their place in the final.

Year 9 had two games Sunday morning, but they had already secured their spot in the final after their performance on Saturday.

Wardle Academy were through to both sets of finals with an unbeaten record.

Both finals were full of excitement with the Year 9 game going into extra time. Excellent leadership from Ella Clegg ensured the team were calm and played some fantastic netball.

After extra time, the score was still level so the umpires called the golden goal rule into play.

Wardle lost the coin toss so started against play, and some brilliant defensive work from Olivia Morris allowed Wardle to win back possession and play the ball down to the attack. Olivia Krogulski took the final shot and scored, which secured victory for Year 9, making them PGL Champions 2014.

After some celebrating on court, and a few tears of joy from Miss Shepherd and Miss Bowler, it was Year 8's turn to step onto centre court.

Year 8 were up against very stiff competition and started the game well, switching the ball from defence to attack with ease. Exceptional mid court play from Grace Anderson and Bethany Roscoe allowed Wardle to play some brilliant netball.

At half time, Wardle were trailing 6-2 but started the second half strong pulling the score back to 6-4. However, Urmston Grammar were a very strong team and increased their lead to win 8-4.

The girls were in for another treat as unknown to both teams Sasha Corbin, player for Hertfordshire Mavericks and England International player, was watching both finals and she congratulated the school as a whole, telling both teams they played some amazing netball. Sasha then took Ella Clegg to one side to tell her she played "some amazing netball and showed fantastic leadership". Sasha also presented the medals to the girls and posed for team pictures afterwards.

Teachers Miss Shepherd and Miss Bowler said: "We couldn’t be prouder of the girls; not only did they play some tremendous netball and secured the winner’s trophy and a runners up spot for Year 8 but they also showed great team spirit by watching each other’s matches and cheering each other on."