#bablakelionesses

Last Saturday took me to Oundle to watch the U14 and U16 netballs squads compete in the England Netball national finals. Netball is currently being run separately within BKHS, and Bablake were the only Midlands schools to qualify both U14 and U16 teams. Both squads had come through regional rounds and looked very promising, but against the best of the best – and teams you have never played before – you never know how you are going to fare.

Oundle, a boarding school near Peterborough, were our hosts: they have eight netball courts, including two indoor “show courts” in their Sports Hall. In the first round of games both teams were indoors and I was able to watch them from the balcony. The U14s, closest to us, opened up a healthy lead which got whittled back in the closing minutes, but they held on for the win. On the far court each time I looked up at the U16s I could see the two Libbys at GA and GS popping in goals for fun. A good start for both squads with their first wins on the board.

After that, the teams were usually on separate outdoor courts and they each had more wins but also a couple of losses in their pool games. By lunchtime, with 6 of their 8 games played, both sides could still progress: the U14s had their fate in their own hands while the U16s needed two more wins and other results to go in their favour. In the end, both ended up in creditable mid-table positions in their pools. Thu U-16s finished 7th out of 9 in their pool, which was the harder part of the draw with both finalists coming from it. The U-14s finished one agonising win short of the semi-finals, but will look to come back even stronger in two years’ time.

This is the first school where I have been able to watch genuine top-quality netball. It was a pleasure to see how well both our teams competed, and moreover, how well the girls represented the school with their conduct on and off court. It was a fine day for girls’ sport at Bablake, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who make all the sport here possible, and the parents who give our teams such excellent support.