Sidmouth College Under-14 girls’ played in the Devon County netball Finals at Exeter University’s Sports Park last week.

This is the first time in five years that Sidmouth have had a team reach this stage of the competition.

First up the team met Kingsbridge and made a slow start, possibly a little overwhelmed by the occasion!

However, in the second half the team found a higher gear and moved the ball around well to emerge victorious.

Next up a close encounter with Ivybridge, a game the Sidmouth team led until the Bridgers levelled deep into the second half for honours to end even.

Game three saw the team come up against a physical and aggressive West Buckland side who would, go on to win the whole event. Sidmouth lost this game 14-3 prior to their last match against Blundells School, Tiverton.

With the help of a little extrinsic motivation (a promise of a stop at the Services on the way home if they performed well), the team gave it their all showing great courage and determination to put in a valiant, but ultimately unsuccessful, battle.

Sidmouth were the only non-private, non-grammar, non-sports college to appear in the later stages of the competition and the team clearly enjoyed the experience.

One player, Daisy Essex said: “I never knew netball could be so violent!”

Sidmouth squad: Charley Gardiner, Emily Dawkins, Danni King-Keast, Emily Vicary, Robyn Hansford, Bryony Monaghan, Sophie Moore, Issy Sawyers, Ellie Gosling, Daisy Essex and Hannah Vicary.