The U16 Netball team competed at the annual district tournament held at Stanborough School on Tuesday 22 November 2016. Due to injury and last minute changes, the team were down to only five players; however, with Lucy Kelly and Mia Fuell stepping in at the last minute the team were back up to the required seven.

The tournament didn’t start so well, as the draw changed and Queenswood missed their first game, and with Yavneh absent, they were left with only Bishops Hatfield to play. With two teams progressing through from each group to the semi-finals, Queenswood were aware they needed a big win in their only game to go through.

Captain Lara Sikka got the team going, and combination play between her and Vice-captain Marina Baldwin consistently got the ball in to shooter Ellen Goodwin, who scored shot after shot. The defence had little work to do, and the final result was 11-1 to Queenswood; impressive in a 10-minute match. This saw Queenswood go through as group winners and play the runners-up of Group A, Monks Walk.

Queenswood again started strongly. Mia Fuell made some good runs and Ellen Goodwin continued her goal streak. Elene Abeywickrama, Lucy Kelly and Tomisin Ibikunle worked hard in defence, making accurate interceptions to keep Monks Walk at bay. Queenswood were 8-2 up at half time and went on to win 12-4. They were to face old rivals Dame Alice Owens in the final.

The first half of the final was fairly equal, with both teams scoring on their centre passes; half time score had Q down by 3-2. A positive team talk with a change of tactics saw Queenswood dominate the second half, and with yet more quality shooting from Ellen Goodwin, win the game 7-3.

Many congratulations to all girls on being crowned District Champions 2016.