LYMM High School’s Under 13 and Under 15 girls’ handball teams made a name for themselves in the national schools finals – with the Under 13s being crowned national champions and the Under 15s coming fourth.
The finals were played at the Olympic training venue at Mayesbrook, Barking
It was a sensational result for the Under 13s who defeated Harris Academy 3-1 in a hard fought final.
Lymm’s Ellie Fletcher scored first, with the team enjoying plenty of possession early on. But the Harris girls fought back to score just before half time.
Tension mounted in the second half, with both teams playing well.
But key defending from Molly Clark and Abby Smith kept Lymm in the game.
Then Ellie Fletcher scored a second goal to put Lymm ahead again.
Seven minutes from the end, goalkeeper Jess Impey made some outstanding saves and in the final minutes Ellie Fletcher completed her hat-trick to seal the victory.
The Under 15s faced a tough challenge, having only started the sport four months earlier and facing team with at least two years’ experience.
In the semi-finals they lost 1-0 in the last minute and then had to pick themselves up for a play-off for third and fourth places.
A hard fought game with Barking Abbey School ended all square and had to be settled with a penalty shoot out.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Wilson made some amazing saves and even after five penalties the two sides were still level. It took sudden death penalties to separate the two sides and Lymm ended up in fourth place.
Pictured (top): Under 13s team (left to right) front: Abby Smith, Ellie Fletcher, Vicky Ramsbottom; back: Molly Clarke, Shannon Billington, Jess Impey, Lauren Hood, Megan Thomas.
Below: Under 15s team: (left to right) front: Grace Clothier, Jessica Singleton, Laura Seddon; back: Hannah Davies, Hannah Frayne, Louisa Wade, Becky Bodger, Caitlin Wilson and coach Michaela Plant.
