MALVERN College Prep School were the winners of this year's U12 and U13 District Schools' Netball Tournaments without either team losing a match.

Following this, the U13 team also played beyond all expectations at the County Schools' Tournament.

Malvern qualified for the County championships as district schools' winners, while runners-up Malvern St James also went through along with 10 other qualifying teams from Worcestershire.

Coach Jill Brierly said: "After a slow start to the county tournament by MCPS, losing 7-3 to St John's Middle School, Bromsgrove, their play and determination improved from match to match, beating Holy Trinity (5-0), Bredon Hill Middle School (5-1), Kings' Worcester (2-1) and Birchensale (6-3).

"Therefore, as runners-up of their group, they went through to the semi-final playing against group-winners Bromsgrove.

"This proved to be a real test of fight by the Malvern team, knowing that Bromsgrove were the favourites to win the competition.

"It was certainly the best performance to date by this team. They managed to hold the opposition to a level score by half-time and even took the lead in the second-half.

"But, with minutes remaining, the fast play of the Bromsgrove team proved to be too much to contain, and they eventually won the exciting semi-final 9-7.

"Although it was disappointing to miss an opportunity to play in the final, the Malvern team should feel extremely proud of their achievements during their final year here."