ENDEAVOUR was the name of the game for Millthorpe School’s under-16s netball team on the national stage.

The York youngsters represented Yorkshire and Humberside for the first time at the eteach.com National Netball Finals in Southampton and claimed 14th place overall.

Millthorpe also came home with the Endeavour Trophy, awarded by England Netball officials for outstanding sportsmanship and positive attitude on court.

Coach Sarah Watts hailed the nine-strong squad’s “incredible achievement”.

The team’s opening match of the Finals was against Sevenoaks School, and they were edged out 7-5. Oundle then beat Millthorpe 11-3 before the York girls tasted success against Newcastle Central High. Motivated by their two losses, they led 6-1 at half-time and went on to win 9-5.

A 20-1 defeat by Bromsgrove, the eventual runners-up, knocked the Millthorpe girls’ confidence.

They salvaged some pride against Brighton College, matching them at 5-5 in the first half before losing 13-7.

Against St Peter’s C of E Aided School, a half-time deficit of 6-4 turned into a 13-6 defeat, while the final game against Sharnbrook Upper School saw Millthorpe play their best netball of the tournament.

Outstanding shooting under pressure from Abi Olsen and Faye Whiteley saw the team go neck and neck to the final whistle before losing out 8-9.

The final game against Bacup and Rawtenstall School ended in a 16-6 defeat.