UNDER-14 netballers from Joseph Rowntree School finished 11th in the national finals at Brighton.

The York girls, representing Yorkshire and Humberside, made a slow start, losing 8-6 to Millfield. They then found themselves 4-0 down to Ellesmere Port Catholic High School but fought back to win 7-6.

This acted as a spur to the York girls who then defeated Lady Eleanor Holles 4-1 and Oakdale 4-3 to take the lead in section one.

The cold and wind made it difficult for the shooters and after a two-hour break Rowntree were slow to find their form as they drew 5-5 with Loughborough.

Their final three matches were all against top opposition who are regulars at the nationals and they lost 7-4 to St Anthony's, 6-4 to Broxbourne, who went on to be crowned champions, and 8-0 to Fairfax School.

Rosie Wright and Cheryl Fairclough were voted jointb players of the tournament and together with Emily Fowler, an Under-16 player from Joseph Rowntree, were invited to join England talent training camps in November.

The Joseph Rowntree Under-14s squad at Brighton was Rosie Wright (capt), Nina Malton, Cheryl Fairclough, Hannah Errington, Sarah Welsh, Emily Armstrong, Alice Lawrenson and Nicola Paget.

Mount School, York romped home in the Ampleforth Cross-Country Challenge featuring some of the top senior teams.

The Mount squad were trained by team captain Laura Lancaster and dominated the event over a three-and-a-half-mile course.

It was the first time the Mount had been invited to take part and trhey sent a fairly young team with 13-year-old Philippa Hetherton leading them home in second place, closely followed by Joanna Mason, also 13.

Laura Mason (11) was fifth, Lancaster sixth and Chloe Walsh (12) seventh. Becky Mason (11) was 22nd, five places ahead of Harriet Hetherton (15).

The match result was: 1 Mount School 45pts, 2 St Peter's 68, 3 Welbeck 112, 4 Ampleforth 116, 5 Stoneyhurst 194.

Updated: 09:02 Wednesday, March 12, 2003