MILLTHORPE School’s netball aces will be flying the flag for York and North Yorkshire at the regional round of the national schools’ tournament.

The South Bank school’s under-14s team are the only York area team to reach the regional qualifiers after coming through the county round at Ashville College, in Harrogate.

They took on the best seven teams in North Yorkshire – and won through with a victory in their final game, and in the process put out city rivals Joseph Rowntree School.

Millthorpe’s first match was against Joseph Rowntree and, despite being locked at 3-3 at half-time, Millthorpe pulled away to register an 8-3 victory.

Next up were Queen Mary’s, who proved to be a tough challenge.

There was some wonderful defending in the circle from Charli Wareham and Deny Hancox, both of whom produced some match-saving interceptions as Millthorpe came through 6-5 winners.

The third match proved to be the school’s hardest encounter.

Despite some brave battling in the centre court from Rachel Jarman, Millthorpe lost 5-4.

It was still possible to qualify for the regional round, but Millthorpe were relying on other results to go their way.

St Aidan’s were next up and after a superb battle the sides drew 4-4, leaving the door to qualification still open.

Victory in all their remaining matches could still be enough.

Next up were Stokesley and, with some excellent shooting from Beth Preston and Laura Stables, Millthorpe came through 7-3.

The game against Caedmon, from the Scarborough area, provided Millthorpe’s easiest win – 9-2.

That left the outcome resting on the last match against Scarborough College. If they lost, Joseph Rowntree would qualify, and if Millthorpe won, they were through.

Some wonderful centre court work from Cassie Thomas and Holly Murphy saw Millthorpe win 10-4.

The regional round of the national schools’ tournament will be played in Rotherham on January 30.