Carmel's Netball team tasted success before the festive period when they took part in the British Colleges North West Competition in Manchester. Our team was a mixture of upper and lower sixth girls who competed against other college teams from across the region in what turned out to be a very successful day!

It was an early start for the team who left college at 8am and were also without their manager Michaela Byrne on the day. Stephen Powell, Carmel’s football team manager, deputised and was under strict orders from Michaela to “bring home the bacon!”

After some discussions between Captain Sam Thomas, Vice Captain Amy Pilkington and Coach Powell, the team was selected and a blueprint was in place to hopefully bring success in the group stages of the competition. We agreed that it was going to be a squad effort; that every one of the girls who had travelled would be given equal opportunities on the day to ‘show their metal’.

Carmel got off to a sluggish start in the first game, but by half time had found their feet brushing aside Blackpool Sixth Form College 17-5 with goal shooter Alex Makin finding her range early on, and the experienced Thomas and Pilkington impressing with their aggressive yet fair approach.

Game Two saw Carmel meet Preston College and the girls started the game at the same pace as they ended Game 1, putting 20 points past a Preston team who didn’t have an answer to the relentless Carmel attacks. Mel Hogg and Jenni Hammon both impressive in their defensive roles.

Game Three wasn’t as easy with Carmel meeting Nelson & Colne in a thrilling game. Both teams defended and attacked with confidence and the game looked like it could go either way with the half time scores locked at 8-8. The second half was much of the same with both teams cancelling each other out. With a minute left in the game the scores were 11-11, but Carmel weren’t finished, scoring 2 points in the final 30 seconds to win 13-11.

A win in Game Four would guarantee Carmel top spot in the league and they weren’t about to wilt here, sailing past Burnley College 15-4 with impressive performances from Goal Attack Jenny Roberts and tireless work from Wing Defence Emily Flaherty allowing Alex Makin and Sarah Orford to continue their scoring form.

A Semi Final clash with Loreto College was set up and the instructions were simple, keep working as hard as we were for each other and we would get into the final. Luckily our team had already had the chance to see Loreto in action in the earlier rounds so knew what to expect; Amy Pilkington nullifying the Loreto threat allowing Captain Sam Thomas to dominate the game from the centre. Dawn O’Dowd, Amy Hughes and the ever present goal machine, Alex Makin, again showing great work rate and skill to stop Loreto in their tracks. The game finished 19-7 and set up a Final with a team we had met in a classic encounter in the group stage, Nelson & Colne.

With their 100% record in all the previous games we couldn’t afford to lose this one! Sixteen minutes of netball would determine whether or not the silverware would be on the coach back to St Helens! Tactics were again simple. More of the same was needed and the girls delivered in style, with every one of them playing out of their skins to record an 18-12 win in what turned out to be a fantastic Final to watch!

It had been a great day for the Netball team who were on top form throughout the tournament. The whole squad were a credit to the college showing exemplary behaviour and great sportsmanship all day.

This will hopefully be the first of many trophies for the team who are also enjoying a successful season in the British College North West League. The girls currently sit fourth in their table which leaves them in contention for a play-off place and with their current form could well see more success in the coming months. Well done girls!