9.

What? Grange School win School Sport Magazine Cup

When? March 22

Where? Berkhamsted School

Grange School’s under 13s were unexpected winners of the School Sport Magazine Cup for the first time following a thrilling run to the final.

They repeatedly defied expectation, not least in wins against Bury Girls’ Grammar School in the last 16 and before avenging a defeat against Berkhamsted in last year’s edition at the semi-finals stage.

And they realised a dream when they resisted an attempt by opponents Goldophin & Latymer School to overturn an interval deficit during a close-fought final.

It concluded a remarkable month for the girls, who benefitted from playing regularly together at the weekend for Northwich Sapphires since they were eight-years-old.

How we reported it: National glory for Grange girls

How we Tweeted it:

How they Tweeted it: 

Our sports writer remembers:

“I was lucky enough to watch the girls put in a brilliant performance against Berkhamsted School, a rival that ended their run at the last-four stage of the previous edition of the School Sport Magazine Cup, in a semi-final encounter at Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

“They played with impressive skill, but more striking was their collective strength; they encouraged each other on and off court from the first whistle until the last.

“It was clear they had developed an understanding from playing together at Northwich Sapphires, and they were clinical in front of goal against capable opponents”.

Miss yesterday's first installment? 

Best of 2017: Gymnastics club reaches milestone