At last the weather was on the side of sport as the sun came out for the South Hams and West Devon area netball finals. The tournament took place at Kingsbridge Community College and saw seven teams compete to get through to the Devon County Finals.

Thurlestone Primary had been drawn in a tough pool, with both Stowford and Loddiswell to play. The first match against Stowford showed the Thurlestone team’s determination to succeed and, with some excellent defence and shooting, culminated in an impressive win.

Next up were Loddiswell, who Thurlestone had only narrowly beaten in the previous tournament. Although the competition was strong, with some great defending in the goal area, Thurlestone pulled together and won the match.

With two wins from two, the team was now into the semi-finals against East Allington – a team the players had come up against before and had four fellow KAN Netball Club players, who all knew were strong. The match was nail-biting and at full time the score stood at 1-1.

Needing a winner, the match went into extra time with the first goal scored to decide matters. A narrow miss for goal from the East Allington team gave Thurlestone the ball, from which they scored the golden goal which saw them through to the finals.

The final saw Thurlestone up against Loddiswell again and after a fast-moving and tense game, with goals going both ways, Thurlestone pulled ahead and claimed victory in the tournament.

All of the teams involved would like to thank KCC for the use of the courts and providing the umpires. It was a very well-run event and Thurlestone are now looking ahead to the Devon County finals to be held at Paignton on March 17.