Semi-final blow for brave Sandon youngsters

SANDON Primary School reached the semi finals of the National Pop Lacrosse tournament – narrowly missing out on another final. The talented school, having already won a national football trophy this year, travelled to the Hertfordshire Sports Village in

SANDON Primary School reached the semi finals of the National Pop Lacrosse tournament - narrowly missing out on another final.

The talented school, having already won a national football trophy this year, travelled to the Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield on Sunday, and eased their way into the quarter finals.

Group stage victories over Rendcomb (8-4), Honeywell (6-4) and Brooklands (5-2) set up a tie with North-West school Diggle, who Sandon also sent packing with a hard-fought 6-5 win.

However, Sandon, the smallest school at the final, met their match in the semi finals, losing to a formidable St Peters C of E School of Nottingham.

St Peters then lost to Sandon's Hertfordshire rivals William Ransom of Hitchin in the final.

PE co-ordinator Ruth Reynolds said: "It was a remarkable achievement for us to get to the semi-final stage, having reached the quarter finals last year.

"We were the smallest school with the youngest players.

"The children should be extremely proud of their performance and to reach the last four of a national tournament, competing against schools from all over England, Scotland and Wales, is outstanding.

"They showed incredible determination, plenty of skill, and were commended for their sporting manners.

"They are a pleasure to be with and a real credit to the school. I'm proud of them all."

Sandon squad: Jake Long, Matthew Stout, Matthew Reynolds, Ash Mitchell, Chelsea Folly, Danielle Close, Bethan Roper, Fiona Hodge, Tom Roper and Helen Inman.