BROMSGROVE School hosted the National Indoor Girls’ Hockey Championships for the first time.

Teams from schools around the country descended on the school’s new sports arena.

Bromsgrove’s under-19s girls’ team were representing the school in the finals, starting with their first game against Dean Close School.

Despite losing 2-0, the girls made up for that with a thrilling win over Rossall in the last match of the day. In a pulsating encounter in front of a large, partisan crowd, Marie-Christian Heller scored with 28 seconds to go to secure a 1-0 victory.

The girls then played extremely well against a strong St George’s School but lost with the last play of the game 3-2.

In their final group match against talented reigning champions Ipswich School they lost 6-1.

The Bromsgrove under-18 boys’ hockey team also had a strong run in their own National Finals competition at Whitgift School near Croydon.

In the group matches they beat the hosts and reigning champions 3-2, despite being 2-1 down with only two minutes to go, and then drew 2-2 with Dean Close.

The Bromsgrove team also beat Egglescliff 6-0 and then Thomas Deacon Academy 4-3.

In the semi-final the boys lost against Ipswich School 3-2, with the opponents scoring from a penalty corner to break Bromsgrove hearts with 30 seconds to go.

“For both teams, it was a long journey and one distinguished by great character and personal growth,” said deputy headmaster Philip Bowen.

“The girls reached the top 10 in the land and the boys the best four and all will look back on it as an exciting and rewarding campaign.”