RYLAND under-14s netball team did Bromsgrove proud at the National finals in Essex with a respectable seventh-placed finish.

This was the first time the club had reach the finals since 2008 after a brilliant West Midlands League campaign to seal qualification.

They became just one of two clubs to represent the region in the final 18 after going unbeaten in all of their group matches, ending with a flourish as they defeated Worcester Saracens 50-25.

That booked their spot in the top 18 teams in the country and Ryland, despite their inexperience, more than held their own.

Their first match was against a very strong physical team in Crystal Palace and they held their nerves for a draw.

After this, they only lost two games all weekend, to second-placed Bury and fourth spot finishers MK Netters.

They raised their level of play and showed all those who came to support what pride, passion, self-belief, skill and determination in literally throwing themselves all over the court could achieve.

Ryland's final match was against Hucclecote from Gloucestershire to see who would be ranked seventh or eighth in the final positions.

Hucclecote started best and were leading 15-9 at half-time and seemed to be in control.

However, the Ryland girls dug deep and began to dominate, reducing the lead to 19-17 going into the last quarter.

They stepped up another gear and Hucclecote couldn't match them in the last quarter which they won by the same margin as the third quarter 8-4 to win overall 25-23 and clinch the seventh place ranking spot.

The club has increased it's junior membership over the last year by nearly 20 per cent to 170 members and is able to offer training for girls from as young as year three-years-old.

Girls from school years four and five take part in matches and the club currently has the most teams entered into the Birmingham Intermediate League with 11 junior teams of girls in years six to 10, The club strongly believes in the "This Girl Can" ethos, so all abilities can find a team to play in; be it the elite girls in the U14A team or the seniors in Premier Division Two, to girls new to netball.

For the U14s A to achieve seventh place in National Finals is a reward for their hard word and dedication not only by them but their coach and ex-Wales international Sophie Baxter.