Newton Abbot College’s Year 7 netball team have been crowned champions of the Central Venue League Tournament for the 2017-18 season.

The talented side faced opposition from 10 local schools on three separate occasions to secure the coveted title.

Paignton Community College hosted the tournament that attracted teams from all over the Torbay area in a round-robin competition held between November 2017 and January 2018.

After two successful rounds, the team entered the final leg undefeated and ready to face their final three schools in a nail-biting finale.

After securing wins of 6-4 against Churston Grammar and 5-4 against Cuthbert Mayne School, Newton?Abbot College faced Torquay Girls’ Grammar School in their final match.

Having suffered a 3-11 defeat in a friendly match earlier in the season, the Newton girls entered the match as underdogs.

With both teams undefeated through the previous rounds, the final match would determine the overall winner.

In an extremely close and tense match, the college team secured a 7-6 win in the final seconds, taking the overall title.

This is the first time Newton Abbot College has won the tournament at Year 7 level and was, as teacher of physical education and Year 7 netball coach Charlotte Tonge explained, all down to hard work and dedication.

‘After remaining unbeaten after the first round, the team attended extra training to help strengthen their game,’ she said.

‘The attitude and effort of such a young team has been fantastic and has been justly rewarded with one of the girls’ biggest sporting achievements to date.

‘I could not be prouder of them as a team and it has been wonderful to see them gel so well and support each other through training and some tough matches.

‘The future is extremely bright for this team and we are all looking forward to seeing what they can achieve in the future!’