EARLS Hall School have finished third in the National Rounders Finals.

The Westcliff-based school qualified for the event by winning both the Southend Schools competition and the Essex finals.

The national final started in a group of five teams and Earls Hall started with a 6–2.5 win against Lakeside School.

Next up they beat William Austin School 5.5–5 before seeing off Ballifield Primary 8–7.

In the final group game, Earls Hall beat Linsdale Primary 4.5–4 to work their way through to the semi-finals.

In the final four they faced former champions Barugh School from Barnsley and were narrowly beaten 6–5.

But a spokesman for the school remained incredibly proud.

“Every player played exceptionally well throughout the tournament and we received many compliments from other schools saying how well we were playing,” said the spokesman.

“This has been a great season for Earls Hall rounders teams and reaching a national final and finishing third is a great accomplishment for all the players.”