FITZWIMARC’s Year 7 girls won the Essex Netball Cup.

The Rayleigh school’s youngsters defeated Brentwood School in a see-saw battle which ended 21-17.

Fitz’s road to victory started way back in September when, along with 45 other teams, they entered the contest.

In the preliminary rounds schools were split into eight pools and to progress to the quarter finals teams had to finish either first or second.

FitzWimarc were runners-up in their pool to Brentwood School.

The Rayleigh girls progressed through to the quarter finals where they squared up to Davenant, winning 21-8.

They then faced Chelmsford County High in the semis and – after a close game – ran out 19-12 winners.

FitzWimarc’s first Essex Cup netball final took part at Gloucester Park in Basildon.

Team coach Michelle Knott said: “We knew we were up against it after losing to them in the preliminarys. We started off strong and at quarter time we were 7-4 up. But we then had a real battle in the second quarter, losing Gaby Quigley four minutes from the end after going over on her ankle, we came off drawing 10-10.”

“It was still neck and neck at the end of the third quarter.

“It was all down to the last quarter and the girls really upped their work rate,” she added.