High school’s sporting successes

Welshpool High School’s U16 girls’ netball team are heading south today (Saturday) to compete at the National Schools Finals in Haverfordwest.

The girls reached the final after lifting the North Powys trophy, staying unbeaten in Machynlleth last November, and then winning a play-off final against South Powys champions, Christ College, Brecon, at The Flash in February.

That match couldn’t have been tighter, but Welshpool pulled away in the last quarter to win 18-10 with the Powys champions set to play the other regional winners from across Wales today.

Footballers reach Welsh Cup semi-finals

Meanwhile, the school’s Year 7 footballers have reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup.

Victories over Llanidloes, Newtown and Llanfyllin saw them crowned Powys Champions and book their place in the National Round of 16 draw where they won 6-4 at Ysgol Bro Teifi, Llandysul.

Ysgol Bro Myrddin were then welcomed to Welshpool for the quarter-finals and, after a tight affair, Welshpool came from behind twice to reach the last four with a 3-2 win.

Next up is Ysgol Rhosnesni, Wrexham, with the match likely to take place on Thursday, March 27, at Newtown Football Club.

Welsh Schools Cross Country

Ten athletes qualified to represent Powys Schools through the county Cross Country Championships held in Dolerw Park, Newtown, back in January.

The group went to the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships, held in Brecon, in February, with some very impressive performances, including Bella Roberts who finished 13^th in the junior girls and Seb Loxam, who finished 12th in the lower junior boys.

But the top performance came from Jude White (pictured on the right) whose 10^th place in the junior boys race saw him selected to represent Wales at the SIAB event in Falkirk, Scotland, where he will compete against the top runners in the whole of the UK.

The school’s Head of Physical Education, Mr Aled Humphreys, is understandably proud of the efforts and said: “This is just a snapshot of some recent events but it has been a particularly busy year on the sporting front for the school.

“I am extremely proud of all of our pupils who have represented the school this year and of course wish all teams and individuals mentioned above the best of luck in their upcoming events. I would also like to express a huge thank you to all of our staff who so often give up their own evenings and weekends to support the sporting endeavours of our students.

“I would also like to add a note of thanks to our two main sponsors for this year, Tanat Valley Coaches and SDW. Our pupils can be seen proudly donning the new football and netball kits respectively that they have donated this year.”