International call-up for Moreton Hall starlets

Six members of the under-19s team have been called up for Wales, following their triumph with Shropshire in the recent Northern Counties Championship in York.

Seren Philips, Molly Bennett, Serena Grace, Georgina Grace, Lily Mainwaring and Clemmie Baynes all impressed Welsh team coaches sufficiently to earn call-ups.

Milly Home has, meanwhile, landed a place in England's squad and will face her Moreton Hall team-mates when the two nations face-off in next month's home internationals.

Kate Groves, head of sport at Moreton, said: "It is an exceptional achievement to be called up for your country and is something the girls should be extremely proud of.

"We are so pleased that their talent has been spotted and this selection really does highlight the standard and strength of lacrosse at Moreton."

Home's achievement is particularly impressive as she is one of just two girls from Year 10 to be selected for the under-19s.

A keen all-rounder, she was also in the England women's cricket talent programme and recently claimed the Shropshire Star award for Junior Female Cricketer of the Year.

The school, whose own cricket team finished second in last season's national tournament, are soon set to build new indoor nets.

Groves added: "It highlights the superb commitment that Milly has given to the sport over the years, as well as the standard of coaching at Moreton.

"We have had an exceptional season in lacrosse and Milly's selection for England further demonstrates the talents of the young sports men and women at Moreton Hall."

The strength of Moreton's lacrosse team was demonstrated in the fact they made up the bulk of Shropshire's squad at the Northern Counties Championship, which the county won for the first time in its history.

A total of 25 players were used in the A and B teams. Both teams won two games and drew one, which was enough for Shropshire to clinch overall victory.

Moreton's Lucy Smith and Emily Tanner were awarded the Most Valuable Player awards. Elsewhere, there was glory for the school's under-13s team in the North Schools Championships.

After winning all of their pool games, Moreton's youngsters needed a late winner to claim a 4-3 semi-final win over tough opponents from Bolton.

The final, a storming 7-0 win over Timperley Lacrosse Club, was a far more straightforward affair.

For Moreton's under-12s, the competition proved far tougher, though they did pick up a win before falling to narrow defeats in their final two pool games.

Groves said: "Recently, our under-13 team played out of their skin to reach the quarter-finals of National Schools by beating Guildford High in a golden goal match.

"That was some of the best lacrosse I had seen all year, until now. The team work between all the players was just outstanding and to come away with not losing a match all day is brilliant.

"It summed up what has been a triumphant season of lacrosse."