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Trip to International Netball Match at Wembley

International Netball Friday 18th April 2008

 

 

On Friday afternoon 20 pupils from years 7-11 travelled up to London to see the England Netball Team take on Malawi in the third and final Cooperative international test. England are currently ranked 3rd in the world and Malawi are 5th so we were set for an exciting match.

Before we had entered Wembley Arena the shopping began to ensure we had all the necessary equipment to make as much noise as possible. Nicky and Jenny led the cheering with their whistles ensuring The Downs could be heard around the arena even before the match began. Abi, Gemma, Jess, Ellie and Emma continued the support with England Cheer Sticks. The staff too ‘borrowed’ the Cheer sticks and created quite a pandemonium!

The atmosphere was magnificent from the national anthems to the final whistle. The courtside entertainment was amazing – dance lessons will never be the same again!

For the first quarter the girls were kept quiet as Malawi took the lead 5-0 and England 's netballers were made to battle to draw the first quarter 11-11. Thereafter, England's pace and power, inspired (of course by the cheering and banging of the crowd especially in E block by The Downs) enabled them to win in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley. The final score was England 61 Malawi 36.  

The evening was a great success. For some of the group it was the first time they had seen netball played at such an elite level.   Thanks to everyone for making it a memorable trip and a superb way to mark the end of the netball season at The Downs School.

Mrs Miller-Cook
Head of Girls PE