WORCESTER’S Royal Grammar School The Grange have been crowned Under 11s Independent Association of Prep Schools national champions.

The squad of 10 girls set off early for Repton School, Derbyshire, with parents as well as headteacher Gareth Hughes, head of girls’ games Laura Willis and coach James Gerrish.

In cold conditions, Claines-based The Grange faced five other teams in the group stages.

They drew 1-1 in the opener with Hoe Bridge School from Woking, who proved to be one of their strongest opponents.

Town Close School from Norfolk was a more comfortable game, which The Grange won 2-0.

They stepped up their performance in another 2-0 success over Blundell’s School, Devon.

Foremarke Hall, Repton, were also seen off 2-0 and a comfortable 3-0 victory followed in the final group game against King’s Hall School, Taunton.

In the quarter-finals, The Grange drew last year’s runners-up Orwell Park, Ipswich, and scored two goals in as many minutes through Lara Shaw in a 4-1 victory.

The girls were focused for the last four clash with Red Maids’ School, Bristol, and won 4-0 with Alice Atkinson and Lily Hutton dominating the play.

The Grange faced Kent College, Canterbury, in the final and Darcy Gray controlled the midfield with Ellie Nichols as composed as ever in defence.

The final score was 5-0 to the Worcestershire school as they lifted the national trophy.

Their hard-working, committed squad were also made up of Eva Barry, Katie Ralph, Imogen Monce, Zoe Pye and Annabel White.

The team also got to meet two Great Britain and England internationals in Georgie Twigg and Susie Gilbert, who presented them with their medals after the final. The women’s duo recently won their own gold medals at the European Championships.

Gerrish said: “My first day at RGS The Grange was four years ago and I met some of the girls then.

“To see them develop their hockey skills and to be part of this experience is amazing.

“It is a special and emotional day and one of the proudest moments in my coaching career.”

Most of the girls are members of Worcester, where Gerrish is the head coach, and a few others play for Stourport.

They train four times a week and several aspire to become part of the England squad.

Headteacher Hughes said: “This is a very proud moment for the school.

“Hockey has gone from strength to strength in recent years and all the planning, expertise and dedication have paid dividends.

“This is a special group of girls and I will follow their progress with interest as they move up to our senior school.”