KING'S Hawford School's girls' under 11s hockey team qualified for the national finals after winning regional silver medals.

At the U11 Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) regionals in Cheltenham, the Worcester players embraced the tournament despite the rain and wind.

They beat Wycliffe College, Stonehouse, 7-0 but then went down 5-0 to a strong Clifton College team from Bristol.

King's recovered to beat local rivals Bromsgrove School 2-1 in their final group game to make the quarter-finals.

Against The Downs, Bristol, King's again triumphed 2-1 in an end-to-end encounter to reach the last four.

Bryony Gillgrass scored from a penalty corner for a 3-2 victory over The Richard Pate School, Cheltenham, to get to the final and ensure national progress.

In a rematch with Clifton, King's went a goal up and continued to impress before eventually falling 2-1.

They head to the national finals at Rugby School on November 21.

Headteacher Jim Turner said: “I am immensely proud of the girls and their achievements.

"They fought hard against Clifton College in the finals and very narrowly conceded defeat.

"Their sportsmanship and team spirit is commendable”.

Deputy headteacher Amanda Marshall-Walker, the under 11s hockey coach, said: "It is definitely worth praising the girls for their performance throughout the tournament.

"They really enjoyed themselves and it showed in their performance.”