JOSEPH Rowntree School's Under-14 netballers have made it through to the national finals.

The York youngsters recovered from a disastrous start to win the regional title at Rossett School's Sports Centre, Harrogate.

But there was agony for their cross-city rivals Huntington, who were unbeaten but didn't amass enough points to go on to the nationals which will be contested by 18 schools on Saturday, March 24.

Joseph Rowntree had a bad bout of nerves in their opening match when they crashed 10-5 to Sheffield High and then only scraped an 8-7 win against Hall Cross (Doncaster).

Their confidence was low when they met York rivals Huntington and they found themselves 3-1 down at half-time but fought back to draw the match 4-4 before beating Beverley 10-1 to restore some self belief.

A 10-6 win over Bradford Grammar gave Joseph Rowntree a glimmer of hope for qualification and a 10-7 victory over Ilkley put them right back into the competition.

Victory in their last match against North Yorkshire rivals Pocklington was crucial.

Pocklington were in eighth place but Joseph Rowntree only led 5-4 at half time and their chances of making progress to the national finals were in jeopardy.

But knowing they could end up as runners-up gave them the push they needed and they went on to win 14-5 and book a place in the finals.

Indeed, when all the results were collated they discovered they had won the tournament after Sheffield - the side that had beaten them in the opening game - had lost some matches.

But it was agony for Huntington who finished third overall despite remaining unbeaten.

Joseph Rowntree under-14 team was Emily Fowler (captain), Sarah McQuade, Michelle McQuade, Katie Ellis, Heather Welsh, Katie Caffrey, Kathryn Cordell, Jenni Bailey and Charlotte Tattersall.

Joseph Rowntree's under-19s could not match the success of their younger colleagues and finished fourth overall.

They opened with an excellent 14-4 victory over Wilberforce College but were then held to a draw by Silverdale (Sheffield).

Joseph Rowntree then held Allerton until the last minute when there was only one goal in it, but Allerton increased their lead to win 11-9.

Greenhead College (Huddersfield) proved too strong for the York girls who went down 10-7 to lose any chance of going on to the national finals.

Their other results were against Wolfreton, who they beat 16-9, against Easingwold, who they beat 19-3, and against Sheffield High, who they lost to 8-5.

The Joseph Rowntree under-19 squad was: Amy Cunnington (captain), Amy Snow, Gemma Shaw, Jo Phillips, Jenny Carter, Julie Ely, Helen Cordell, Dawn Pashby, Emily Keen, Katie Barrass, Katy Neep, Lousie Perrins.

Updated: 11:03 Saturday, February 03, 2001