Hard work and determination have paid dividends for the smallest school in the district.

With an annual intake of 22 and just 12 available girls in the current year 6, the St Nicholas CE VA Primary School netball squad has achieved against all the odds.

In the space of two weeks, the girls won te Small Schools League trophy, the dstrict High 5s and the Harpenden Netball Rally. They now go on to represent St Albans and District in the Hertfordshire County High 5s finals in June.

Coach Sara Stichbury paid tribute to the girls’ fighting spirit in the Rally, winning a gripping semi and then the final in extra time after coming from a goal behind in each case.

“Credit must also go to Tracy Mann and Sue Heather, coaches at Hatfield Club, where the girls receive extra training. Thanks also to their parents, who have been such a support since the girls started with me in Year 5,” she said.