PUPILS from schools in the Andover area fought it out for the title of netball champions in the rural and town High 5 tournaments.

A packed afternoon of netball saw many schools entering the spirit of the competitions and taking on other schools to find the ultimate netballing victors.

The rural schools tournament, held at Portway Junior School, featured ten different schools with each team fielding five players. The number of boys in each team proved that the sport is becoming increasingly popular with both sexes.

Taking the cup home were the Longparish Primary School team members who were awarded gold medals for their efforts. In second place was Barton Stacey Primary School, with Hurstbourne Tarrant Primary School coming in third place.

"All the pupils seemed to enjoy themselves and put a lot of effort into the competition," said the rural tournament organiser Sarah Eaton.

It was a successful day for Anton Junior School in the town schools tournament held at Anton Junior School when the Anton A and Anton B teams were declared joint winners, drawing three apiece in the final. The Anton C team reached the semi-finals along with St John the Baptist Primary School and Balksbury Junior School.

Anton Junior School teacher, Bree House, said: "Everyone from the town schools did really well and they all had an excellent afternoon."