Turton and Edgworth Prim-ary School have been crowned Blackburn and Darwen netball champions after a thrilling extra time victory against Westholme.

In a dramatic finale to the event held at QEGS, Westholme had appeared as they would emerge as victors until Turton grabbed a late equaliser.

And then in extra time, they held their nerve to score what would be the decisive goal.

Turton and Edgworth will now represent the borough in the National School Games county finals in June. A total of 18 schools took part in this year’s event – 10 of which progressed to the finals night.

Qualifying rounds had been held over three evenings in November.

Schools that reached the final were split in to two groups of five, the winner and runners-up progressing to the knockout stages.

Group one included St Annes, St Paul’s RC, Avondale, Turton and Edgeworth and St Mary and St Josephs.

Turton dominated the group, winning all of their matches to top the table with Avondale finishing in second place.

Longshaw, Salesbury, St Gabriels, St Peters RC and Westholme made up group two.

Again, Westholme were the dominant team, finishing the league with a 100 per cent record. St Peter’s took second spot after beating Longshaw in the final group match.

The group winners took their form in to the semi finals – Turton beating St Peter’s and Westholme winning against Avondale in what were relatively one-sided affairs.

The final proved to be a real nail-biter and a fitting climax to four weeks of netball.

Westholme took an early lead and had chances to increase it but a later equalise meant the match went to extra time where Turton took the honours.

Andrew Mercer, Blackburn and Darwen school games organiser, thanked volunteers for making the event such a success.

He said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Angela Bamber who works at QEGS and also coaches at The West Pennine Netball club for her invaluable assistance in running this competition. “Young Volunteers from St Wilfrids, QEGS, Westholme and St Bedes who also play for West Pennine netball club were a credit to their school and their netball club;.

“They showed patience and had an excellent manner whilst working with the young netball players.”

n West Pennine Netball Club runs sessions for children aged 7-11 on Saturday mornings at Audley Sports and Arts Centre.

Anybody interested in attending should contact Anne Wignall on 07951 229090.