A superb 56-48 triumph in Bristol has seen Greensward College's under-15 girls - who've won the title for the past two years - through to the national schools basketball cup final stages once again.

They now travel to take on seven other top teams to fight for the crown in Rochdale, Lancashire, on the weekend of February 3-4.

Catch cricket courses

The South Essex Cricket Board, as in previous years, will be running coaching evenings for children of all ages after Christmas.

All centres will be staffed with fully qualified coaches and organisers are hoping that the recent heroics of Nasser Hussain's England team in Pakistan will give their efforts a major boost in numbers.

For boys of junior school age, sessions at St Thomas Moore School, Westcliff, will be held on Friday evenings from January 5 until April 6. There will be two blank weeks - February 23 and one to be advised in March. Cost for the full 12-week course is £20 and John Wade on 01268 773585 has full details.

At Bromfords School, Wickford, Dave Letch, on 01268 287416 is the man to contact. Coaching is on Sunday afternoons from January 7 for 12 weeks. Sessions between 4 and 5pm are for newcomers with 5-6pm set aside for those comfortable with practice with a hard cricket ball.

Terry Hills (01375 840944) is in charge of training at Grays School. Sunday evening dates start on January 14 for ten weeks from 5-7pm and the introductory courses are for those new to the game.

To emphasise the fact that cricket for the fair sex is here to stay, special sessions for girls of senior school age are being organised. These are at St Thomas More on January 5 between 9 and 10pm and the cost is again £20 for 12 weeks.

Wade is the contact here and Hills should be phoned for details on a special introductory girls' cricket session being held at Grays School on January 14 between 3.30 and 5pm.

For boys of senior school age, Fitzwimarc School, Rayleigh, is the venue for a nine-week course running on Thursday evenings from January 11 and March 8. Under-11s to 13s will be catered for from 7-8.30pm and under-14s to 16s from 8.30-10pm. Cost is £20 and Wade is again the contact.

At Beauchamps School, Wickford, senior school girls and boys will be provided for on Friday evenings from January 12 for 12 weeks. These sessions are for youngsters of under-12 and 13 age groups and will run from 6-8pm. Letch is the man to contact here.

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