Borders 54

Edinburgh 50

Borders 65

Aberdeen 31

FOLLOWING play offs in September, the best eight U17 District netball squads in Scotland were placed in a Performance League, to get the highest possible standards of play.

With one win against East Renfrewshire already secured, Borders travelled to East Kilbride on Saturday to play a gruelling two full-length matches against the remaining teams in their pool.

And their match against Edinburgh proved to be a nail-biter, with an early lead by Borders gradually whittled down and the match too close to call until the final minute.

Euphoria from the victory helped to overcome the immense fatigue amongst the small squad of nine, and following an hour or so of rest, Borders were back on court to face Aberdeen’s elite.

Aberdeen put up a strong performance in the early stages, with the score remaining tight, but Borders gradually pulled away, buoyed on by the lure of an overall pool win.

Three wins from three in their Performance League pool is an exceptional result for a small, rural squad.

Borders awaits confirmation of the other pool winner, most likely Glasgow A, whom they will play in March for the overall Scottish District title.

Borders U17s: Rianna Sterricks (Capt), Jess Wodehouse (Vice Capt), Emma Raeburn, Emma Saxon, Lucy Gray, Sophie Walpole, Ellie O’Hara, Lucy Sked (all Peebles Netball), Caris Brus (Gala Tempest).