THEY may have been new to their netball league, but Northwich Sapphires’ under 11s have taken it by storm.

And after the team sealed the Bury Ball Hall Premier League title, lead coach Gemma Cornes has declared herself “immensely proud.”

The Sapphires, who are based at Hartford High School, have been playing together for two years but this was their first attempt at the fiercely competitive Bury league.

It is their first competition win together, and it may not be the last.

“I’m immensely proud of this team – we were new to the league and worked hard to climb our way up the division,” Cornes said.

“It was a close finish but the determination and focus of the girls paid off.

“We have worked hard on positions and all of the girls have developed their attacking and developing skills.

“The team have really developed an understanding of game play that helped carry us through to the win.”

The team will have further chances for success in the Cheshire Junior Netball League and the Warrington Ball Hall Premier Division.

Squad list (top picture from left to right): Maddie Stubbs, Frankie Potts, Scarlett Knowles, Maddie Maloney, Bea Sunley, Charlotte Talbot-Butler, Evie Cornes, Emmy Tomlinson, Olivia Cliffe, Gemma Cornes (Lead Coach)