Girls from Samuel Whitbread Community College in Clifton enjoyed the experience of competing for the first time at the national badminton finals. The Year 10/11 girls team comprising Natasha Bolding, Christann Galang, Georgina Hurry, Amy Dales and Rebecc

Girls from Samuel Whitbread Community College in Clifton enjoyed the experience of competing for the first time at the national badminton finals.

The Year 10/11 girls' team comprising Natasha Bolding, Christann Galang, Georgina Hurry, Amy Dales and Rebecca Smith travelled to Derby to take on seven of the best schools in the country.

The girls were representing East Anglia after winning through the district, county and regional rounds.

They were drawn in the same league as the Surrey, Dorset and Yorkshire champions.

Up against the best players in the country who were there to represent their schools, they lost to eventual champs Surrey and Yorkshire with both sides having county players as well as the England number one present.

Samuel Whitbread showed their team spirit and determination in beating the Dorset winners 3-2.

Due to the points scored throughout the day, the girls finished as the fifth best school in the country.

Through the success of these girls, Samuel Whitbread will become a badminton academy and a focus for providing badminton talent in Bedfordshire.

Jimmy Hart from the school's PE department said: "They are by far the most successful team that Samuel Whitbread has ever produced and didn't let themselves down on the national stage.

"Congratulations girls; fifth best in the country is an outstanding achievement and all at Samuel Whitbread are very proud of you.