BEACONSFIELD High are the second best school side in the country and that's official.

Their Under 16 side finished runners-up to Millfield School in the national finals after qualifying as Southern Region winners.

They then played the winners of the other regions in a round robin tournament, against the likes of specialist sports school Millfield, and came out second after a great performance.

Head of PE Cherry Harding was proud of the girls' efforts.

She said: "They've worked really, really hard. We're very proud of them."

The team beat Millfield 2-0 in their first game but couldn't keep up the momentum to win the championship and had to settle for second.

Harding said: "Last year in the U15 quarterfinal, we lost out in extra time and penalty flicks to Millfield so we had a score to settle.

"I was totally elated after we won but I think the team didn't come down off that high and we lost a couple of games after that.

"But, as it happened, nobody managed to catch up with us."

She added: "We took a coachload of 44 girls to support and they were very vociferous throughout.

"We've never ever reached a national final before in hockey so to come away with a silver medal is fantastic."

Harding also paid tribute to coaches, Claire Priestley and Neil Archer, for the work they put in.

She said: "They were just incredible."

For two of the players, this was the second silver medal in less than four months.

Earlier in December, Emily Dillon and Joanne Dodd won superb silver medals after competing in the English School's Cup Cross-Country Championships.

MARLOW Ladies won the championship on Saturday and are now looking to go through the season unbeaten.

They trounced Windsor II 5-0 in Division Two of the Trysports Three Counties League to go straight back up after being relegated last year.

Captain Helen North said: "It's a great feeling to know that we have won it and that no-one can catch us. We have worked so hard as a team and it is extra special after going down last year. Now we want to make sure we finish the season unbeaten."

Liz Clegg opened the scoring to wake Marlow out of their initial slumbers, and Tracy Finch scored a trademark goal to put Marlow 2-0 up at the interval.

After the break, Marlow picked up the pace, with goals from Susie Jones and Tash Smith before Finch added her second to make it five.

Marlow, who are on course for a league and cup double finish their league season at Gerrards Cross tomorrow and also have a National Vase match at Leek to look forward to the following weekend.

The second team also had a comfortable win, thrashing Reading 6-0, thanks to a four-goal haul for Alex Clee.

HARLOW Seconds clinched promotion on Saturday as they beat Henley IV by an impressive seven goals to nil in their last game of the season in Division Five of the Trysports League.

Some teams still have to play games but none can catch Harlow Ladies, who will finish top of the table with 33 points above Kidlingtona and Wallingford.

Heather Scutchings was Harlow's hero throughout the season, finishing as their top goal scorer with 12 goals.

And she grabbed a hat-trick as Harlow won the championship in style.

They scored six first-half goals to cruise to victory with Clare Penzer and Nadia Amin with a hat-trick getting the other goals.

But Harlow Firsts have had a drought on league points, having gained only one point since Christmas and are now only one game away from the drop.

Once again they were defeated at the weekend this time by one goal from a penalty corner.

Harlow play bottom club Milton Keynes II at Cressex on Saturday (ko 1pm) and are hoping for a last minute escape from relegation.