ST Mary's School pupils are celebrating a double sporting success.

Youngsters from the Colchester school have excelled in both netball and equestrian events.

Some excellent team-work and some sharp shooting saw St Mary's Year 8 and Year 9 netball teams crowned District Netball League champions.

St Mary’s Year 8 team claimed the title after beating Philip Morant School 8-4 in the final, hosted by St Helena School.

They had progressed from their semi-final after seeing off Colchester County High School for Girls, 11-4.

St Mary’s Year 9 netball team were also crowned champions after beating Colchester County High School for Girls 16-12, in their final.

They had booked their place in the final after beating St Benedict’s 14-5, in their semi-final.

St Mary’s Head of PE Emma Hawkins said: “Our policy is to give as many of our players as possible the chance to represent St Mary’s throughout the rounds of the competition.

“The fact that our teams are able to win District titles while competing against much larger local schools, which have many more students to choose from than St Mary’s, is extremely impressive.”

Meanwhile, St Mary’s riding team won both of the classes they entered at the National Schools Equestrian Association Inter Schools Show Jumping competition at Wix Equestrian Centre.

Adelle Madgwick riding ‘Deep Blue Sea’, Alexa Theinert riding ‘Rosie’ and Molly Whiteford riding ‘Daffy’ won both the 70 centimetre and 80cm show jumping classes.

In the 70cm class, the St Mary’s team achieved three excellent clear rounds, finishing on a zero score.

A fast time meant that the team won the class, with Whiteford also gaining an individual fifth place.

In the 80cm, the team again finished on a zero score with a very fast time placing St Mary’s first again.

Theinert also achieved a second place individually with a very speedy time on ‘Rosie’, while Whiteford gained another fifth place individually.

St Mary’s Riding Team manager Angela Bush said: “The girls were very supportive of each other and a great day was had by all."