The all-conquering basketball girls of Hockley's Greensward School are in for a busy couple of weeks.

The weekend after next they are involved in the national finals of the three by three Sunny D event at Wembley Arena.

Also, on the same weekend, the under-16s go to Watford to take on Rochdale's Sidalmoor School in the All-England final.

Top Greensward name in that team, which will go into action on Saturday March 20, is Louise Gamman, who is just back from playing a star part in the England line-up which triumphed in the Home International Series against Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

More immediate date is this weekend when the under-15 girls are involved in the eight-team All-England finals in Nottingham.

Greensward, who finished runners-up last year and have real hopes of going one better this time, are in an opening pool which also contains Francis Bacon, from Hertfordshire, Romsey, Oxford, and Danecourt, Notts.

Leading the Greensward stars is Vicki Willmore, the England international, who has already tasted National Cup action at under-16 and under-19 level.

South of England players are Danielle Hills and Laura Keys, while Claire Hayward, Hannah Wilhelmy - one of the strongest centers currently in the country - Jo Andrews, Kelly Holmes and Lisa Hammond have all represented Essex.

The squad also includes Tina Gleadall, Gemma Porter, Sarah Arrowsmith, Natalie Payne, Sophie Day, Lindsey Jones and Jo Cornwall, while injured Claire Margerum will act as team manager.

The team are coached by Greensward's Tony Mescall with James Fotheringham as his assistant. Southend High duo make waves

These two swim stars from Southend High School for Girls achieved success in the Essex County Championships at Redbridge.

Samantha Vickery (left), a member of the Borough of Southend Club, took the 200m butterfly title in 2 mins. 38 secs, while Rochford Swim Club's Harriet Adams achieved her success in the 200m individual medley. She had a personal best time of 3 mins. 35 secs.

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Barking blitzed by Southend Boys

Southend High School for Boys put on a winning performance in the annual Barking Abbey School cross-country relays at Barking Park.

The year eight A team of Elliot Paul, David Barclay and Mark Sisson won, thus retaining the trophy they collected in year seven.

To crown a good day the B team of Tim Churchward, Rowan Gilmore and Michael Allen were third, beating every A team bar St Bonaventures, who finished second.

This concluded a good cross-country season for the year eight boys as they finished fifth in the English Schools' national cup final in Redditch in December.

The year seven competition saw the B line-up of Andrew Barclay, Alan Temple and Robert Edmans beat the A team of Jay Smith, Barrie Jones and Daniel Schade into fourth place behind winners Aveline Park.

However, Schade had the consolation of achieving a bronze medal for the third fastest lap of the year seven relay in 7 mins. 58 secs.

(Right) Barking bonanza - for the Southend High line-up of (left to right): Mark Sisson, David Barclay, Michael Allen and Tim Churchward

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.