CRANBOURNE Business and Enterprise College students Beth Chilvers and Jo Morris helped Hampshire maintain an oustanding record by winning the English Schools Under-16 Girls Championship on Monday.

In the final they beat Leicestershire 3-2 after extra time at Bournemouth's Dean Court ground.

Hampshire, making a sixth final appearance in the competition's eight-year history, last year shared the trophy with Merseyside, after a 2-2 draw at Chesterfield that followed outright wins in 1999 and 2000.

Leicestershire started the stronger team and deserved their lead after nine minutes.

Hampshire's first real opportunity came when Kelly Sims' shot rebounded off the near post.

Hampshire wasted little time after the break before drawing level when Molly Clarke drove home after 30 seconds.

Hampshire then controlled the game for long periods without taking the lead.

Leicestershire always looked dangerous but the teams remained locked at 1-1, so extra time was needed.

With three minutes of extra time played, Hampshire gained a corner and after several shots from the forwards, Ciara Allan found the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Cherelle Khassal ran at the defence and drew the goalkeeper off her line before lobbing the ball over her head to put Hampshire 3-1 ahead.

Leicestershire battled back and pulled a goal back in the last minute of the first half but Hampshire remained strong at the back and kept the visitors at bay to win the trophy outright.

It was very much a team performance which left managers Vanessa Raynbird and Neil Cleaver well satisfied.

Hampshire squad: Ciara Allan (Sandown), Kirby Anderson (Sholing), Beth Chilvers (Cranbourne), Molly Clarke (St Luke's), Rose Glendinning (Cams Hill), Jade Holes, Leigh Holes (both Romsey), Sophie Jackson (Sandown), Isobel Kent (Cantell), Cherelle Khassal (Cowes), Kayleigh Merritt (Bay House), Jo Morris (Cranbourne), Stacey Parkinson (Bitterne Park), Jana Schofield (St Anne's), Kelly Sims (Hounsdown), Alice Wheeler (Hamble), Kimberley Williams (Miltoncross).

First published: Thursday, May 11, 2006