AN Ilminster school is celebrating taking part in the finals of a national dodgeball championship in Stoke-in-Trent, where they reached the round of 16.

Year six pupils from Swanmead Community School played three games at the Fenton Manor Sport Complex on Thursday, June 23. 

A spokesperson for Swanmead Community School said: “We had a great day in Stoke for the National Dodgeball Finals.

“We qualified back in January so it has been a long wait! We played three games in the group stages, winning one and losing two. 

“However, other results meant we finished second in the group on number of sets won.”

This meant they qualified to play in the round of 16 to play against Juniper Hill, a school from Buckinghamshire. 

The spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, we lost 8-4, but it meant we finished as one of the 16 best schools in England out of the 230 who initially entered the regional competitions.

“A great achievement – congratulations to Rusty, Olaf, Daniel, Wilf, Charlie, Jack, Caiden, Harvey, Maria, Holly and also Harrison, who played in the regional round!”