LEIGH St Mary’s under 18s girls’ team have reached for the National Water Polo Finals at Oundle on March 12.

They progressed unbeaten in second place from their qualifying matches at the Pelican Centre in Tyldesley.

St Mary’s defeated King's High School from Warwick 5-1, with goals from Steph Whittaker, three, Jessica Robb and Daisy Lear.

They then came back from 3-0 down to draw with Manchester, Whiitaker scoring her second hat-trick including the leveller with 50 seconds remaining.

St Mary’s needed at least a draw in their final match against Kesteven and Grantham.

Two goals from Kate Rowland and another from Whittaker put the Leigh school 3-2 ahead at half time.

Kesteven roared in front 4-3 but Whittaker came to the rescue again with a minute left left on the clock.