The Pennant Hills carnival, hosted by Hills District Netball Association, brought together teams from as far afield as Sydney, Mudgee, Orange and Bathurst.

Westlakes’ 13s had a very successful carnival with five wins from seven games.

Co-coach Sharon Nayler was impressed.

“We played championship teams today with two losses against top-of-the-ladder teams. The girls weren’t expected to win these two games but still played hard and never gave up,” she said.

“The wins the girls had were played with great, intense, hard netball. We are very proud of how the team has come together and we can’t wait for the state age championships.”

Westlakes’ 14s also had a good carnival, winning three of seven games against some very tough opposition.

Despite the losses, the girls played impressive defensive and attacking netball and were beaten by the narrowest of margins against the Sydney heavy hitters.

Coach Tracy Baldock was thrilled with the way the girls played, particularly after a few recent upsets at other carnivals.

“It was so nice to watch them get it together and play how I knew they could, and to come home feeling happy and confident,” she said.

“They are back!”

The day, although brilliant, wasn’t without its challenges. In a 13s game, a Charlestown player was taken from the court with a dislocated finger, and a friendly kookaburra decided to make the challenge of goal shooting a little more difficult by sitting on the goalpost at a crucial moment (the goal did go in, and no kookaburras were hurt).

Congratulations girls on a superb effort, and good luck at the State Age Championships 2017.