KING Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, are in the sporting news this week in a term which has already kicked off with some notable performances.

Sharpness in front of goal was the key factor as the Lytham school met Australian opposition in the form of the Melbourne Girls Sports Association.

Lytham captain Karen Lowe brought an outstanding save from her opposite number Alex Fordham (both pictured) and this proved to be the pattern of the game.

Vicky Turner went close for Lytham from a short corner, but the home defence found the Australian forwards too quick as Camille King and Liz Glover gave the visitors a 2-0 half time lead.

Fordham made several more saves in the second half in a top class display as Renee Hodges and Georgina Kenley added two more for the Melbourne girls.

Lytham coach Claire Huggon praised her team's efforts: "It was a good match in cold conditions, but the Australians gave us a sharp lesson on the need to take goal chances," she said. Elsewhere, the cross country teams from the Lytham school will be aiming to be in the medals in the final race of the Stanley Park series on Sunday (January 9).

Good individual performances from Nick Hamilton, Jon Robinson and Matthew Appleby have been backed up by strong team efforts in the previous races.

In the U13 girls Emily Wildon has been in fine form and will hope to clinch the silver medal position.

Lytham coach Jon Lees will be stepping up the team training at the start of the new term.

He said: "Several of our runners, notably Andrew Jones and Scott Newburn, will be aiming to make the Blackpool District side competing in the county schools' championships in February."

In addition, fellow rugby players at the school have been congratulating one of their outstanding prospects on winning a Lancashire School's cap.

Wing forward Daniel Glynn is in his first season of senior rugby at the Lytham school and his tremendous form has been rewarded with selection for the Lancashire U16 squad.

The senior coach at King Edward's Phil Rudd said: "It's a great honour to win a Lancashire cap and I am sure playing with top quality players will be a boost to Daniel's own confidence.

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