Bartholomew's under 16 girls badminton team, from Eynsham, served up a thrilling success in the southern region inter-schools competition at Bradfield College, Berkshire.

The tournament was played on a group basis - and Bartholomew's team of Kathryn Wilson, Emily Fisk, Louise Kemp and Holly Clyne tied with Thorndale and Royal Latin, Buckingham.

They were also level on games won, and Bartholomew and Royal Latin were still inseparable on points scored with 283 to Thorndale's 267.

And so it came down to the result of the match between Bartholomew and Royal Latin, which the Eynsham school won.

Now they go forward to the national final in Derby on Thursday, April 24.

Bartholomew had been 2-0 down in their opening game against Royal Latin.

But Fisk turned the match around by winning her singles 21-18, and then Bartholomew took the final two doubles.

The decider saw Fisk and Clyne triumph 21-18, which ultimately proved crucial.

Bartholomew then lost 3-2 to Thorndale before whitewashing Uckfield 5-0.

The Eynsham school represented Oxfordshire in all four age groups, having completed a clean sweep of the titles at the county tournament.

Bartholomew's under 16 boys finished runners-up to Thorndale, last year's national champions, having won four of their five matches.

In the under 14 events, Bartholomew's two teams won just one match each.