Jane Connolly

BASINGSTOKE girls Rebecca Jane and Beth Connolly helped Hampshire under-16s complete a hat-trick of English Schools titles at the County Ground, Swindon.

Jane, a pupil at Aldworth Science College, scored the only goal of the match against Leicestershire in the annual inter-county final.

It was the ideal send-off for 16-year-old Jane, from Kempshott, who travels to Geneva today with England for the European under-17 championships.

In Switzerland, her England team will face France in the semi-finals, where victory will earn them a crack against the winners of Germany and Denmark in the final.

Jane said: "I am really looking forward to it, but it is not going to be easy as we have been told the French are quite good."

The current Basingstoke and Deane junior sportswoman of the year was delighted to finish her two seasons playing for Hamp-shire with the winning goal.

The teenager said: "It was def-initely nice to sign off with the winning goal. All I remember about it was that the ball came to me and I slid it under the goal-keeper. I think we deserved to win."

It was Hampshire's eighth final appearance in the 10-year history of the competition.

They shared the trophy with Merseyside in 2005 and won it the next two years - against Leic-estershire and then West York-shire, under the management team of Vanessa Raynbird and Neil Cleaver.

There was an early scare for Hampshire when Lysette Russell and goalkeeper Nicky Beck were beaten by Leicestershire's Kirsty Farnsworth on the edge of the penalty area and the striker was able to slot the ball between them.

However, Russell recovered quickly and managed it clear the ball just feet from the line.

At the other end, Hampshire's Rosie Goodship tried to chip from distance the Leicestershire goal-keeper, who was off her line. The ball rebounded off the bar into the retreating 'keeper's arms, however.

Hampshire played some good football without reward until 10 minutes into the second half, when the ball was slotted through to Jane and the England player showed her class to give the 'keeper no chance.

In a goalmouth scramble near the end, Beck made an excellent save with her feet to keep a clean sheet and preserve the Hamp-shire lead.

Cranbourne Business and Enterprise student Connolly and Jane played in last year's final against West Yorkshire, where Jane hit an equalising goal for Hampshire.

10:22am Friday 16th May 2008

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