Flexible girls took a national gymnastics competition by storm, battling butterflies to leapfrog into top positions.

Pupils from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and its preparatory school, Inglefield House, had a team in every age group at the Welsh Novice Championships on Monday, November 30, at the National Sport Wales Centre in Cardiff.

The U9s performed with precision and control to finish in first place, with the equally controlled U11s winning second place in their category.

Ceri Crawford, HMSG’s Head of PE and Teacher I/C Gymnastics, said: “The Year 7 team had many girls who had never competed before, and had to overcome nerves and butterflies.

“Performing very well, the team finished in fourth place, missing out on third by 0.70 of a mark.

“The Year 8s and 9s had the strongest category, with over 14 schools in their age group.

“They finished in a sound eighth place.

“All of the teams were a credit to HMSG – I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Over at the Welsh Schools Trampolining Competition, held at Monmouth Leisure Centre at the weekend, Inglefield House and HMSG entered their first ever teams.

The U11s finished in second place, earning a spot in the British Zonal Championships in January.

Kia, 14, came third in the Individual Novice round, also qualifying for the Zonal competition.

The U19 group, formed of Year 10 pupils who have completed a trampolining block as part of their curriculum, had never bounced in a competition before.

Mrs Crawford added: “The U19s competed with confidence and flair.

“They finished in fourth place in the team event, just missing out on a medal.”