IT was a step too far for Coulsdon Church of England Primary School as their mixed team suffered three defeats in four games at the National POP lacrosse finals in Hatfield last weekend.

Having qualified for the event through winning both their local Woodcote group and the London regional tournament, Coulsdon went into the national stage at the University of Hertfordshire with confidence.

But they lost two of their first three matches, to Hale Prep (Cheshire) and St Peter's School, and drew with St Mary's (Kent) in between.

Level on points and on goal difference in third place, Coulsdon were edged out on the toss of a coin and so went into the Plate competition where they lost a very close game to Heathbrook (north London) and were knocked out.

Despite that, the children played very well on the day and the school remains proud of them for getting to the national finals.

Coulsdon team: Daniel Harrington, Robert Urquhart, Henry Beck, Charlie Hill, Abigail Smart, Danica Owen-Davidson, Chloe Marrable.