BECONTREE Primary School scored in the last seconds to be crowned Barking and Dagenham netball champions after beating Beam Primary 4-3 in a thrilling final. The young star players snatched the primary school cup away from the only team they had not beate

BECONTREE Primary School scored in the last seconds to be crowned Barking and Dagenham netball champions after beating Beam Primary 4-3 in a thrilling final.

The young star players snatched the primary school cup away from the only team they had not beaten in the heats, to win at Barking Abbey School, Sandringham Road, last week.

Coaches and school bosses praised the "hard-working" team from the primary in Stevens Road, Dagenham, which has won the tournament twice in the past four years.

Headteacher Stephen Peacock said: "This is a testament to the girls' hard work and the coaches who work tirelessly encouraging the team."

Coach Maggie Lucas said: "Both teams played dynamically throughout the tournament. We thought it was going to be a 3 - 3 draw until we snatched it away from them."

Barking and Dagenham education cabinet member, Labour Cllr Rocky Gill, added: "Sport is a crucial factor in young people's development and we encourage children to get involved in team sports after school.