Orchard Junior School girls sure know how to Bend it Like Beckham after coming top at last week's primary schools sports competition for girls' football.

16 schools sent teams to compete for the dual reward of being crowned New Forest Champions and going forward to represent New Forest District at the Hampshire Mini Games in May. 

Teams competed in four groups before the top placed teams - Orchard, Fordingbridge, Milford and Bartley schools - battled it out for the top honours.

Orchard Junior School were victorious after taking maximum points from their three games with Milford Primary taking the runners up place.

Over 130 girls competed in the competition, watched by a large crowd of teachers and parents.  Hale Primary school - one of the smallest schools in the Forest, entered two teams and took the Fair Play Award for their team spirit and attitude.

Orchard Junior school will now go with Blackfield Junior school to represent the New Forest at this year's Hampshire Mini Games in Southampton.

"Congratulations to Orchard Juniors for a wonderful win," said Cllr Barry Rickman, NFDC's portfolio holder for leisure.

"All the teams showed a very high level of skill and it's fantastic that girls football is taking off so well in the Forest."

The competition was managed by a team of volunteers from New Forest Rangers FC, one of the many New Forest Clubs engaging in the New Forest Girls Football league.

Further information about schools sports can be obtained from Peter Brailey, NFDC's sport and youth development officer, on 023 8028 5268.