GOSFORD Hill School were crowned Oxfordshire Under 16 girls basketball champions with a nerve-jangling 31-30 victory over Cheney (Oxford).

With five minutes to go in the final at Abingdon’s White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Gosford held an 11-point lead.

But Cheney whittled the deficit away, and with Gosford having captain Emily Moore and Georgie Richings fouled out of the game with three minutes to go, they were hanging on when the final whistle was finally blown, so the celebrations could start.

Gosford’s triumph was built on excellent defence with Rebecca Smith and Richings to the fore, while Moore and Annette Cooper were the leading scorers.

There was also a notable display from Charley Groves, from the age group three years below her teammates.