BROMSGROVE Bears Women were flying high after seeing off Royal Air Force 68-49.

With five of the under-16s girls stepping up to play in the game, the Bromsgrove fielded a youthful side.

However, combined with experience, the team’s extra pace and fitness made proved to be the difference.

Bears pulled away slightly in the first quarter and headed into the second with a 10-point lead.

The RAF clung on all the way to the buzzer for the second period but going into the third they just could not keep up with the Bears, who went on to secure victory in the final quarter.

Jessica Cooper and Catrina Yang top-scored with 22 points, while Dawn Hall hit nine.

The under-16s also provided a stiff test for National League table-toppers Hertfordshire, losing 92-42 at South Bromsgrove High School.

Bears managed to stay close to Herts in the first three quarters, trailing by 15 points going into the fourth period, but their opponents stepped it up to seal the win.

Against Northamptonshire, the under-16s were just edged out 51-45 in a close-fought battle.

Bromsgrove were frustrated when Northants changed to a zonal defence, which nullified their speedy breaks.

Amelia Parchment and Yang were joint top-scorers with 12 points each for Bromsgrove.

Coach Carys Hall said: “This type of defence does not let the girls at this level or age group show their individual or team skill.

“To play against a zone defence for 40 minutes shows that the other team just cannot compete with our girls on a one-to-one level.”

The local league team, which contains many under-16s side players, got the better of Shropshire Warriors 92-53, with Cooper top-scoring 26 points.

They also saw off West Midlands Police with a 30-point winning margin.

On Saturday, the National League under-16s girls take on Bucks Hornets at South Bromsgrove High School (noon start).

The club are sponsored by The Grapevine Public House and Bromsgrove District Housing Trust.