New Forest Juniors had three runners representing Hampshire in the English Schools' Cross-Country Championships, held at a cold and blustery Norwich County Showground.

Hayley Pointer and Charlotte Bates finished 103rd and 121st respectively in the intermediate girls' race, while Laura Pankhurst had a fine run to take 83rd in the senior girls' event. Both races had around 300 finishers.

The following day the Juniors travelled to Ferndown for the final fixture of the Wessex Cross-Country League season.

Alice Cole enhanced her growing reputation for front-running en route to a well-deserved third place in the under-13 girls' race, while Gemma Knell - in her first year of running - was 14th.

Another first-year athlete Stephanie Smallwood was 19th and Michelle Powell was 28th on her debut appearance.

Chris Loader finished 26th in the under-13 boys' event, while Becky Knell finished strongly as eighth under-15 girls.

Four under-13 boys turned out for the final fixture of the series at cold and windy Ferndown, led home by Alex Millen in 11th spot. Fred Young 18th, Calum Bressington 23rd and Stuart Phillips 27th followed to claim third team place overall.

The under-15 boys also strode away with team bronze thanks to Adam Hicks and Gareth Phillips, who finished the season strongly in ninth and 13th respectively.

For the under-13 girls, Bethany Woodhouse was the first Eastleigh athlete home in 13th place ahead of Melody Young in 31st. Claire Varcoe was 22nd in the under-15 girls' race.

JJ Peters finished a best ever third in the under-11 mixed event, followed by Chad Mansergh in tenth. Nicola Gill was sixth girl and clubmate Elly Henderson came ninth.

Anyone wanting details for Eastleigh's forthcoming track and field season can phone 07709 290156.