IT WAS a case of so near and yet so far for Team Southampton's up-and-coming cross-country prospect Louise Webb at the Saucony English National Championships at Birmingham's Crofton Park.

Competing in the under-15 girls' category, the Shirley-based athlete ran strongly from the start and motored into fourth place by the top of the steep hill that marked the halfway point of the race.

From there she edged up to third, but was eventually pushed back into fourth spot, a tantalising six seconds behind second-placed athlete Jessica Coulson of Stockport.

The 4k race was won by Webb's Hampshire rival Charlott Purdue of Aldershot, Farnham & District in 15 minutes and 43 seconds.

Although slightly disappointed not to get into the medals, Webb can take heart from a fine run at the end of a long cross-country season. The result was all the more encouraging considering she still has another year to go in her age-group.

Despite another of their star under-15 runners, Rebecca Gough, being ruled out by illness, Team Southampton managed a creditable 21st team place thanks to solid back-up from Rio Brookes-Gibb (116th), Katrina Brace (216th) and Kay Shafford (227th) in a big field of 285 runners.

The under-17 women also ran well as a team, finishing 12th overall.

The Mucci sisters, Sasha and Domi, were 51st and 103rd respectively and sandwiched between was Lucy Bowers, who finished 82nd from a 180-strong field.

Team Southampton's under-15 boys also managed 12th team place on a tough, undulating course, led home by Scott Gallant in 82nd and Scott Legg in 99th.

For the junior women, Laura Brenton had another good run to finish 19th on a bright, chilly day in the Midlands, while Alex Wall-Clarke was 61st for the junior men.

The club have one last cross-country fixture remaining this season in the Wessex League at Wimborne on March 13, but several Team Southampton athletes will be hoping to shine in the English Schools' Championships in Norwich (March 12) and the UK Inter-Counties in Nottingham (March 5). Results:

Under13 boys: M Nottingham 63rd, M Campbell 189th, S Campbell 245th.

Under-13 girls: A Parnell 282nd.

Under-15 boys (team 12th): S Gallant 82nd, S Legg 99th, J Knapp 136th, P Batten 138th, L Mucci 264th, C Thompson 264th.

Under-15 girls (team 21st): L Webb 4th, R Brookes Gibb 116th, K Brace 216th, K Shafford 227th.

Under-17 men: R North 56th, C Hamp 97th, J Slade 181st.

Under-17 women (team 12th): S Mucci 51st, L Bowers 82nd, D Mucci 103rd, C Thompson 121st, C Benning 138th.

Under-20 men: A Wall-Clarke 61st.

Under-20 women: L Brenton 19th, C Gallant 102nd.