Whitecross and St Mary’s in Herefordshire go through to H&W Athletics Finals at Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester

The two schools won through in Herefordshire's first Year 7 indoor athletics schools league.

Whitecross and St Mary's saw off the challenge of Hereford Academy and Kingstone during two city pool events hosted by Kingstone in November and at St Mary's in January.

In the North Pool, Minster College and Tenbury High came through despite a really close fight with Lady Hawkins and Lucton in the pool stages held at Tenbury and Minster.

Athletes contested a series of field events and took part in team relay races on the track.

The top two from each pool then came forward to the county finals at Whitecross.

The hosts showed their all-round strength by dominating both girls and boys track events and carrying off the top track award as they did in the previous two pool events.

In the field events, Minster pupil John Hill was the best boy on two out of three of the events with Whitecross' Jack Chambers topping the final event, closely followed by St Mary's Harri John.

In the girls' field events St Mary's duo Lucy Critchard and Hollie Price both had commanding performances along with Whitecross trio Georgia Mason, Emma Stevens and Jess Martin.

Peter Reed, the competition manager for Herefordshire School Sport Partnerships said: " Sportshall Athletics is a fantastic concept and something that can go ahead in the dark winter months where outdoor games are at a minimum.

"All eight schools involved in this pilot competition have really embraced the events and we have seen a fantastic level of athletic ability.

"The basic athletic principles used in the competition really lend themselves to the general development of any athlete and help build a basic foundation of athleticism that is vital in a wide range of sports and physical activity.

"In Whitecross and St Mary's we have two very talented year groups that, I'm very confident, stand a great chance in the Hereford & Worcester finals next month."

Hereford & County Athletics Club were also on hand at the county finals, supporting events and offering feedback on techniques and information on joining their club based at Hereford Leisure Centre.

Whitecross and St Mary's will go up against four Worcestershire schools at Perdiswell to battle for the chance to compete at the regional championship in Birmingham two weeks later.

Members of the St Mary's squad were Alec Jones, Rhodri Whittaker, Seb Fry, David Ling, Matt Jones, Max Cotterall, Harri John, Connor Kearns and Will Jelfs, Elisha Owen, Hollie Price, Chelsie Whiltshire, Lydia Stansbury, Millie Manning, Lucy Critchard, Rebecca Young and Beatrice Gittoes.

Winners Whitecross were, back row (left to right) Aimee Lewis (Sports Leader), Alex Williams, Carlos Moriera, Tom Hussy, Jack Chambers, James Rouse, Blake Mills, Aaron Finch, Ruairah Wood and Sarah Reed (Sports Leader); front:Tilly Kendall, Georgia Mason, Emma Stevens, Emily Campbell, Madeline McRae, Loran Adcock, Jess Martin and Lucy Lock.