JADE Littlechild continued her outstanding record in the North Wiltshire Schools’ Cross Country Championships with yet another victory, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

“I think I have won this race every year since I made my debut in Year Seven,” said Littlechild.

That means the latest victory was win number six for the 16-year-old Corsham School student as she has now won the minor, junior and inter girls’ titles twice.

The most recent success at Grittleton House was one of her toughest yet as Littlechild was pushed hard all the way.

“I was expecting it to be an easy win but suddenly another girl (Caroline Brenchley from St Mary’s Calne) was on my shoulder,” added Littlechild.

“She stuck to me the whole way but I kept calm and with a lot of support on the course from Corsham School runners she finally dropped back a bit.’’ Littlechild will now move onto the Wiltshire Schools’ Championships at Sheldon School, Chippenham, on January 14 and then, if all goes to plan, the South West event at Truro and finally the English Championships.

In contrast fellow Corsham School teammate Otto Copping, who lives in Box, celebrated his first victory in the event at the third time of asking.

“It was a really good race and I was determined to beat Ethan (Pierce of Abbeyfield) as he beat me in the same race last year,” said Copping.

“There were three of us together at the end of first of three laps and I then wound up the pace and opened a gap which I maintained to the finish. I felt strong as my training has been going really well recently.

“I had finished third and second in my previous appearances so it was really nice to finally win it.”

Hardenhuish School had two winners in Cameron Perkins (seniors) and Fergal Brophy (juniors) while in the junior girls’ race Susannah Hirst picked up the individual title and led St Mary’s Calne to team gold.

Other champions were Harrison Cook and Nynka Rucker in the minor age group events.