OPHELIA Pye produced the most dominant display of front-running in the Kennet Schools’ Cross Country Championships staged at Marlborough College, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The Dauntsey’s School newcomer was in a class of her own in the minor girls’ age group race, finishing an astonishing 54 seconds clear of teammate Eliza Hill with another Dauntsey’s runner, Talia Eastlake, third to complete an impressive clean sweep.

In stark contrast, the minor boys’ event saw the closest finish of the day with Lavington’s Ben Jones just five seconds clear of St John’s Douglas Rogan Rea with Dauntsey’s Ed Tabor third.

In gold medal terms St Johns and Daunstey’s ended the day tied on two each from the six races – no senior age group races were held – with Lavington and Marlborough picking up the other two titles.

Reigning Wiltshire Schools’ 1500m champion Dan Davis of St John’s, who is also a member of Marlborough & District Juniors, enjoyed a comfortable win in the inter boys race as the recently turned 16-year-old finished 41 seconds ahead of team-mate Dan Pate with Gabriel Deller completing a clean sweep for the Marlborough school.

St John’s also came out on top in the inter girls’ race with 1-year-old Katie McQue, who is a talented all-rounder on the track, too strong for Marlborough’s Lara Smyth-Osbourne. Dauntsey’s Virginia Jacobs was third.

Dauntsey’s 14-year-old Will Morris, who is new to the sport this year, looked impressive in finishing 36 seconds ahead of team-mate James Pickford in the junior boys’ event while the junior girls’ title went to 13-year-old Sophie Smith.

“The standard was high in all races, especially given the muddy conditions as there was a torrential downpour just before the first race,” said organiser Julian Lloyd, of Marlborough College.

The top ten finishers in each age group will now go on to represent Kennet at the Wiltshire Schools’ Championships scheduled for Saturday January 14th at Sheldon School.

Kennet Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Marlborough College, Inter boys: 1 Dan Davis (SJ) 17:33; 2 Dan Pate (SJ) 18:14; 3 Gabriel Deller (SJ) 19:00; 4 Oscar Palmer (DA); 5 Adam Hunter (D); 6 Tayte Cooper (L); 7 Oliver Dougal (SJ); 8 Joe Price (SJ); 9 Arran Bailey (SJ); 10 Dylan Newing-Moore (L).

Junior boys: 1 Will Morris (DA) 14:36; 2 James Pickford (DA) 15:12; 3 Ollie Jones (DA) 15:44; 4 Alfie Dawson (SJ); 5 Ben Smith (SJ); 6 Buster Plumb (L); 7 Harry Findlay (SJ); 8 Alasdair Edington (DA); 9 Dan Wood (DA); 10 Sam Otway (D).

Minor boys: 1 Ben Jones (L) 11:35; 2 Douglas Rogan Rea (SJ) 11:40; 3 Ed Tabor (DA) 11:44; 4 Lewis Williams (W); 5 George Gibbons (SJ); 6 Joe Pensotti (SJ); 7 Sam Ineson (SJ); 8 Joe Wickeden (DA); 9 Luke Roberts-Phare (L); 10 Owen Charlie (DA).

Inter girls: 1 Katie McQue (SJ) 16:55; 2 Catriona Edington (DA); 17:10; 3 Karla Jackson (SJ) 17:15; 4 Maddie George (DA); 5 Molly Griffiths (SJ).

Junior girls: 1 Sophie Smith (M) 11:23; 2 Lara Smyth-Osbourne (M) 11:46; 3 Virginia Jacobs (DA) 11:52; 4 Ella Ford (SJ); 5 Beth Mayer (SJ); 6 Cammy Lauze (SJ); 7 Florence Evenden (DA); 8 Issie Burn (DA); 9 Lily Jackson (SJ); 10 Sasha Broadhead (DA).

Minor girls: 1 Ophelia Pye (DA) 7:29; 2 Eliza Hill (DA) 8:23; 3Talia Eastlake (DA) 8:26; 4 Maisie Allen (SJ); 5 Sydney Evenden (DA); 6 Eleanor Waker (DA);7 Mollie Morris (SJ); 8 Helen Bourne (DA); 9 Rosie Burn (DA); 10 Georgia Facer (DA).

KEY: (D=Devizes; DA=Dauntseys; L=Lavington; MC= Marlborough College; SJ=St.John’s; WA=Wellington Academy).