RORY Howorth produced a superb performance in the Somerset Schools & County AA Combined Event Championships held at Millfield School, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 15-year-old Team Bath England international all-rounder won every single event of the U17 men’s octathlon setting six personal bests and equalling a seventh with a powerful display that saw him lead the two-day event from start to finish.

Moreover his final points tally of 5401 points for the eight disciplines places him to 13th on the UK All-Time Rankings for U17 men.

That gave Howorth, from Hilperton, plenty to celebrate as he looks forward to a successful summer but typically the St Augustine’s College student was left frustrated at failing to hit one of his targets.

“I was just 18 points off breaking the UK Age 15 best for the octathlon so hopefully I can beat that when I do my next octathlon at the South West Schools’ Championships,” said Howorth.

“That will be my last chance as I turn 16 soon after that.”

Howorth opened the competition with a PB of 6.57 in the long jump and from that point on never looked back as his rivals trailed in his wake.

“That long jump effort was also over the English Schools’ qualifying standard of 6.45m so I was very happy with that,” added Howorth.

He then added PBs of 34.54m in the discus and 42.85m in the javelin before ending day one with an outdoor best of 51.41secs in the 400m.

Day two followed a similar pattern with an impressive PB of 16.67secs in the 100m hurdles, despite running into a strong headwind, before equalling his PB of 1.83 in the high jump.

Another PB of 12.90m in the shop strengthened his grip on the lead before he clocked a swift 4mins 13.15secs to win the 1550m in a rousing finale.

“It was a really good competition for me and shows that my training has been going really well,” added Howorth.

Training partner Will Scammell, who is a student at Lavington School, did really well to finish sixth on his octathlon debut as the 14-year-old scored 3827pts.

“William is a first year U17 so this was a great result especially as it was only the second time he has picked up a javelin and the first time he had thrown a discus!” said coach Julie Alexander, who also advises Howorth.

In the junior boys’ competition Westbury-based athlete Fraser Middleton, who is also at St Augustine’s, showed promise with fifth place.

Middleton finished on a high to move up one place in the final event of the day, the 800m, after four solid performances had seen him occupy sixth spot until that point.

Somerset Schools & County AA Combined Event Championships, Millfield School – inter boys: 1 Rory Howorth 5401pts (Long jump: 6.57m; Discus: 34.54m; Javelin: 42.85m; 400m: 51.41secs; 100m hurdles (-3.1w): 14.67secs; High jump: 1.83m; Shot: 12.90m; 1500m: 4mins 13.15secs). 6 Will Scammell 3827 (5.69m; 29.29m; 29.42m; 54.07secs; 16.22secs; 1.62m; 9.47m; 5:24.67).

Junior boys: 5 Fraser Middleton (Wilts) 2036pts (80H: 14.13secs; Shot: 7.59m; Long jump: 5.01m; High jump: 1.43m; 800m: 2mins 18.11secs).