JADE Littlechild is the new Gloucestershire Cross Country League U17 women’s champion, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 16-year-old Corsham School student wrapped up the overall prize for the 2016/17 campaign thanks to an emphatic victory in the fourth and final fixture in Cheltenham.

With the overall positions based on a runner’s best three results, Littlechild ended the season with a total of five points thanks to two second places and that final victory, to edge out closest rival Niamh Powell, of Gloucester AC, by just two points.

“I felt quite nervous on Saturday as I had been away for a week and also had a slight hamstring strain, so I started steady with the group and then just began to stride out and got clear,’’ she said.

“It was really nice to win the last race and secure the overall title and I really enjoyed the event.”

Victory was also the perfect confidence booster for Littlechild after she suffered the disappointment of just missing out on a medal in her last outing at the South West Schools Championships in Truro, although fourth was also a fine effort.

“It is back to training now to prepare for the Inter-Counties (March 11) and the English Schools’ Championships (March 18),” she added.

The final league race around Pittville Park also saw an unexpected victory for Chippenham Harriers’ James Wright, who finished third but was promoted to top spot after Cheltenham Harriers’ Luke Kearns and James Mundinano were disqualified after missing the start but joining in with the race already under way. Clubmate Rohan Archer was sixth.

Former Malmesbury School student Zoe Wassell took victory in the senior women’s race.