CUMBRIA'S top school athletes took part in the annual inter-counties invitation cross-country match against the North East at Sedbergh School on Saturday.

Competition was keen as the youngsters negotiated the testing courses that easily cut up following heavy overnight rain and made for slippy underfoot conditions.

The four counties taking part were Cumbria, Northumberland, Cleveland and Durham and there were 384 runners competing in the eight races.

Traditionally Cumbria's youngsters tend to be outclassed by their north-east neighbours where clubs such as Morpeth and Gateshead Harriers focus strongly on youth development.

But the future looks bright for Cumbria as both the minor boys and girls packed well to win their team events.

The top placed Cumbrian youngsters in the boys' race were Adam Pearson and Richard Flint, who finished second and third and they were supported by Matthew Grieve (5th), Liam Robley (8th), Sam Fisher (12th) and Sam Dutton (13th).

Vicky Johnson and Melanie Hyder also finished second and third in the girls' race with Megan Martin (5th), Lydia Chapman (6th), Ellie Wilson (8th), Abbey Foy (9th) in close attendance.

In the junior boys category Cumbria finished fourth despite Oliver Cartwright coming home second while the junior girls were second behind Durham with Laura Park winning and Rosie Stuart placing a creditable fifth.

The intermediate boys were second with Thomas Lewis leading the way for the Cumbrians in fifth position. The race was dominated Cleveland's Ricky Stevenson who galloped around the three laps to win by over a minute.

The inter girls were fourth despite the best efforts of Laura Knox (9th) and Gemma Crowther (12th).

The senior boys were third team with Phil Waite being the highest placed Cumbrian in 12th while in the senior girls' race Kendal's Chloe Rodham made the early running but faded to fifth as the team finished fourth.