GEMMA Phillips claimed a top-ten finish in the English National Cross Country Championships last weekend as Kendal AC Ladies fielded a team for the first time in many years to finish a magnificent 16th in the team event, which brought together nearly 500 athletes from all corners of the country.

Running at Cofton Park in Birmingham on an excellent cross- country course, Gemma showed from the start that she intended to do well.

The pace could only be described as swift as the current European Champion, Hayley Yelling swept all before her to win the race with former European Junior Champion Charlotte Dale in second.

Gemma's seventh place confirmed her as a serious contender for a place in the Great Britain team for the World Championships in Germany next month.

However, much credit must go to Steve and Dianne Priestley who brought together the team of four, which not only finished in 16th place but were also the 5th northern team home in the championships, just two points behind Leeds AC.

Fast-improving Abbi Shields made the journey from Oxford University and finished an excellent 133rd.

Rebecca Cronshaw drove from Nottingham to work hard for an impressive 193rd with Kendal athlete Laura Parson packing well to finish just three places down on Rebecca.

Coniston-born Gemma is now in the final stages of her preparation for the World Championship Trial in Nottingham on March 5 and is still undecided whether to run the 4k or 8k event.

However, at 24 Gemma is the eldest of the group who are targeting the Northern Cross Country Championships over the next few years as a means of achieving medal success.