MORPETH BOYS MAKE PODIUM IN CORNWALL

The Senior Boys from Morpeth’s King Edward VI school made the finishing podium at the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final at Newquay in Cornwall on Saturday with a commendable third place finish.
Facing competition from all over the country, the Under 17 squad, all members of Morpeth Harriers coached by Mike Bateman, were led home by Bertie Marr, 14th out of 145 finishers.
The team count of four (101 points) was then made up by Will De Vere-Owen (20th), Liam Roche (25th) and Matthew Walton (42nd), with further supporting runs by Ryan Davies (59th) and James Tilley (60th).
Travelling a lot further than their rivals – and to a town more associated with surfing than cross country - the boys had been given the Friday off school to make the 450-mile journey, and were then met with some very muddy and wet conditions, as well as the prospect of a long journey back and a return home in the small hours.
Thankfully, they were able to call on the support of travelling parents and organisers of the trip, Richard Marr, Julie Roche and Mark Davies.
Leading grammar and public schools from the South were in first and second place, with Judd School of Tonbridge, Kent the overall winner (45 points) and Abingdon School, Oxfordshire in second place (74).