Southern Inter Counties, Horspath, Sat 10th September

Six young athletes were selected to represent Essex in this Under 15/17 match on a warm sunny day at Horspath, Oxford, in a highly competitive fixture which has many English Schools champions on show.

Alex Foster was selected for the U15 boys 200 metres. In his heat he made light work of cruising through in first place to ensure his spot in the final later that day.In the final Alex ran a stormer to clinch his first area title in 23.20, just outside his personal best - a fine achievement given that Alex still has next year in this age group.

Natasha Wynn toed the line for the U15 girls 800 metres final alongside three girls who placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the English Schools final back in July. Despite this company Natasha shared the lead on the first lap in 68 seconds and then cut loose with a 33 seconds third 200 metres. To ensure her victory Natasha kicked again to reach the line 25 metres up in 2 mins 13.9. This time was just 8 hundredths off the championship best performance. Like Alex, Natasha has another year in this age group. She is a fine prospect indeed.

Rebecca Wright was returning from injury after being selected for the English Schools Under 15 girls 75 metre hurdles, which she was ruled out of through the injury. In her heat Rebecca placed 2nd in 11.42, just a fraction behind the English Schools champion Leah Wagstaff from Cambridgeshire, after clattering three hurdles. In the final Rebecca ran brilliantly for 2nd behind Wagstaff in 11.37 and with the wind being legal this time it was a PB. Earlier in the day Rebecca placed 6th in the Javelin. Rebecca can now look forward with confidence to the English Schools combined events next weekend at Bedford. Rebecca has worked hard in preparation for this with coaches Tony Jarrett and John Stow.

Thomas Kirkland got his first Essex vest and how well he did in the U15 Boys 300 metres. In his heat Thomas placed 1st in 39.19 to get to the final, and he recorded 38.37 for bronze in the final. Four days earlier Thomas had posted an impressive 2 mins 18 secs at Watford for 800 metres. Thomas also placed 5th in the long jump with 5.54 metres.

Caitlin Hancock received her first Essex call up and so well deserved too. Caitlin is part of that all conquering U15 4 x 300  club record team. In the heat Caitlin secured a final place with 2nd in her heat with 26.69. In the final she ran 26.84 for 4th place.

Emily Caton, part of Alistair Fabian's endurance squad, was selected for Essex in the Under 17s girls 1500m. Emily has been going really well in training recently and she did not disappoint. The first two laps were very slow, leaving it to an all-out final 700 metres. Despite giving a year to most of her rivals Emily placed 7th in 4 mins 57 secs, a good effort so late in the season.

All in all, a fine showing from our athletes who all competed against the best from across the South Of England.