ATHLETICS: A QUARTET of young athletes from Halton & Frodsham Harriers have helped Cheshire Under 11s girls to a landmark victory in regional competition.

Claire Perry, Danielle Wood, Erin Sykes and Sophia Smith were among six promising performers from the club to compete in the indoor event at Robin Park in Wigan.

Frodsham also had Matthew Gabbott and Luke Dawson chosen for the Under 11 county boys' team at the Norwich Union Fun in Athletics Festival.

But it was the girls who made the main headlines by earning Cheshire an inaugural victory at this annual event.

The tournament involved nine very strong teams from areas and counties in the North West.

Cheshire boys finished a creditable third place - only seven points behind the winners.

The Halton & Frodsham athletes' call-up came after solid performances by the club's junior age group sides in the latest round of the NW Sportshall League at King-sway Leisure Centre in Widnes.

In the U11s age group, Claire Perry had second places in the two and four-lap races.

Danielle Wood was also second in her four-lap race, and scored in the two lap and in the chest push.

Sophie Barlow was fourth in the chest-push event, and with Erin Kelly gained further valuable match points.

The U11s boys' squad comprised James Crosby, Chris Potter, Luke Dawson, Jacob White and Matthew Gabbott.

Matthew had a splendid afternoon with a second place in the standing long jump, and thirds for the standing triple jump, and the two-lap race.

Aoife Haymer had a good win for the U13s girls in the speed bounce, and an excellent second in the sixlap event.

Corrine Swash, Meggie Parry, Amelia Connor, and Samantha France made up the relay team, which finished third in a close race.

Amelia was also fourth in her two-lap race

Emma Percival, Shanice Siley, Emily Garner, Shannon Axon, Alex Kelly and twins Nicola and Kirsty Garner also gained good match points in their various events.

With a team of just three members, the U13s boys showed their all-round talents for a well-deserved third place.

David Tomlin scooped bronze in the speed bounce and also standing triple jump, and scored in the twolap race.

Andrew Perry finished a fast third in the two-lap race and competed in the tough six-lap event.

Andrew also backed up Nathan Dawson in the standing long jump, the latter claiming second-place points in this event.

Nathan also snatched third in the six-lap race and scored in the shot put.

The U15s girls team had to contend with strong opposition but turned in a good effort to finish fourth.

Zoe Andrews, Rachael Wilson, Grace Martin, and Karis Burnett made up the relay squad, which finished third. Katherine Andrews, Lauren O'Neill, and Lorna Goldsmith completed the scoring team.