Southend High School for boys surpassed themselves when the final of this year's English Schools Cross-Country Cup was staged at the Hartford Campus in Northwich, Cheshire.

For they won both junior and intermediate team titles in sensational style on 70 points to add to their superb record in the competition.

Double delight - Southend High School for Boys celebrate their epic twin triumph in the English Schools Cross-Country Cup with Southend Council sports co-ordinator Peter Melville-Rose (left) and headmaster Michael Frampton Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

The intermediates win was a clear triumph by 20 points with the Adam Hickey leading the way in 15 mins. 03 secs with superb backing from Southend AC team-mates David Crichton (eighth 16.07) and Peter Smale (24th 16.43).

Nicholas Rawling (37th 16.58) completed the scoring team with their line-up's other runners being by Tom Locke (65th 17.29) and Adam Ward (91st 17.56).

The individual win completed a remarkable sequence for Hickey which has seen him triumph in each of the four years of national finals he has been eligible for. This is his last season in the competition.

Hockley's Greensward College took ninth place in the intermediates with 146 points and their solid display was led by Neal Birnie (tenth, 16.17), twin brother Alex (33rd, 16.55), Lloyd Wilson (36th, 16.57) and Chris Archer (67th, 17.31).

Published Friday, December 13, 2002

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