KATIE Atkinson and Matthew Kenneth produced sparkling performances to secure individual victories in the North East of England Schools Cross County Championships at Preston Park, Stockton.

Atkinson powered home in the junior girls race and helped Skipton Girls High School win the team event which means they now qualify for the National Finals at Newquay on November 29.

She was backed up by Lucy Fryers who finished third, Emily Jones, who was sixth, and Ruby Firth who came home eight to give them an impressive total of 18 points. Angelina Bairstow and Eleanor Root were the non-scoring team members in 13th and 14th place respectively.

Ermysted’s Kenneth gained his victory in the junior boys race and his team also qualified for the finals in Cornwall after finishing second with 28 points.

Harvey Lewis fourth, Louis Hudson 11th and Will Thompson 12th were the other points scorers. Jonny Thompson and Charlie Wood were 16th and 17th out of 72 finishers.

Kenneth had not previously won a race for his school despite going close on a number of occasions. However, he put that right with some style as he pulled through on the first big lap to take the lead and although he never completely broke the opposition, he did build a big enough gap to enjoy the run in.

Ermysted's intermediate boys, recently crowned North Yorkshire champions, produced a battling performance to secure second place to qualify for the national finals.

Jimmy Lund, in his last year in this competition, led the challenge. He was on the heels of the leaders for the first lap and ran on well for fourth place.

Sam and Ben Jackson were both challenging for a top ten place early on but looked to be falling back on the second lap of three. However, they both got a second wind and ran on well to stay in contention.

Ben was strong up the final hill and still had a sprint finish left as he came tenth. Sam was close behind but a clump of runners between him and Ben meant he was 15th.

Patric Valentine and Alfie Spain have tremendous stamina. Early on they were about half way through the 72 runners but by the third lap they were pushing into the top 20.

Valentine completed the team in 18th with Spain19th. Ermysted's final runner Patrick Ralphson came 27th. Their total of 37 was just behind the winners' 42 points.