THERE was a competitive but friendly sporting spirit among young athletes at West Devon Primary School Sportshall competition, which took place on January 19.

The event was organised by Okehampton Community Recreational Association and assisted by Allan Herdman of Tavistock Athletic Club and Keith and Jayne Reed of the Armada Athletics network.

After heats in Tavistock and Okehampton the top four teams from each area met at Tavistock College to decide the overall West Devon winner to go forward to the county finals.

The field events were led by the excellent Tavistock College young leaders, provided by its PE department.

The boys' team standing long jump was won by Tavistock School, with the individual winners being Jay Richards of Okehampton School, who jumped 1.92 metres, followed by Nathan Prout of Tavistock School and Leon Biaggio of Okehampton School, who cleared 1.84m. The girls' team event was won by South Tawton School. Kate Chapman of Exbourne School produced the biggest jump at 1.9m; Lara Brinsden of St Andrew's School, Buckland Monachorum, jumped 1.68m and Alice Bickley of Whitchurch reached 1.66m.

The speed bounce individual winners were in the boys, first equal, Alex Richardson of St Andrews and Evan Ord of Whitchurch School on 50, with Jonathan Griffiths of St Andrew's third with 49. Katie Chapman led the girls' event with 54; Alice Bickley was second with 52 and Chelsea Paton was third with 50. The boys' team event was won by St Andrew's and the girls by Whitchurch.

The chest push team event was won by Okehampton A boys - the first three individuals being Nathan Prout 8m, Jay Richards 6.5m and Leon Biaggio 6.25m. Okehampton A also won the girls' chest push. Again Katie Chapman of Exbourne won the individual award with a push of 7m, runners up being Elena Prior of St Andrew's and Katie Edwards of Lamerton.

In the vertical jump Katie Chapman made it a clean sweep with a jump of 48cm followed by Charlotte Luke of Tavistock with 44cm and Ruth Anning of Whitchurch with 43cm. St Andrew's won the team event. Tavistock won the team event with Nathan Prout jumping 48cm, Leon Biaggio 44cm and Harry Haithwaite of Exbourne 41cm.

With the points between the top teams close after the field events, Okehampton A surged ahead with excellent performances in the running events. The boys team won the 2x2 laps, six lap parlauf, 4x1 laps and obstacle race. Their girls took the 2x1 lap, 4x1 lap and obstacle race. Tavistock primary boys took second place in the 2x2 laps, six lap parlauf and 4x1 lap. They also won the 2x1 lap. Exbourne girls won the 2x2 laps and came second in the six lap parlauf. Whitchurch girls won the six lap parlauf, South Tawton were second in the 2x1 lap and 2x2 lap and third in the 4x1 lap.

Final scores: 1, Okehampton A with 269 points; 2, St Andrew's on 254pts; 3, Whitchurch on 235pts; 4, Tavistock on 229pts; 5, South Tawton on 221pts; 6, Exbourne on 207pts; 7, Okehampton B on 206pts and 8, Lamerton on 185pts.

Okehampton A go through to the county final, which will be held at The Life Centre, Plymouth on February 23.

Mhairi McCall, on behalf of the organisers, told the Times: 'Thanks are extended to Tavistock PE department for the use of their facilities. Also for the provision of their young sports leaders who were a credit to the college.'