THE first of a brand new inter-schools cross-country competition took place last week at St Peter?s School in Tavistock. Hosted by Tavistock Athletic Club, in conjunction with the Tavistock Area Primary Schools, nine teams took part in the first of the three events in this series. Each school was entitled to put forward six boys and six girls to compete in their separate races and the first four from each school scored points to determine the overall results. Lamerton, Mary Tavy and Brentor, Meavy, Milton Abbot, St Andrew?s, St Peter?s, Tavistock Primary, Walkhampton and Whitchurch all lined up for the races on a cold, blustery and damp Tuesday afternoon. First off were the girls and a close tactical battle developed at the front in the first two laps. Charlotte Herdman, from St Peters?, waited for her moment and sprinted for the tape in the last section of the third lap with school colleague, Emma Champion, not too far behind taking 2nd place. This was a particularly good result for Emma: as a Year 4 she was one of the youngest in the race. Third home for Mary Tavy and Brentor was Morgan Beeley followed by Sophie Bassett from Tavistock Primary and Annie Johnson representing Meavy. The points accrued by the girls put St Peter?s at the top of the girls? league table with Tavistock Primary in 2nd and Whitchurch 3rd. It was the boys? turn next and there was another exciting finish with keen competition for the leading positions. Ben Cunniff finished in style to win the race for St Andrew?s with Milton Abbot?s Sam Eaton taking 2nd and Joshua Anderson, from Walkhampton, coming in 3rd. It took a photo to separate the 4th and 5th positions with Mat McClung just inching it from Peter Page: both from St Peter?s. In the boys? league, St Andrew?s take top spot, closely followed by St Peter?s and Walkhampton taking 3rd. The next meeting is to be hosted by Mary Tavy and Brentor and will take place on February 22. The final meeting is at Meavy on March 22. l Pictured LEFT: winner of the girls? race ? Charlotte Herdman from St Peter?s School. ABOVE: The start of the boys? race.