SEVERAL New Forest Juniors swapped their blue and white vests for the green and white of the New Forest Schools' team at the annual Hampshire Schools' Cross-Country Championships on the Isle of Wight.

Noadswood pupil Hayley Pointer achieved their best result of the day, finishing runner-up in the junior girls' age group on a demanding soft and hilly course.

Pointer will now represent Hampshire at their Inter-Counties meet next month on her home soil of Gang Warily.

Fellow Noadswood pupil Charlotte Bates also secured a county place with a well-deserved 13th in the same race, while Shelley Longden (Hounsdown) was 22nd and Charlotte Walsh (Hardley) 23rd to complete a good team score.

For the intermediate girls, Priestlands' Charlotte Marsden had her best run to date, making sure of county selection with 11th place in a very competitive age group. Jade Davies (Noadswood) was 20th, Jo Foote (Hounsdown) 26th, Abigail Hackston (Noadswood) 27th and Nikki Scott (Applemore) 36th.

Jessica McMonagle came 14th in the senior girls' age-group, followed by fellow Noadswood pupil Sarah Hackston in 21st. The club had just two boys running in the intermediate race - Matt Scarfe (Applemore) was 21st and Laurence Bowen (Applemore) 45th.

"The whole New Forest team not only competed well, but their behaviour throughout the day was exemplary and a great credit to both their schools and parents," said NFJ chairman Tim Wilding.

Parents of youngsters from eight upwards, who are interested in athletics, can ring Wilding on 023 8084 8914 for details.