MOUNT Kelly’s Year 8 girls have won the South West regional round of the English Schools Athletics Association National Cross Country Cup 2016.

They had already won the first round at Newquay, beating all other competing Devon and Cornwall schools.

Last Saturday they showed true camaraderie and sheer grit and determination in what was a very competitive field on a dreary and muddy day at King’s College, Taunton.

They rose to the challenge and won first place with a clear margin of 53 points against some much larger schools including Millfield Prep, Salisbury Grammar and Bournemouth.

Well done to Bella Hodges, Olivia Lee, Sophie Main, Amelia Riggott, Persephone Sparrow and Charlotte Tilney. Next stop for the team is national cup finals in Formby on December 3.