Six athletes at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools achieved impressive top-10 finishes at Chepstow in the Gwent Cross Country League.

Harry, Henry, Freya , Oliver, Jess and Rhys took the plaudits for the schools in the penultimate race of this season’s competition.

But there was a very healthy representation from the schools’ youngsters on a long and testing course at Chepstow Racecourse on Saturday 8th February.

Year 8 pupil, Harry, secured the runners-up spot in a keenly-contested Under-13 Boys’ race.

Harry shone against 84 other youngsters over the 2.6km distance and was beaten by a long-standing cross-country rival from Carmarthen Harriers.

Henry finished an excellent sixth in the Under-15 Boys’ race and was followed by fellow Year 9 pupil, Oliver, who took seventh place.

Henry is eighth overall in the series and Oliver Lloyd, 12th. Year 10 pupil, Rhys, also put in a strong performance over the 3.8km course and was ninth out of 59 runners.

Year 8 pupil, Freya, was also in superb form and finished seventh out of 72 athletes in the Under-13 Girls’ race. She was excellent over the 2.6km distance and is now 10th overall in the series.

Jess was the stand-out performer in the Novice Girls’ event, finishing ninth, while three other Monmouth runners were inside the top 25.

Lara was 20th, Carys, 21st, and Romy, 24th. Kezia was 43rd and Seren , 85th, as all the girls ran with determination and drive.

The girls’ A team posted a tally of 74 points and were the fourth team out of 41 on the day. They have now moved up to seventh overall in the standings.

The schools’ runners in the Novice Boys’ section have been plagued by injury this season.

John was not able to finish the previous race after twisting his ankle and then being stepped on by another athlete.

Despite twisting his ankle this time, Matthew, managed to cross the line after being helped in the final 400m by team-mate, Oliver.

Matthew finished in 80th and one place in front of Oliver, who showed tremendous sportsmanship and team spirit to carry his friend over the line.

John had a fine race and led the way for Monmouth, finishing 15th, while Josh was 58th, Will, 59th, and Billy, 68th.

There were also committed and commendable runs from Seb (72nd), Tom (90th), Monty (96th), Jake (99th) and Oliver (105th).

The final race in the Gwent Cross Country League series takes place at Singleton Park in Swansea on Sunday 1st March.