NYLE Clinton picked up a podium spot as the Wiltshire Schools' Cross-Country Championships finally got the go-ahead at the third time of asking.

The event at Grittleton House School near Chippenham had been postponed two weekends in a row due to poor weather, and there were plenty of relieved athletes when it did finally get underway on Saturday.

New College’s Clinton was the joint-highest finisher from a Swindon school in finishing third in the senior boys in 24:49, some 19 seconds behind the event’s class act, Alex Carter.

Swindon Harrier and Kennet representative Will Ballard was fourth, while Ridgeway pupils Alex Bampton, Matt Raymond and Tom Baskerville all finished in the top 10.

Ridgeway pupil Kieran Garraway was the only Swindon schoolboy to equal Clinton’s achievement in a different category, finishing third in the inter boys in 21:52 and missing out on victory by just five seconds.

Kingsdown's Ciaran Cooper was eighth in the same race.

Jack Townsend was fourth in the minor boys and Toby Lesley followed in just behind in fifth.

There was little success in the girls’ races for Swindon, with Lydiard Park Academy’s Charlie George a rare bright spot as she finished fifth in the inter girls contest in 17:05.

Commonweal’s Freya Jamieson, like George a Swindon Harrier, was 10th in the junior girls category in 15:18.

Those athletes who impressed at the weekend will hope to gain selection for Wiltshire at the English Schools’ Championships in Derbyshire next month.