LOWER Stratton runner Ciaran Cooper fired the perfect response to the Wiltshire Schools selectors with two superb performances in five days, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Controversially left out of the county squad for what would have been his final appearance at the England Schools’ Championships in Gateshead last week, 800m runner Cooper hit back with a superb personal best of one minute 51.91secs in Watford, followed by an impressive victory at the South West Inter Counties Championships in Exeter.

His Watford time lifted him to 15th in the UK Rankings for Under 20 men – the best in the South West – and was faster than the winner of the senior boys’ race in Gateshead.

“I think I have proved a point to the Wiltshire selectors that they made a mistake in not taking me to the English Schools’ Champs,” said Cooper, who is a member of Swindon Harriers.

“They reckoned I was not in form but there were only five days between Gateshead and Watford and I knew I was in the form of my life.

“I am not saying I would have won it or anything but I am sure I could have done well and made the final. But the event has gone now and I can’t dwell on the past.”

Cooper followed up the PB by successfully defending his title at Exeter, where he ran a well-judged tactical race for victory in a time of 1:53.72.

“I proved I can not only run fast but also do well in championship races as well,” added Cooper.

“It was a good week and I am pretty pleased with the way it has gone.”

Unfortunately, there was a setback for Bryan Clinton’s coaching group as fellow Swindon Harrier Will Crisp was disqualified in the Under 17 men’s 800m .

“Will won the race but was disqualified as the judges reckoned he barged someone out of the way but that wasn’t the case,” explained Cooper.

“We appealed against the decision but they were having none of it.”