An OSWESTRY Olympians youngster proved he was the best-of-the-best in the region after being crowned the Midland Counties champion on Saturday.

Liam Rawlings crossed the line first to win the Midland Counties Under-17 Cross Country Championships.

It was third time lucky for Liam, who finished second in the event last year and the year before.

Competing on a tough, sticky, muddy course at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough the former Corbett School pupil, now studying in Sixth Form at Thomas Telford School, was part of a four-man pack which broke away early into the race.

He stayed in that pack when it became three in the second lap.

Liam was working comfortably within the group until he increased the pace with 500 metres to go reducing the group to two.

He capped a fine tactical race by winning by a clear seven seconds.

Liam has competed with great success for Oswestry Olympians in cross country and track for many years.