THE combined effect of hilly and boggy terrain took a heavy toll on the race courses at the South West inter counties cross country championships as one third of competitors failed to reach the finishing line.

But there was no forfeiting at Bicton College, Devon from City of Salisbury’s Abigail Burn. The impressive runner was unfazed by the chaos around her and ploughed through the heavy going to take an outstanding third place in the under 13s girls’ race.

Another star of the day for Wiltshire, who took on Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset, was Rose Warren.

At just 11 years old and still a primary school student, she found herself competing against girls up to two years older than her, yet still came an excellent 30th. For company, her clubmate Louise Webb marked the huge improvements she has achieved in recent months and took 26th spot. Tash Mundell did well to make 43rd.

Josh Shuter is having his best year at cross country and came 13th in the under 15s, and Jay Domoney was 26th in the competitive under 17s.

Alex Mundell was short of the necessary hill training but still came a good fourth in the under 20s and 23rd in the senior ladies’ event.

Among the vets category, Sarah Warren made her Wiltshire county debut and finished in a commendable 51st position.

This weekend sees more cross country challenges with a resumption of the Hampshire league series at Reading and the county schools championships at the aptly named Grittleton near Chippenham.