Canon Lee School have won the York and District Intermediate girls' cross-country event for the first time in their history.

Year 10 pupils Asha Hibbert, Louise Bonnie and Kerry Waterworth, along with Julie Atkinson from Year 11, overcame muddy, slippery conditions on Knavesmire to win the trophy.

Asha finished second behind last year's North Yorkshire champion, Aimee Collett, who rushed to the start from a mock exam. Waterworth was fourth, Bonnie ninth and Atkinson 20th for a combined score of 35.

Ten days previously Hibbert, Waterworth and Bonnie, plus Leanne Schofield from Year 9, finished a creditable 16th overall in the National Schools' cross-country championships at Tadcaster.

In the year 7 event on Knavesmire St Olave's Emma Macalister-Hall and Nina Batt (Tadcaster) soon dominated the race, running most of the distance together.

In the last quarter Macalister-Hall produced an impressive change of pace, pulling away for a clear victory to lead St Olaves to a narrow team win over Tadcaster.

The Junior race was dominated by Tadcaster.

Nicola Lampard made a decisive charge from the start, opening up a lead which she maintained comfortably. She was followed by team-mates Lisa Collett and Kate Hollier.

Despite the prospect of a wet and muddy course, all three age groups attracted their biggest entry in recent years, a total of 280 girls taking part.

The leading runners in all age groups now prepare for the friendly against the East Riding on Saturday, January 13, and then the North Yorkshire Schools' Championships at Tadcaster GS on Saturday, January 20. Anyone who has lost their team letter can ring 01937 581165.