WILL Stockley ensured his England debut was a memorable one as he was crowned British Schools’ champion in the 1500m steeplechase at the weekend, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 16-year-old Melksham Oak School student from Semington boldly took charge of the race in Grangemouth early on and blew away his rivals with a forceful display of front-running.

Stockley had already vowed to avenge his defeat to teammate James Beeks, who beat him to the English Schools’ title the previous weekend, and he delivered on that pledge and then revealed that some helpful advice from his grandmother Margaret Stockley, who lives in Hawkeridge, played a part in his victory.

“My gran and grandad (Terry) were both former athletes and my gran used to do the hurdles, so she gave me some tips on my hurdling technique, which I used in the race,” said Stockley.

“They also came up to support me, along with my mum and dad (Jacqueline and Neil), so that was nice.”

Stockley shot into the lead early on and at one stage, had opened up a five-second lead. He crossed the line in 4mins 27.89secs, which was just outside his best of 4:26.80, which he set the previous weekend.

“I could have probably broke my PB again but once I knew I was going to win, I eased up a bit and decided to enjoy the moment,” admitted Stockley.

Trowbridge athlete William Browne cleared a personal best of 5.45m to win the U15 boys’ long jump and was also fourth in the 200m and sixth in the 100m.

Hilperton’s Robert Howorth clocked a best of 4:15.30 in the U17s 1500m and Sheldon School’s Louis Torto sprinted to new best times of 11.49secs in the U17s 100m and 22.63secs in the 200m.

Meanwhile, John of Gaunt School student Hayden Bailey, from Bratton, followed up his bronze medal at the English Schools’ with double gold at the South West Inter Counties at the Exeter Arena.

The 14-year-old Matravers School pupil cruised to victory in the 800m and then set a personal best of 4:10.37 to win the 1500m, a U15/17 combined race, to put him top of the UK U15 rankings.

“It was a great race in hot conditions, with other fantastic athletes from every corner of the south west, without whom I would not have been pushed to achieve such a great time,’’ he said.