JADE Littlechild again showed she is becoming adept at producing her best on the big occasion with a fine result in the New Balance English Schools’ Cross Country Championships, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The flat, super-fast course at the Norfolk County Showground, near Norwich, didn’t suit Littlechild but the 16-year-old Corsham School student dug in to finish 40th, one of the best results of the Wiltshire squad at the event.

That was a huge improvement on her 82nd place as a first year inter girl last year and three places higher than she achieved as a junior but nonetheless Littlechild wasn’t entirely happy.

“I was actually hoping to finish higher and thought the top 30 was realistic this year,” said Littlechild.

“The course wasn’t ideal for me and I would have preferred a little more mud and some hills. It was a real test and felt like a sprint all the way.

“But it is halfway higher than last year so that is a big leap so I cannot complain too much. Now I have two years in the senior age group and hopefully I can continue my improvement.”

Saturday’s performance comes at the end of an excellent season for the Team Bath AC teenager. She won the Wiltshire Schools’ title for the first time and followed that up with fourth place in the South West Championships.

Carline Brenchley was just ahead of her to win the bronze medal in the inter girls’ race at Truro School but on Saturday the 16-year-old St Mary’s School student. from Calne. found herself back in 110th place and second county scorer.

“It has definitely been my best season and winning my first Wiltshire Schools’ title at Sheldon School was the highlight and winning the Gloucestershire League title overall was a nice surprise,” added Littlechild.

“The hard training has paid off and now hopefully this summer I can qualify for the national schools’ on the track although I have GCSEs and they will have to take priority.”

Molly Gibbins, of Marlborough College, ran well to finish 29th in the senior girls’ race.

Highest finisher in the boys’ race was Salisbury’s Jaymee Domoney (45th in the seniors) while Dauntsey’s School student Will Morris was 75th on his debut in the event.

New Balance English Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Norwich Wiltshire results

Senior girls: 29 Molly Gibbins 14:14.

Teams: 36th Wiltshire 1383pts: 29 Gibbins; 222 Natalie Pidgeon; 274 Alice Uloth; 277 Chloe Crippen; 290 Jess Tregoning; 291 Emma Pike; 295 Kiera Reavill.

Inter girls: 40 Jade Littlechild (W) 13:30.

Teams: 36th Wiltshire 1146pts: 40 Littlechild; 110 Caroline Brenchley; 208 Sophie Capel; 221 Isobel Horsfield; 271 Davina Gray; 296 Catriona Edington; 297 Lucy Fitzpatrick; 317 Maddie George.

Junior girls: 34th Wiltshire 1205pts: 127 Katie Robinson; 157 Olivia Roderick; 200 Ori Cranston; 220 Sophie Smith; 232 Anna Payne; 269 Imogen Tanner; 277 Susannah Hirst; 279Ayla Tonkin.

Senior boys: 30th Wiltshire 1020pts: 45 Jaymee Domoney; 158 Dan Shepherd; 176 Freddie Webb; 187 Cameron Perkins; 211 Elliot Lassiter; 243 Fabrice Webb; 263 Mark Poynting; 304 Atticus Pawson.

Inter boys: 33rd Wiltshire 1137pts: 105 Otto Copping; 144 Ethan Pierce; 197 Charlie Stockley; 201 James Wright; 215 Dan Davis; 275 Daniel Poynting; 315 Niall Thorne; 316 Rohan Archer.

Junior boys: 26 Wiltshire 929pts: 75 Will Morris; 91 Patrick Mochan; 139 Robert Jones; 157Jack Latus; 200 James Gordon; 267 Fergal Brophy; 309 Harry Cunningham; 319 Dan Grant.