RORY Howorth was a victim of a bit of argy-bargee at the start of the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships but has vowed to come back fighting next year, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Not literally, of course, but the 12-year-old St Augustine’s Catholic College student saw enough to know that he will need to be more forceful when, all being well, he returns in 2016 to make his bid to qualify for the England ream.

“It is one of the first major races I have competed in with such a big field (341 runners) and against some boys who were much bigger than me,” said Howorth, who lives in Hilperton.

“I wasn’t used to that and it was pretty tough at the start with pushing and shoving.”

As a result Howorth didn’t get the best of starts and was effectively playing catch-up thereafter. That he moved powerfully through the field to finish 19th on his debut was remarkable and has left him eagerly anticipating the re-match.

“After a quarter of a mile I reckon I was back in the 70s to 100so I had to really work hard to get back up the field,” added Howorth.

“That result has given me a lot of encouragement for next year. I won’t let that (being pushed around at the start) happen again. I will need to be a bit more aggressive.

“But overall it was a great experience to stay with the Wiltshire team over-night in a hotel and the team managers were brilliant.”

Unfortunately it wasn’t such a good day for his older twin brothers Robert and John as they could only finish 154th and 289th respectively.

Howorth’s top 20 finish was the best result by a Wiltshire runner at Witton Country Park just one place better than Malmesbury School’s Zoe Wassell in the inter girls’ event.

“That is my highest ever position so I am pretty pleased with that,” said Wassell.

“I ran as hard as I could and gave it my best on the day which is all I could do.”

Sheldon School’s Gemma Shepherd has been one of Wiltshire’s most consistent performers at this event in recent years and the 17-year-old didn’t disappoint as she came 23rd at her first attempt in the senor girls’ age group.

In her previous four attempts the Yatesbury-based runner had placed 30th, 22nd, 11th and 31st which is an enviable record.

Melksham Oak School’s Will Stockley enjoyed his best result of 29th in a top quality inter boys’ race and Corsham School’s Jade Littlechild also made the top fifty of the junior girls’ event.

There were also top 100 finishes for St Laurence School’s Jade Nickerson (45th junior boys), Caitlin Wosika (92nd inters) of Joh of Gaunt and South Wilts Grammar’s Abigail Burn (83rd seniors).

English Schools’ Cross Country Championships, Blackburn

Senior Boys: 176 Ethan Jones; 252 Jay Painter; 253 David Bunce; 286 Jacob Payne; 299 Kieran Grant.

Intermediate Boys: 22 Wilts 820pts: 29 Will Stockley; 104 Josh Shuter; 133 Freddie Webb; 154 Sam Steventon; 191 Jaymee Domoney; 209 Henry Dixon; 289 John Howorth.

Junior Boys: 27th Wilts 857pts: 19 Rory Howorth; 45 Jade Nickerson; 126 Finley Lloyd-Gilmour; 143 Jonah Veakins; 232 Daniel Poynting; 318 Ethan Pierce; 338 Robert Croager.

Senior Girls: 32 Wilts1042pt: 23 Gemma Sheppard;167 Kirsty Stanley; 179 Miranda King; 195 Jasmine Thayer; 200 Elen Lindsay; 278 Emily Neve; 291 Issy Dickson.

Intermediate Girls: 34 Wilts 1164pts: 20 Zoe Wassell; 92 Caitlin Wosika; 164 Yasmin Watling; 281 Lucy Buffham;289 Chloe Crippen; 318 Jade Day; 322 Kirstie Roberts; 324 Unknown.

Junior Girls: 39 Wilts 1236pts: 43 Jade Littlechild; 83 Abigail Burn; 239 Louise Webb; 254 Coco Smythe; 301 Lucy Fitzpatrick; 316 Caroline Brenchley; 324 Ella Malik; 338 Becky Service.