WILL BATTERSHILL and Poppy Tank both claimed victories for Devon at the South West Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Cheltenham at the weekend.

Great Britain youth international Battershill won the senior boys’ category at a muddy Pittville Park.

The Ivybridge Community College pupil, who runs for Erme Valley Harriers, clocked 23 minutes and 17 seconds to beat Somerset’s Luke Prior (23.31) to the title.

Plymouth College pupil Tank, who competes at club level for City of Plymouth AC, edged out her big local rival Tess Masselink for the senior girls’ crown.

Tank and Tavistock AC’s Cornwall athlete Masselink have been having some good battles this season.

At Cheltenham, Tank, who finished fourth at last year’s English Schools’ Championships, won by 14 seconds, clocking 16.03 minutes, with Callington Community College’s Masselink coming home second in 16.17. Dorest’s Serena O’Connor was third in 16.35.

Battershill and Tank were Devon’s only winners. However, there was a silver medal for Megan Hamilton-Strong in the minor girls’ race and a bronze for Tor Swann in the minor boys’ event. Swann finished just ahead of fellow Devon runner Harry Stone, who came fourth.

Full results from the South West Schools’ event can be found HERE