FROM grassroots to glory is the slogan, and the Lancashire under-15 girls team grabbed their first taste of success in the Norwich Union Sports Hall Athletics National Finals at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

The team had become the first Lancashire squad to represent the North West in ten years of competition, and they exceeded expectations by winning two silver medals and finishing fifth of 16 teams.

The six girl team included four from East Lancashire - Laura Finucane, Sally Targett and Nikala Smith all from Pendle Athletic Club, and Charlotte Baron from Hyndburn Athletic Club.

Preston Harriers' pairing of Laura Ridley and Kelly Brookes completed the squad line-up.

It was very much a team effort as everyone had to compete in four events - a run, a jump, a throw and a relay, but it was Laura Finucane who won two medals.

First she took individual silver in the four lap just two-tenths of a second behind the gold medallist, then she combined with Sally Targett to win another silver in the paarlauf (two girl relay).

The medals were presented by the new World Indoor 400m champion Daniel Caines who described the level of competition as "phenomenal."

Finucane has been competing in Sports Hall athletics since she was 11, but for her and two other team members it was their last competition as they have reached the upper age limit.

She is the Lancashire champion at 800m and at cross country and has set the English Schools entry standard at 800m. She has also been selected for the English Catholic Schools team who will spend a week at Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, from July 18 to 25.

Brewster at his best in Bolton

ROGER Brewster was the winning veteran for the second time in ten days when he finished fourth in the Bolton 10K in 32:16.

Matt Moorhouse led Salford Harriers to a 1-2-3 to take the team prize, with Clayton second through Brewster, Mark Theaker in 12th, and Paul Targett 25th.

Clayton ladies team went one better as Vanessa Peacock third, Melinda Wilkinson-Walsh 11th and Anna Kelly 12th made up the winning team. Peacock was also first F45 home, while Accrington Road Runner Brian Scully was first in the M60. Accrington's Andy Bailey set a personal best of 47:16.

No beating Hart

TEENAGER Chris Hart had an extraordinary run in the third Bunny Run Fell Race at Keighley.

The Burnley 15-year-old not only took the under-16 class, but also finished fifth outright ahead of seasoned campaigners like Clayton Harriers Garry Wilkinson (10th), Shaun Livesey (16th) and Craig Watson (18th).

Burnley's Danielle Walker was third under-16 in her first Bunny Run at the age of 12 behind winner Laura Livesey of Chorley AC.

Bingley pair Ian Holmes and Pauline Munro were the race winners, with Holmes defeating John Taylor for the first time this series.

Perfect match

HUSBAND and wife Gerard and Christine Navan, from Rossendale Harriers, were the Over-55 prize winners at the Phil Roberts 4.3 mile road race at Rochdale.

Gerard had to hold off the challenge of Darwen Dasher Brian Tull to win by a single second, while Dasher Linda Clarkson finished 5th lady.

Craig Watson, of Clayton, was sixth man with John Wright, of Todmorden, seventh and Peter Dibb from Clitheroe took the M65 title.

Presentation

THE presentation for last year's Inter Club Championships was made at this year's opening race.

Two Red Rose Road Runners, Blackburn-based athletes Paul Mounsey and Will Garner,were among the prize winners in the competition which is for clubs around the Preston area.

Mounsey was second in the M45, with Garner sixth overall.

Other Red Rose successes were David Hooton, from Houghton, third in the M45 and Joyce Orritt, from Preston, who won the F50 class.

Flyer changes

THE Lancashire Flyer Duathlon on Sunday, May 6, has a new venue at West Pimbo, Skelmersdale which has direct access from the M58.

It consists of 2x4K runs separated by a 25K bike ride.

There are still a few places available, contact John Schofield for further details on 01254-723029.

Park pair beat the odds in North-East

PARK High School athletes Louise Dickinson and Charlotte Bickerstaffe had to contend with gale force headwinds in the home straight at Gateshead on Sunday.

Dickinson still won the under-15s 100m and 200m, while Charlotte showed her best form when finishing fifth of 25 in the 800m.

At Macclesfield Emma Hornsby, of Pendle, set a PB of 1.05m in the under 11 high jump and finished third in the 200m.

Results from the Mid-Lancs Meeting at Wigan will be included next week.