ST Augustine’s Catholic College of Trowbridge has enjoyed a flying start to the new cross country season, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Both the school’s inter and junior boys’ squads have qualified to take part in the South West Regional finals of the English Schools’ Cross Country Cup competition next month.

In a hotly-contested qualifying match held at Millfield Prep School, Glastonbury and featuring some strong schools from Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset, both teams made the podium to book their place in the next round.

In addition St Augustine’s also had the honour of providing the individual winners in both races as Rory Howorth raced to victory in the junior boys’ age group and older brother Robert won the inter boys’ event.

In the latter Robert was backed up by twin brother John in fifth, Henry Dixon seventh and Edward Austin 19th as St Augustine’s scored 32 points to finish just five points behind champions Millfield School.

In the junior race Rory was given strong support by James Gordon, Akshay Babu and Will Browne to secure third place behind Millfield Prep and Bishop Wordsworth Grammar, Salisbury.

Jacob Alsop, Ivor Russell and Edward Cooke also took part but didn’t make the scoring team on this occasion.

Both teams will now go forward to represent St Augustine’s Catholic College at the regional finals on Saturday, November 8 at King’s College, Taunton.