THOMAS Boardman became the first Leigh Harrier to win the Junior Boys cross-country title at the Greater Manchester Schools Championships at Bolton on Saturday.

Thomas, a pupil of Lowton High School, represented Wigan Schools and was an outstanding winner of an tough, undulating two-lap course at Leverhulme Park. Pulling well clear after the first lap, he crossed the line with 20 seconds to spare to win his first county award.

Alex Urmston gave a creditable performance in finishing 28th with Mike Goddard close behind in 31st spot. Adele Swanton, Leigh Harriers' outstanding Junior Girl athlete, was also on top form as she won the silver medal in the Greater Manchester Schools event.

A pupil of Westleigh High School, she had to battle hard for a medal. With four girls in contention with less than a quarter of a mile to go, she swept through to second place to lead the Wigan Schools team, comprising all Leigh Harriers, to Wigan's only team win of the day.

Lizzy Heaton (8th), Gemma Farley (9th), Amanda Fearnley (10th), Louise Boardman (13th) and Amy Woods (45th) were the winning combination, beating Bolton Schools by 15 points.

In the Inter-Girls race over 3.6k, Toni Bowers won her way through to the English Schools Final with a seventh place. Laura Morris was close behind in 13th.

In the Inter-Boys race Khalid Jagaroo and Jame Gendal, both pupils at Fred Longworth, had a titanic battle for eighth and ninth places, Khalid just edging it. Jamie Hunter finished a creditable 20th in his first championship race.

The English Schools' Championship will take place at Chelmsford in March. Leigh Harriers will be well represented by Thomas Boardman, Adele Swanton, Lizzy Heaton, Gemma Farley, Toni Bowers, Khalid Jugaroo with james Gendal and Amanda Fearnley the first reserves.