BLACKBURN Harriers coach Arthur Almond reckons that his under 17 boys are the best crop of youngsters he has coached.

In the Lancashire Road Relays they entered two teams and finished first and second.

Robert and Liam Barton are identical twins. Both are ranked in the top 30 in the country in their events, and still have another year in their age group. Robert has run 9.08 for 3000 metres, and Liam 4.39 for the 1500 metres steeplechase, both as 15-year-olds. Liam was also second in the Lancashire Schools Championships, beaten by a boy a year older.

Jonathan O'Dea has already run 2.00 for 800 metres, and was fifth in the Irish National Championships. Recently he was second in the Junior Great North Run, despite not being able to start at the front of the large field.

Completing the Harriers squad are Mark Emmett, Glen Garrett and Ben Fish. The team currently lead the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League, and are hoping to clinch the team prize on Saturday at Lancaster.

Three other outstanding prospects have just left the under 17 group, Matthew Neild, Matt Huxley and Nick Samuels. Matt Huxley was the junior winner in the David Staff fell race and Nick Samuels was first junior in the Clitheroe 10K race, and at the Frank Davies 5K at Littleborough on New Year's Day.

Both teams have become Lancashire Champions after their success in the Cross Country Championships last Saturday. Following those performances, Neild, Huxley, Samuels, Liam and Robert Barton and O'Dea have all been chosen to run for Lancashire in the Inter-Counties, and Ben Fish has been shortlisted for selection.

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