IN most events finishing first is enough but at the Lancashire Schools’ Championships, held at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on Saturday, the top athletes were also looking to make the county team for the English Schools’ Championships.

To be confident of selection for the event in Gateshead, due to take place on July 1 and 2, not only would they have to win, but would have to hit the English Schools’ standard.

Five local athletes succeeded on both counts and a sixth, Lee Blundell from Chorley, exceeded the required 52 metres in the intermediate boys’ javelin throw but was only second.

The selectors have the discretion to choose more than one athlete in each event and he will be one of many sweating on the outcome of their deliberations, as they may also choose those close to their marks provided extra places are available.

Luke Penswick of Queen Elizabeth’s in Blackburn should be safe after winning the junior boys’ 800m in 2mins 5.6secs but in the girls’ section it was the field athletes who starred.

Marnie Shirtcliffe of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley team took the junior girls’ javelin title with 31.38m, while Rhiann Beamont of Chorley won the same event in the intermediate age band with 38.62m, which is graded as an even higher national standard.

She is currently ranked ninth U17 in the country.

Megan Searson, who competes for Blackburn Harriers, threw the hammer 37.68m to win the senior girls’ event in her first year in the age group.

The defending English champion Micaela Brindle, who hails from Chorley, is set to be picked in the senior long jump after winning the intermediate title last year.

Local winners

Junior Boys: Luke Penswick (Blackburn) 800m 2:05.6, William Murray (Hynd/RV) javelin 42.43m.

Inter Boys: Reece Clark (Hynd/RV) 1500m 4:21.0, Connor Makin (Ross) 400m hurdles 1:04.2, Joe Pearse (Hynd/RV) high jump 1.75m, C Chamnankit (Pendle) long jump 6.08m, Lee Blundell (Chorley) javelin 52.04m (second place).

Senior Boys: James Blackburn (Hynd/RV) 400m 51.7 and triple jump 12.72m, Chris Matthews (Blackburn) 800m 1:55.4 Junior Girls: Charlotte Bolton (Hynd/RV) 100m 13.0, Amy Moran (Burnley) 800m 2:20.9, Laura Taylor (Chorley) 75m hurdles 12.0, Marnie Shirtcliffe (Hynd/RV) javelin 31.38m.

Inter Girls: Helena Leathley (Blackburn) 300m hurdles 47.6, Abigail Bleasdale (Chorley) pole vault 2.30m, Rhiann Beamont (Chorley) javelin 38.62m National Standard.

Senior Girls: Rachel Calow (Hynd/RV) 1500m 6:07.1, Beckie Taylor (Blackburn) 3000m 11:00, Jodie Farnworth (South Ribble) high jump 1.57m, Micaela Brindle (South Ribble) long jump 5.55m, Charlotte Beech (Pendle) shot 9.62m and discus 31.46m, Megan Season (South Ribble) hammer 37.68m.