SIX East Lancashire youngsters represented their county at the English Schools North West Combined Events Regional Finals at Crewe last weekend.

Hyndburn AC trio William Moynihan, Marnie Shirtcliffe and Josh Blysnuik were also joined by Blackburn Harriers siblings Polly Pearse and Joseph Pearce, as well as Pendle’s Natrika Wildman.

Joseph Pearse was the top achiever at the Cumberland Sports Ground, coming second out of 11 in the intermediate boys octathlon.

The Clitheroe Royal Grammar School student was outside of the top three places after four rounds, but his performances in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot and 1,500m took him to the runners-up spot.

His youngster sister Polly had to settle for ninth spot in the junior girls pentathlon, one place ahead of Wildman. They both competed in the 75m hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump and 800m.

Moynihan, of St Christopher’s High School, came sixth in the junior boys pentathlon which includes the same disciplines as the girls, but 80m hurdles instead of 75m.

Blysnuik, of St Wilfrid’s High School, competed in the senior boys decathlon and had a fantastic weekend, achieving eight personal bests out of the 10 events.

He finished second in the shot put and the pole vault, before winning in the 1500m with a time of 4.38.4 minutes to get third overall in the competition.

Shirtcliffe, of St Christopher’s, competed in a very strong intermediate girls heptathlon field and finished eighth overall.

gary.york@nqnw.co.uk