Sisters Elaina and Lizzie Gard from Penair School in Truro were in top form at last weekend's Cornwall Schools' cross-country championships - running strongly over the tough muddy Truro School courses to achieve a unique family double.

In the Year 7 race Lizzie enjoyed a long battle with teammate Clare Regan, before edging ahead in the closing stages to win by three seconds. Elaina, who lined up in the 3.2 kilometre junior girls event, was in the lead from the start. The Penair cross-country specialist was chased by Katie Knowles of Truro School on the opening lap, before opening a significant gap, crossing the line 29 seconds ahead of Katie, to become the day's clearest winner.

Charles Gunning was also a comfortable winner in the Year 7 race. The Poltair youngster proved too good for his rivals, with Felix Coates of Falmouth School leading the chasing pack across the line.

The junior boys' race proved to be far more competitive, with a group of six setting the pace for most of the way. Last year's Year 7 champion Nick Connell, running on his home course, was always prominent, alongside Martyn Moon of St Ives, Matthew Cleave of Wadebridge, Alex McCrea of Looe, Chris Dobson of Richard Lander School in Truro and Daniel Murrant of Camborne. Murrant and Dobson, a little surprisingly, tailed off on the final circuit, leaving four runners to contest the title.

Cleave made a late bid for victory but a very strong finish from McCrea deservedly earned him the title, with the top six separated by only 15 seconds.

Last year's junior champion, Jordon West, from Pool School, was the only runner to win a title for the second successive year, although he certainly had to dig deep into his reserves to hold off the challenge of the fast finishing Paul Sellars of Newquay Tretherras) and Richard Lander's Duke Seymour in the intermediate event.

The equivalent girl's race produced the expected tussle between another Richard Lander athlete, Kate Maddever, and her close rival Abbie Williamson of Truro School. Both girls were determined to win the title, keeping a close tactical eye on each other's every move. It was not until the closing stages of the second of the two large laps that the pressure from Kate finally took its toll on Abbie, as the Richard Lander runner inched ahead and extended a winning lead to the finishing line.

Penair School dominated the team competitions, winning four of the six titles on offer - including a clean sweep in the girl's races. Newquay Tretherras made a significant impact in most of the races, winning the Minor Boys event and having 14 runners in the top 10. The team titles showed a spread around the county, with St Ives being popular winners of the intermediate boys' race.

Controversy surrounded the day's opening race for senior boys, which in the end proved to be a non-event. There were only four runners, all from Truro College, but when they reported to the declaration area, they were told that because their entry had not been received, they would not be allowed to compete.

Despite strong protests from parents and the Truro College teacher, who assured the organisers that the entry had been posted, the absence of an entry meant the absence of a senior boys' race. For one of the boys, Dean Retallack, this was a repetition of his experience last year, when his school, Helston School, failed to enter him and he was unable to take part.

The leading finishers will now be preparing for the South West Schools' championships at Bicton Park, Exmouth early next month. The teams will be announced shortly.

Key for schools: BOD Bodmin School, CAL Callington School, CAM Camborne School, FAL Falmouth School, LIS Liskeard School, LOO Looe School, NT Newquay Tretherras, PEN Penair School Truro, PER Penrice School St Austell, POL Poltair School St Austell, PO Pool School, RL Richard Lander School Truro, St I St Ives School, TS Truro School, WAD Wadebridge School,

RESULTS

Year 7 girls: 1, E Gard (PEN) 8mins.40secs, 2 C Regan (PEN) 8.43mins, 3 J Murray (PEN) 9mins, 4, J Norton (NT) 9.01mins, 5, E Gordon (NT) 9.11mins, 6 J George (NT) 9.12mins. Team: 1, Penair School 20 points.

Junior girls: 1, E Gard (PEN) 11.58mins, 2, K Knowles TS 12.27mins, 3, A Regan (PEN), 4, E Gunning (PER), 5, A Sharrock (NT) 12.45 mins, 6, H Cottam (CAM) 12.56mins. Team: 1, Penair School 21 points.

Intermediate girls: 1, K Maddever (RL) 14.07mins, 2, A Williamson (TS) 14.18, 3, F Ross-Harris (LIS) 14.50mins, 4, L Woodfinden (NT), 5, E Roscow (PEN), 6, H Fuller (CAL). Team: 1 Penair School.

Senior girls: 1, M L Greiner (TS) 17.07mins, 2, A James (BOD) 18.46mins, 3, B Gilbert (BOD) 19.01mins. Year 7 boys: 1, C Gunning (POL) 11.42mins, 2, F Coates (FAL) 12.03mins, 3, T Welford (PEN) 12.06mins, 4, D Millington (St I) 12.08mins, 5, J Nather (NT) 12.15mins, 6, O Wilmott (PEN) 12.18mins. Team: 1, Newquay Tretherras 23 points.

Junior boys: 1, A McCrea (LOO) 13.47mins, 2, M Cleave (WAD) 13.48mins, 3, M Moon St I 13.49mins, 4, M Connell (TS) 13.53mins, 5, C Dobson (RL) 13.54mins, 6, D Murrant (CAM) 14.01mins. Team: 1, Penair School 51 points.

Intermediate boys: 1, J West (PO) 19.55mins, 2, P Sellars (NT) 20.01mins, 3, D Seymour (RL) 20.19mins, 4, D Wall (St I), 5, A Couch (St I), 6, M Cash (NT). Team: 1, St Ives School.