HAYLEY Yelling bids for a place in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on Saturday when she runs in front of the British selectors at the Reebok National Inter Counties Championship in Nottingham.

The Sir William Borlase's teacher arrives at the event fresh from her gold medal winning performance at the South of England Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill last week.

The Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow athlete thrived in the muddy conditions and came home a full minute ahead of her next rival to claim her third regional title and lead her clubmates to team victory as well.

The 28-year-old has had a quite remarkable year which has seen her compete at the World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton and play a key role in Britain's medal winning team run in the European Cross-Country Championships in December.

Windsor clubmate and Marlow resident Mike Simpson won bronze in the men's race in an event where he has so often finished short of a gong in fourth place.

Hughenden Valley's Natalie Dover was also celebrating after finishing third in the Junior (Under 20) 5,000 metre event. She now reverts to the Senior age category as she leads the Bucks Senior Ladies team at the World Trials/National Inter-counties.

Bucks Schools also held their championships last Saturday and Carla Molinaro (Chalfont Community College) was the best placed of the local athletes while Dr Challoners High won the team competition for Years 8 & 9.

Molinaro, in the senior race, survived a bad fall but still managed to finish second. She was followed by Beaconsfield High School's Lucy Scott.

Becky High's Emily Dillon, in the Intermediate age-group, also had a day to remember. Her sixth place earned her a slot in the County team for the English Schools Championships.

Dr Challoners' team success was helped by the efforts of Lauren Manley. She ran her best of the season over the tough terrain of Hervines Park, coming home seventh. Just two places behind her was Liz Roberts while Charlotte

Sawyer and Izzie Epps ensured that the team finished with a winning score of 62 points.

Caroline Fox in 11th place led home the Beaconsfield High team which finished second. She was supported by Sarah Chamberlain (18th), Yasmin Lala (20th), Harriet Waldron (23rd) and Emily Dewer (27th).

Jonny Brand (Misborne)qualified for the English Schools after coming seventh n his first year in the Intermediate age group.

February 14, 2002 13:38