LYDIA STRATFORD led the honours when 12 Hereford Cathedral School pupils travelled to Solihull to compete in the West Midlands Regional Biathlon Championships.

Stratford had to overcome tough opposition to win the U19 Girls competition but did so in style achieving the 'Best Swim' award and producing a strong finish in 1600m run.

The U13 girls team of Holly Sewell, Isobel Preece and Mia Williams gave a consistent performance to finish third overall in their class. Jude Gummerson was fourth in the U12 Boys competition and Aidan Webb sixth in the U13 boys competition.

Four Hereford Cathedral Junior School pupils also took part in the Biathlon Championships with William Matthews second in the U10 Boys category and Oliver Stanley, competing a year up, finishing third.

Olivia Teale was 13th out of 33 competitors in the U11 Girls category while Bronte Giddens, competing a year up, 20th out of 30 pupils in the U12 Girls category. In the same category, Mary Miller was ninth.

Three members of Radnor & West Pony Club, who were inspired after taking part in the Pony Club triathlon were also among the competitors, who included pupils from St Mary's RC School Lugwardine, Pembridge CE Primary School and St Marys Primary School Dilwyn as well as Hereford Cathedral School.

In the U11 competition, Charlotte Smith showed her talent by coming in fourth, qualifying immediately for the National Biathlon Championships in November. Steph Wreyford also competed in U11 and came in 27th while Becky Wreyford, in the U12, came in 10th and is waiting for confirmation of whether she qualifies for the national championships.

The trio started training in June by joining Herefordshire Swimming Club in Leominster and have seen a massive improvement in their swim times. They competed at The Elms Tetrathlon where Charlotte won the Tadpole event and Becky won the Minimus event.