The Haberdahsers' Monmouth School for Girls Year 7 Cross Country team recently became South East Wales Champions, beating 16 other teams in a hard-fought competition.

The first race of the series was a very long course at Monmouth Showground and proved to be a real challenge for many of the athletes.

However, it prepared them well for the subsequent competitions where they showed true determination and spirit.

The second race, at St Joseph's School, was a great event for all the competitors and every HMSG athlete improved upon their individual placing from the previous run.

The final race took the girls by surprise as the course was less than 1km long. HMSG girls were well prepared for this, with the majority of them finishing in the top 20 and thus winning the team race convincingly.

Special mention must go to Ellana Horton and Elinor Rathbone, who finished in the top 10 in every race.

The girls are now ready for the individual competitions, in which they will be racing to gain entry into the Welsh Schools Championships.