THE sports partnership between Royston schools Greneway and Meridian has been praised by their heads of PE. The acclaim follows the schools superb win in the North Herts Schools Athletics Championships – the first time in their history – where they won

THE sports partnership between Royston schools Greneway and Meridian has been praised by their heads of PE.

The acclaim follows the schools' superb win in the North Herts Schools Athletics Championships - the first time in their history - where they won 24 medals, nine gold, three silver, and 12 bronze.

Head of PE at Meridian Sally Conner said: "This was the most fantastic performance I have ever seen.

"The athletes from both schools were superb and they really deserved the win.

"It shows that the partnership between Greneway and Meridian is working - and in some way!"

Facing a number of strong schools from the North Herts area, Greneway and Meridian dominated from start to finish at the Ridlins Stadium in Stevenage to come away with five team championships.

They won the combined Year 7, the Year 8/9 boys and combined category, the Year 10/11 combined and the Grand Prix Title for the best mixed school for Year 7-11 and set a number of personal bests in the process.

Head of PE at Greneway Terry Graves said: "The standards were incredibly high, with every event being won with English schools qualifying marks.

"Every athlete in the team contributed to the winning points, with some achieving personal bests, and showed the high quality in all age groups."

Ayrron Armstrong was one of the event's outstanding successes, winning the Year 8/9 200m and breaking a new school record in a time of 24.89 seconds.

Sixteen-year-old Cameron Webb of Meridian missed out on an English Schools Championship time of 22.9 secs, but still won his final in the Year 10/11 200m equalling a personal best of 23.1 secs.

Conner said: "Royston is lucky to have some very talented sprinters, and Ayrron and Cameron are two of the best.

"Cameron who is a little bit older, is a great example to the others, and is really inspiring the younger athletes to take part.

"He's an amazing sprinter."

Elsewhere, in the Year 7 section Ellis King won the 800m, Leo Williams claimed gold in the 1500m, and Kelly Stubbs won the shot.

The Year 8/9 4 x 100m relay team of Will Dacey, Callan Roach, Fenton Hyde, and Steve Archibald combined to register a winning time of 49.15 secs.

And Ben Jackson also claimed a gold in the discuss.

Dan Scott won the Year 10/11 triple jump, while Emmie Sayers won a gold in the high jump.

Conner said: "There were a lot of record times registered, which was brilliant to see because they have been working hard.

"We are very proud of them all and it's certainly the best achievement that I've been part of.

"Throughout the competition they remained focused and determined and won the competition in style."

Graves said that the secret of the team's success was a combination of expert teaching and coaching, commitment, desire, teamwork, and an innate athletic ability.

"I always expect us to do well - we have talented, committed and well-prepared athletes," he said.

"I'm ecstatic for the schools to have won the competition for the first time.

"It's taken years to achieve the Grand Prix title, and hopefully it will be the start of many more to come.

"The teamwork between Greneway and Meridian was the best it has ever been.

"The partnership is incredibly successful, and once again puts Royston's talented athletes on the map.