CANON Slade’s girls team missed out on a podium finish by just five points at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in Formby.

Amelia Bratt led the team home, finishing the 2,250m course in 12th place, while Emily Russell was 19th.

The school’s other two counters were Eva Baldwin, who was 43rd, and Isabella Merritt in 63rd.

Anna Potter and Ella Pendlebury completed the team of six on the day, with Ruby Erzan-Essien in reserve.

The girls’ combined score of 137 points earned them fourth place, just behind third-placed Dr Challoner’s High School, of Amersham, who finished with 132 points.

Notre Dame High School, from Sheffield, won the event with 89 points, as the team with the lowest total score, made up of the positions of each of their counting runners.

Canon Slade was one of 24 schools from across the country competing for the title after winning the Greater Manchester event to qualify.

Teacher Simon Rees said: “The girls were optimistic about their chances and were looking for a top-five finish.

“It was a cold, dry day and the course was a quick one, skirting woodland and the famous Devil’s Hole dune blow out.

“It was quite a narrow course, and runners had to time their overtaking carefully.

“But our girls ran very well and gave an excellent account of themselves.”

Mr Rees said they will continue to train in a bid to qualify for next year’s finals, which will take place at Sevenoaks School in Kent.