DOMINIC Easter claimed first place in the Herts Schools Intermediate Boys Cross Country on Saturday. The talented youngster, who attends Sandringham School and is coached by George Harrison at Shaftesbury Barnet, won his race by more than 40 seconds at Ve

DOMINIC Easter claimed first place in the Herts Schools Intermediate Boys Cross Country on Saturday. The talented youngster, who attends Sandringham School and is coached by George Harrison at Shaftesbury Barnet, won his race by more than 40 seconds at Verulamium Park. This made it a double success for the St Albans based athlete after he romped home in the Herts Cross Country Championship a week earlier, with a winning margin of 1:40. Dominic, aged 16, was competing in the Under 17's and he is now set to test himself at the South of England Championships this weekend in Exmouth. He fits in training four times a week while studying for his GCSEs and is focussed on performing well at the English Schools Final in March. In 2005 Dominic was struck down with a virus which restricted his progress but, after a good track summer, he is now showing his potential. Harrison is expecting him to rise to the challenge against older boys on Saturday. He said: "This will be the big test for him but Dominic has been running so well. If he can make the top three it will be a big achievement." Other local athletes who impressed at Verulamium Park on Sunday included Niall Fleming, from St Columba's College who won the Junior Boys title, Euan Mackenzie of St Albans School who finished fourth in the same race, and James Newman and Jamie Leonard who came in joint second in the Herts Senior Boys event.