Hard training in the harsh winter conditions paid off for Sam Convery as he performed admirably in the Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships.

The 12-year-old Horsforth schoolboy came home sixth behind winner Tom Blanchard of Skipton in the under-13s race over 3,000 metres to help his Wakefield Harriers team to the gold medal.

Convery’s excellent finish earned selection to represent Yorkshire under-13s in the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships at Birmingham in a fortnight, for which he will receive his first county vest.

He hopes to sharpen up for this event by tackling the cream of the nation in the National Cross-Country Championships at Roundhay Park this weekend.