LOUISE Damen finished third in the British Universities Cross-Country Championships, writes Nigel Harding.

The Bournemouth AC star completed the 6km course at Bodington Hall in Leeds in 22 mins 17 sec, but was pipped by two seconds for the runner-up slot by defending champion Lisa Dobriskey.

Though the Loughborough University pair both gained team gold, they could not catch Sheffield University's Hattie Dean who won in 22:08.

Damen, champion in 2003, has achieved an individual medal of each colour in her three attempts at this event. Her next race is expected to be the English National Championships at Birmingham on 19 February.

Dr Julian Kennedy won the over-50 title in the British Masters Indoor Pentathlon Championships at Cardiff, while Poole AC club-mate Colin Hague took silver in the over-45 class.

Ian Barnes was third over-55 in the South-West Veterans' Cross-Country Championships at Sidmouth, with fellow Poole Runner Geoff Scott fifth in the same category.

Gifted Bournemouth AC youngster Ryan Saunders was kicking himself after being outsprinted at the South East Schools Cross Country Championship in Essex on Saturday.

The 13-year-old pupil at Moyles Court, Ringwood opened up a 35-metre lead midway through the Under-15 race and admitted he was disappointed not to have pushed on to victory.

Ryan was overhauled after the final hill in a sprint to the line, finishing fourth overall and the second Hampshire boy home at Basildon.

The junior girls race saw BAC's Chloe Dowson hold her own to finish ninth in a particularly strong Hampshire squad and 37th overall.

Bournemouth youngsters also competed at Bath in the South West Schools Cross Country where Kelly Steele caught the eye in the girls Under-17 race, taking 11th place which made her Dorset's third runner home.

The Kings Park club can field a clutch of useful Under-13s and they were led home by Tom Gagan in 25th (Dorset 2nd), followed by John Taylor 33rd and Conor Mugan 38th.

Placing fourth for Dorset in the men's Under-20 event was Mike Hammacott, 16th past the post.