SOPHIE Keech has been selected for international duty after finishing runner-up in the England Schools National Championships at Kendleshire.

Twenty-seven girls from all over the country took part in the competition with Keech bidding to retain the title she picked up in 2011.

A solid first round in the morning saw the Lyme Regis starlet finish two-under, just one shot off the lead, following birdies on the ninth and 18th.

The last hole was a par four with the approach over water and the flag positioned at the front of the green but Keech nailed her second shot to within a foot of the pin in front of a packed gallery of spectators.

After a short lunch break, the 16-year-old then kept up the momentum with a birdie on the first as she went on to produce another consistent round, which ended on three-under for the 36 holes.

That was enough to make her the leader in the clubhouse but Dulcie Sverdloff carded a strong second round to also end up three-under overall, pipping Keech to the title on count-back.

The 16-year-old was disappointed there was no play-off to decide the winner but her fine performance was still enough to see her selected for two England Schools’ matches against Wales in August and Scotland in September.

Keech has also been named on the reserve list for the England team that will defend their title at the Girls’ Home Internationals at Radyr Golf Club in Wales in August.

The teenager is one of two reserves with fellow Dorset golfer Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) named in the main squad.