DORSET Pentathletes once again claimed the tag of top team in the country at the 2009 National Biathle Championships at Salford Quays in Manchester.

Mick Flaherty’s team picked up three gold medals, five silver and four bronze to continue their fantastic form ahead of the World Championships in Monaco on September 20, where the top six athletes in each age group will be selected to represent Great Britain.

Dorset Pentathletes, which is made up of members from Tornadoes of South Dorset SC (TSDSC), West Dorset Warriors SC (WDWSC), Poole AC (PAC) Ferndown Otters & Weymouth SC (WSC), took a 26-strong team to the nationals and once again there were some fantastic performances.

The first event took place in overcast conditions with the girls and boys’ 10-and under which saw Hannah Marklew (WSC) and Drew Sanson get Dorset off to a flying start by both claiming third-placed finishes.

Luke Bassett and Callum Mullins also performed well to come home in fourth and sixth respectively.

In the next race, the girls’ 12-and-under, Dorset stunned their rivals by claiming all three medals. Bethan Whitall (WSC) took gold, closely followed by Rebecca Bowles in second and Victoria Halford (WDWSC) third. Meanwhile, a little further back, Elizabeth Hood came sixth with Margi Chitty coming home in 12th.

In the boys’ 12-and-under, Oliver Mullins picked up a bronze, just one second in front of team-mate Hugh Ireland who finished fourth. Harrison Yarnold came fifth with Jonathon Greenwood and Bradley Mullins crossing the line in eighth and 10th respectively. All five boys are members of the West Dorset Warriors.

The next age group to get involved in the action was the girls and boys’ 14-and-under.

Chris Perham (TSDSC) took silver while Kathleen Rafferty finished fourth ahead of club colleagues Danielle Bury (Ferndown) in fifth, Laura Chitty in ninth and Dervla Ireland in 12th.

The Masters events then quickly followed with Nick Ireland capturing gold in the men’s 40 plus with Andy Whitall not far behind as he claimed silver. Linda Chitty also took silver in the women’s 40 plus.

Next up was the girls’ 16-and-under race, which saw Melissa Courtney (PAC) take gold and Africa Mason finish in seventh.

The event then closed with the girls and boys’ 18-and-under sections where Tom Crew (TSDSC) captured silver and Claire Rafferty came sixth.

Flaherty said: “Once again Dorset Pentahletes dominated the British Championships winning more medals than any other team, which is an excellent achievement by all the athletes.

“The dedication and commitment the team has shown to training and racing has paid off, with 23 team members being selected for the British team for the World Championships in Monaco on September 20.

“Last year we had 18 athletes in the British team and to have more than that this year is an amazing feat considering all the big cities that we have to compete with.”

The Dorset athletes that will travel to Monaco include Zoe Gowers, Marklew, Sanson, Bassett, Callum Mullins (10-and-under), Bethan Whittall, Bowles, Halford, Hood, Oliver Mullins, Hugh Ireland, Yarnold (12-and-under), Perham, Rafferty, Danielle Bury (14-and-under), Courtney, Mason (16-and-under), Crew, Niall Laming, Rafferty (18-and-under), Ireland, Andy Whittall and Chitty (Masters).

Flaherty went on to add: “A lot of credit also has to go to the younger members of the team who have shown lots of determination in their first year of biathle.

“Dorset Pentathletes have achieved all this success with no local sponsors or backing of any kind.

“So if there are any potential sponsors out there who would be interested in helping the club or any member of the team for the World Championships please contact me by sending an email to flaherty121@aol.com”