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On Tuesday 16^th May pupils from across the East Riding descended on Cottingham High School to compete in the East Riding School Sport Partnership Orienteering Finals – all winners or top finishers in their primary cluster events, they came looking for the next level of success and from the first pair of runners setting off it was clear the standards were going to high. With conditions heavy going underfoot, the odd rain shower thrown in and a course set out over the vast secondary school site – this was a big step up for everyone.

HALO – Humberside and Lincolnshire Orienteers have been key partners once again this year, leading on many of the cluster events as well as the preparing the course and equipment for the Final. The inspiring coaches have invested hours and hours of their expertise to ensuring the children in the area have the chance to experience the best orienteering has to offer – we are very grateful for all their efforts and hope they also enjoyed  spotting some future stars!

Over 14 Schools brought teams or individual runners with over 165 pupils competing at the event but with only the top 3 in each age group and category to be invited to compete in the Humber Final, competition was fierce.

In the Individual Pairs competition for Year 5 the top 3 were Josh and Connor from Molescroft, Eogan and Devon from Hilderthorpe and Louis and Alaister from Anlaby.  The Year 6 top 3 finishers were Sam and Jack from North Ferriby, Daniel and Nick from Molescroft and William and Huw from Walkington.

In the Team event, the Year 5 top 3 schools were Hilderthrope, Howden and Hedon, whilst the Year 6 fastest 3 teams were Parkside, North Ferriby and All Saints Juniors. Huge congratulations and best of luck to all of those who will now go on and represent the East Riding School Sport Partnerships at the Humber Final.

The event was spectacular to watch and a fine  example of partnership working with effective school-to-club links made with HALO, fantastic support from schools and parents to ensure the competitors arrived safely and an ideal site provided by Cottingham High School. It was simply wonderful to see so many children competing together safely and the staff across both the East Riding School Sport Partnerships all went away feeling very proud of performances of both on and off the field. Well done everyone – and hopefully see you again next year!