THE Eastwood Academy junior boys team will lead the way at the English Schools Cross-Country Cup final this weekend.

The Year 7 and 8 pupils from the Southend school make up one of five teams from south Essex who have reached the final in Bedford.

Traditional powerhouses Southend High School for Girls and Southend High School for Boys both qualified two teams each.

But it is the Eastwood team who look to have the strongest chance of challenging for honours.

They won the regional qualifying event in dominant fashion, with five of their pupils finishing in the top 17 positions.

Their borough rivals, Southend High School for Boys, finished second, 19 points behind.

Scott Wheeler, head of boys PE at Eastwood said: “The staff at the Academy are very proud of the pupils’ achievements.

“They have worked tirelessly since September and we are delighted that they have qualified for the national final as reward for their efforts.

“It has created a real buzz among the other pupils in the Academy who also show fantastic commitment with regards to improving and maintaining their fitness.”

The Eastwood team includes: Max McDonald, George Hey, Ben Arnold, Oliver Pearson, Charlie-George Purdy and Albert Galbally.

Southend High School for Boys’ intermediate boys team finished second in the regional qualification for the final and both Southend High School for Boys’ junior and intermediate girls teams were third in regional qualifying.