SOUTHEND High School for Boys are celebrating after coming out on top in the 51st annual cross country relay for the Goater Cup.

Southend, who also won the competition in 2011 and 2012, took two teams to compete at Aldenham Country Park.

And Southend High School for Boys’ A team won the contest, with the B team coming fifth.

Sebastian Poskitt Richardson and Vincent Clarke, of Southend A and B respectively, came joint second in the year seven category, with a time of 10 minutes 35 seconds.

Jamie Mart, of year eight, completed the 2.5km course in 10 mins 12 seconds, to claim second while Jo Muller was just 18 seconds behind to finish sixth.

Southend A’s Aaron Samuel was the quickest year nine runner with an impressive time of nine minutes four seconds, while Daniel Riley secured second place in the year ten category with a time of eight minutes 46 seconds.

In the senior division, Harrison Smith and Mitchell Cox, both in Southend’s A team, impressed.

Smith took the bronze position with a time of eight minutes 22 seconds. while Cox crossed the finishing line in eight minutes 53 seconds to come eighth.

Four pupils have also been selected to represent Essex at the National Championships.

Samuel won his race to be called up to the junior boys team.

Matthew Warner, who also impressed during the trials at Hilly Fields, Colchester, came third and will represent his county.

Riley, who came sixth, and second placed Smith will compete in the inter boys and senior boys teams.

As a result, Southend High School for Boys will have at least one runner competing in each age group.