TWO cross-country aces at Monmouth School for Boys will have to put their international ambitions on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Henry Evans and Harry Dawes were due to represent Wales at a prestigious international fixture in Scotland on Saturday but all athletics activities have now been postponed until the end of April.

The duo, both 13 years of age and members of Newport Harriers, were due to be lining up against the leading runners from England, Ireland and Scotland in the Schools International Athletics Board (SIAB) XC meeting in Falkirk.

The pair were in impressive form at Brecon as athletes from Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools picked up team bronze medals in two events at the Welsh Schools Districts Cross-Country Championships.

Running for the South East Wales Schools, Evans finished an outstanding fourth – out of 80 competitors – in the junior boys’ race

With the first eight finishers guaranteed Welsh selection, Evans crossed the line in 17:26, just three seconds behind the winner, and achieved qualification - his aim since last August.

Evans made a concerted effort to get into the lead group from the start and throughout the race to make sure of his Welsh qualification.

Dawes also had an excellent race, finishing ninth in 17:58 and was also selected for Wales after a fine year in which he has been the second fastest over 1,500m in the age group.

The duo also combined with Oliver Lloyd (18:40), who finished 16th, and the trio picked up a team bronze medal for South East Wales.

Another Monmouth pupil, Gwyndaf Jones, also did well in the junior boys’ event and was 72nd in 21:20.

A student at Monmouth School for Girls, Freya Taylor, also celebrated a medal, picking up a deserved team bronze with South East Wales after finishing 32nd in 14:26 in the junior girls’ race.

In the Year 7 Boys’ race, John Newington-Bridges was 48th in 9:05 and Cameron Hughes, 78th in 10:22.

Rowan Saxton was 31st in 25:58 in the senior boys’ race.

Josh Jones was 40th in 21:25 and Adam Fowler finished 47th in 21:53 in the middle boys’ event.

The seniors girls' and middle girls' distances were well represented by students at Monmouth School for Girls.

Ellie Horton led the way for Monmouth, finishing 28th in 27:32 in the senior girls' event.

Olivia Harwood (23:33) was 41st, Antonia Dawes (24:06) finished 50th and Erlina Ainsworth (24:28) came 55th in the Middle Girls’ race.