SIX months of competition reached a thrilling climax as Hempland Primary School were crowned winners of the York Schools Partnership Sportshall Athletics competition.

More than 40 primary schools in the York area entered the competition, but only four made it through to the finals day at Joseph Rowntree School.

The top four teams to emerge from the gruelling competition were Copmanthorpe, Robert Wilkinson, Dringhouses and Hempland. Fittingly, there were no losers as Robert Wilkinson and Copmanthorpe tied for third place with 114 points each.

Dringhouses were the runners-up with 140 points, while the 152 points amassed by the pupils of Hempland Primary School was enough to win.

The first events were the boys and girls' 4x1 lap and 4x3 lap relays and after four events Hempland led Dringhouses by two points, with Copmanthorpe in third and two points ahead of Robert Wilkinson.

Eight field events made up the middle section of the competition, each contested by one girl and one boy from each team, with three attempts allowed.

The standing vertical jumps were won by Copmanthorpe, with jumps of 41 centimetres and 42cm for the girls and boys respectively.

The balance beam proved to be the forte of the Dringhouses team, with both competitors achieving the maximum two minutes balanced on a narrow beam.

Robert Wilkinson won the soft javelin and target throw events with 14 out of a maximum 16 points for each throwing event, while the overhead ball throw provided Dringhouses with the maximum 16 points.

The speed bounce saw Dringhouses win the boys event, but Hempland took it for the girls.

In the jump events, Hempland brought out their secret weapons - both James Proctor and Phoebe Green had competed at the recent Yorkshire Sportshall finals in these events.

They both achieved personal bests to win the standing long jump and standing triple jump.

After the field section, Dringhouses and Hempland were tied on 112 points, with Copmanthorpe and Robert Wilkinson also tied on 88 points each.

In the final section, Robert Wilkinson won the boys obstacle, Copmanthorpe the boys hurdles and Dringhouses took the boys over/under race.

In the end, it was the unbeaten record of Hempland girls that swayed the scores in their favour.

The competiton was organised by the Ebor and Yorvik School Sports Partnerships, with the aim of giving York primary school children the opportunity to compete in indoor athletics.

Meanwhile, youngsters from the age of eight upwards can sample outdoor track and field athletics with City of York Athletic Club.

Sponsorship from Ingrams Solicitors has allowed the club to start beginner sessions at Huntington Stadium on Fridays, at 7pm. A free four-week trial is available by attending the sessions and asking for Paula Bird or by phoning her on 07761 530931.