WINDERMERE athlete Laura Smith earned a top-three placing for the England North team at the Under-23 Home International - Inter Regional Match at Derby last Sunday.

It was a new experience to represent the North for 17-year-old Laura and a big step up from competing at national level.

The Border Harrier found herself rubbing shoulders with some of the top U23 internationals as teams from the North, South and Midlands did battle with those from Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Laura, who is taking A levels at the Lakes School, was not overawed and threw 38m67 to be third behind the Jenny O'Sullivan (Ireland) with 43m55 and Katy Watts (England South) with 42m98, in the U23 women's javelin and was first U20.

Burton-in-Kendal sprinter Grace Smith, now at Bath University, also took part in the 100m and 100m hurdles and ran well but just outside the top five.