VALE PUPILS claimed two of the three top awards at the recent Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Schools presentation evening.

The event, held at Cardiff's Whitchurch High School, proved to be a hectic one for a Cowbridge sixth former.

Matthew Jones celebrated the end of his best ever cross-country season by accepting six different awards.

His starting point was the overall senior boys league points medal, which he gained for his three race victories, the only athlete to achieve that feat this winter.

He then linked with fellow sixth former James Hunt to collect the Evans of Longton Cup and the Lear Shield for the Vale school's victories in the senior league and championships.

On the representative front, Matthew gained district colours for representing Cardiff and the Vale Schools at the National Schools championships and he was awarded a special plaque to mark his first international vest for Welsh Schools.

The evening ended on a high note when he received the Birchgrove Trophy - for the outstanding boy - from association President, Mr Frank Ireland.

The Stanwell Old Girl cup for the outstanding girl went to Helen Tucker.

Sixth former Helen has been in sparkling form over the country when training for her first love - the triathlon - has permitted. She won two of the three schools league races and took the championships.

In January she finished ninth u-20 overall and third in the Inter-County Schools section at the prestigious Cardiff Reebok Challenge and she completed her season in March by finishing fifth for the Athletics Association of Wales at an U-20 international in Brecon.

The Year 7 boys from Cowbridge School gained reward for their efforts as Huw Adams and Daniel Thomas collected two trophies - the Hill-Snook Shield and the Rhys Griffiths Cup - for their league and championship victories.

Pupils from Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, the youngest secondary school in the Vale, which was only established in September 2000, were also celebrating as they gained the Thomas Burge Cup for the most improved school.

"At the end of a long season, we were delighted by the large turn-out of athletes and parents, and it was especially pleasing to see students from Atlantic College among the award winners", said General Secretary Mrs Kath Elias, a member of the PE staff at Llantwit Major. "It was an excellent opportunity to congratulate our athletes and schools, particularly Cowbridge School, on their achievements and to say thankyou to a variety of groups and individuals who contribute in so many ways to our cross country programme."

AWARD WINNERS Vale pupils and schools LEAGUE TEAM AWARDS Year 7 Girls, under 12: 2 Cowbridge 87; 3 Llantwit Major 77. Year 8 and 9 Girls, Pts: Lauren Richards (St Richard Gwyn) 431. Year 11 to 14 Girls: 3 Llantwit Major (331) 54. Year 7 Boys, under 12, Pts: Huw Adams (Cowbridge) 521; 1 Cowbridge 75; 3 Ysgol Bro Morgannwg 66. Year 8 and 9 Boys, U14: 2 Cowbridge 70. Year 11 to 14 Boys, U19, Pts: Matthew Jones (Cowbridge) 227; 1 Cowbridge 60.

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AWARDS Girls Championships held at Trelai Park. Year 7, Under 13: 2nd Cowbridge A (50); 2nd Marissa Jenkins; 5th Emma Hopkins; 20th Heather Cross; 23rd Sophie Jones; 3rd St Cyres A (66); 9th Sophie Parry; 15th Ceridwen Llewellyn; 17th Sara Wiltshire; 25th Rhianne Driscoll. Year 10 to 14, U20: 1st Llantwit Major (48); 1st Helen Tucker; 7th Jo Gould; 20th Rachel Clark; 21st Harriet Tucker. Boys Championships held at Trelai Park. Year 7, U13: 1st Cowbridge (23); 2nd Huw Adams; 3rd Daniel Thomas; 6th Rhys Williams; 12th Alex Howson; 3rd Bro Morgannwg (71); 8th Keiron Harding; 15th Ross Weekly; 18th Sam Williams; 30th Sion Davies. Years 8 and 9, U15: 2nd Cowbridge A (59); 6th Lloyd Lewis; 13th Ben Wright; 17th Jonathon Komor; 23rd Harry Ornsby. Year 10 to 14, U12: 1st Cowbridge (22); 1st Matthew Jones; 6th Matthew Brown; 7th Robert Egan; 8th James Hunt. Award of District Cross Country Colours to athletes who competed at the Welsh Schools National: Senior Boys U20: Matthew Jones (Cowbridge), James Hunt (Cowbridge). Middle Boys U17: Matthew Brown (Cowbridge), Jamie Bradbury (Glantaf), Matthew Wright (Llantwit). Junior Boys U15: Lloyd Lewis (Cowbridge). Senior Girls U20: Jessamy Bagenal (Atlantic College), Heidi Salminen (Atlantic College). Junior Girls U15: Anna Symonds (Stanwell), Martha Clarke (Bro Morgannwg), Kate Wiltshire (St Cyres), Jessica Stimpson (Bro Morgannwg). Award to athletes who gained international selection for Welsh Schools: U20 Boys: Matthew Jones (Cowbridge), U20 Girls: Heidi Salminen (Atlantic College), Jessamy Bagenal (Atlantic College). For Athletics Association of Wales: U20 Girls: Helen Tucker (Llantwit).

SPECIAL AWARDS The Stanwell Old Girl Cup for the outstanding girl: Helen Tucker. The Birchgrove Cup for the outstanding Boy: Matthew Jones. The Denys Gumbley Shield for service: Katie Greenwood. The Thomas Burge Cup for most improved school: Bro Morgannwg.