READING Blue Coat School student Sam Hodgson helped England win a gold medal in his age group at the Home Countries and SIAB International in Nottingham recently.

The 14-year-old set the pace for the first half of the junior boys’ race and ended up ninth overall – and the sixth England vest home – contributing to the England gold medal.

After the event, Hodgson said: “I am very happy, but a bit sore as the course was very hilly.”

He had previously qualified for the England team after finishing seventh at the English Schools' Championship at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds last month.