Walton Athletics Club’s brother and sister pair Sam and Sophie Mace left the English Schools’ Championships in Gateshead smiling at the weekend.

Sam, 14, set a new Surrey hammer throwing record of 57.68 metres as he claimed the junior boys’ gold, having finished sixth in the discus event last year.

While older sister Sophie – who has not finished outside of the top three in all competitions this year – was in winning form as she threw 43.61m to win the intermediate girls’ discus title – bettering last year’s silver medal winning effort of 42.81m.

The pair both attend Hinchley Wood School and are coached at Stompond Lane by Mark Wiseman and Andrew Kennard.