Southend AC cross-country star Adam Hickey goes into his first international date at Alfreton, Derby, tomorrow aiming to prove he's the best in Britain.

Having been pipped for first place in the Inter-Counties under-15 cross country in Nottingham by Essex team-mate Andrew Livingstone, 13-year-old Hickey was again runner-up, this time to Laurence Cox, in the English Schools Championships at Hylands Park, Chelmsford.

Now, however, the Southend High pupil, who also excels in the world of big-time swimming with the Borough of Southend Club, is in the mood to prove he's number one.

He and Livingstone will be part of the England team taking on the combined Celtic challenge of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the annual SIAB Schools' International.

At one stage it had looked as though the sport-mad Hickey family would be split down the middle in support of family glory this weekend.

For, while Adam, the reigning Reebok Challenge holder, is making his international debut, his 11-year-old sister Maria is due to be part of the Essex Schools' team in the special inter-counties match for school years seven and eight in Southampton tomorrow.

Maria had a late call-up from her position as a reserve for the year seven girls' competition after finishing 14th in the Essex race at Hylands Park -- one won by her Southend High for Girls colleague Natasha Bailey from a field of well over 200.

However, during the week Maria has succumbed to the "bug" which has laid low a number of youngsters in her age group at her school and she may not be fit to compete on the South Coast.

While Dad Brian was due to follow Adam's progress in Derby, Mum Sue was to have cheered on Maria in her first big cross-country date.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002