A TEAM of Year 8 boys from The Chase - most of whom only started orienteering a few weeks ago - shocked the orienteering world by taking the team silver medal at the British Schools Orienteering Championships held near Leeds on Sunday.

The Capabilty Brown-landscaped grounds of Temple Newsam were an impressive setting for the event attended by more than 800 youngsters.

The Chase fielded a full team of nine pupils for the first time in many years thanks to the enthusiasm generated by the recent MADO series of events held in the area over the last few months.

The Year 8 Boys team consisted of experienced orienteer Tom MacKenzie - who won a gold in his age group at the British Schools Score Championships last month - as well as newcomers Ben Saunders, Felix Goodbody, Jonathan Howie and Harry Scholefield, all of whom have become regular MADO competitors. They beat experienced teams from many well established state and independent schools.

The whole Chase team finished in tenth place over-all thanks to some strong individual performances, some of which were just seconds from a podium position, including fourth places for Daniel Hartmann in Year 12 boys and Rosemary Hartmann in Year 8 girls', fifth for Tom MacKenzie, 6th for Heather Hartmann in Year 10 girls' and 12th for newcomer Rosina Pelusi in Year 8 girls'.

Jamie MacKenzie of Northleigh Primary School also finished 5th in Year 6 boys.

Anyone who would like to try this adventure sport has a very special chance to do so when MADO holds a night event on Castlemorton Common on Saturday, December 3. Details at MADO.org.uk or phone 01684 577062.