Mark Jenkin

SURF life-savers from North Devon proudly represented the county in international competition at the weekend.

The Celtic Cup Challenge brought together the best teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and Devon for the annual home internationals event.

Members of Devon's two largest clubs, Woolacombe and Saunton, provided the bulk of the squad for the trip to Aberavon in Wales.

Croyde's Ellen Raymond, Alfie Reed and Joe Windsor, and Bideford Bay's Lily Nichols and Ethan Hutchinson were also part of the tour.

Chosen after a gruelling season of regional, national and selection events the squad also included a member from the Teignmouth club, Matt Childs, for the first time.

A wealth of experience in the senior side soon showed during the first day of competition.

Devon included Great Britain internationals James Dallyn, Katy Devine, Jo Devine, Scott Stitt and Alex Bunney, and former internationals Cara Deasy, Robbie Sandbach, Gary Sinkevicious and Jimmy Manley.

They were supported by Fay Mills and under-16s Becki Shapland and Danielle Crocker who came in at short notice and helped the team gain second place behind the full Welsh international side.

Meanwhile, Luke Penman, Rob Reid, Rob Lewis, Brandon Lark and Jon-Joe Mooney claimed fourth place in the men's event.

On Sunday, the Celtic Youth Challenge saw Devon field two sides, including the development team to give youngsters further experience in a prestigious competition.

Current and former internationals Katy and Jo Devine, Alice Hedger, Gracie Dack, Cara Deasy, Alex and James Bunney, Scott Stitt and Luke Penman were all involved.

And GB youth squad members Becki and Dan Shapland, Eva Murphy and Freddie Hedger also contributed to an excellent showing.

Both teams competed superbly on the beach and in the water, with the A side claiming second place behind the Welsh who fielded a completely fresh team from the Saturday event.

Hot on the heels of the Cornish, the development team finished fourth.

The previous day saw an amalgamation of the A and development teams put together at short notice for another competition organised to accommodate the Irish team.

With Sunday's full programme in mind, most competitors only took part in selected races and securing the runners-up spot behind Wales was regarded as an outstanding result.

Devon youth rep Dave Worms paid tribute to all the parents, helpers and sponsors who made the trip to Aberavon possible.

Potential sponsors for any of the county teams can contact Dave on 01271 321560.

Other team members: Lucy Campbell, Ellie Parker, Kathy Larcombe, Jess Bricknell, Megan Glenister, Tegan Bray, Holly & Jade Purchase, Emma Challacombe, Lucy Cloke, Amy Harrison, Natalie Gibson, Sam Cordery, Peter & Matthew Bull, Marcus Hutchins, Conor Devine, Josh Caton, Joe Wall, Oliver Taylor, Jack Sherborne, Jon Reid, Cory Lawson, Sean Deasy, Jacob Sharp and Chris Gratton.