CLIFTON schoolboy Ryan Parker was just a second away from finishing in the top 10 at the world schools cross-country championships in Italy. The 15-year-old, representing England, was only a late replacement for the championships in Riccione and was the

CLIFTON schoolboy Ryan Parker was just a second away from finishing in the top 10 at the world schools' cross-country championships in Italy.

The 15-year-old, representing England, was only a late replacement for the championships in Riccione and was the baby of the bunch in the under-17 boys' team.

But only Simon Horsfield, who finished a second ahead, beat Ryan's time of 16:36 in the six-strong England party.

Australia occupied the top two individual places with England coming fourth overall out of the 25 countries.