STANDING together on the podium after clinching a national championship, the feeling of pride among the Quinn brothers was overwhelming. Well, sort of…

For sibling rivalry kicked in for Matthew (19) and William (15) Quinn, of Muggleswick, as they claimed a phenomenal win in the intermediate boys’ team category at the National Tetrathlon Championships for South Northumberland Pony Club, alongside Elrington’s Jack Clarkson (15).

William is quick to point out: “I beat him! I’ll never let him forget that, especially as he was disappointed with his swim.”

The brotherly banter is reciprocated before Matthew admits: “It was a nice feeling to be up there with Will, although I didn’t know where to put myself and it felt like I was on the podium for five years!”

The success at the nationals is a huge honour for the club which has enjoyed a great season, qualifying teams at the Pony Club Games throughout the different events.

The trio were the toast of South Northumberland for their excellent accolade.

With William and Jack making the step up from juniors, Matthew decided to return to competing one last time to help out his brother.

“We really didn’t see the win coming and I would have been really happy just to podium to be honest,” Matthew said.

The South Northumberland team went into nationals with words of advice from Will Crozier, Jack Duggan and Tim Calder who were the last club representatives at a national final, and having been put through their paces by the club’s tetrathlon co-ordinator Mandy Donaldson.

Participants competed individually, with scores combined for the team score.

The opening day started with pistol shooting from 10m at a turning target, followed by a three minute freestyle swim.

A 2,000m run was next with the weekend brought to an end with a cross country ride over 1m fences and over a challenging and technical course of 2,800m.

To help clinch the glory for South Northumberland, Matthew finished 30th and Jack 28th, while William, the youngest competitor, gained an excellent 12th place.

His performance also contributed to England finishing runners-up to Ireland, with the teenager being chosen to represent his country at the event and justifying the selection.

He said: “It feels pretty mad to say I’ve represented England, but it is a great feeling.”

While Prudhoe High School pupil William has high hopes of progressing with his new horse Keano, Matthew will hang up his jodhpurs as he heads to university in Scotland.

Their mother Lisa said: “I am really proud of them and the team because they couldn’t have got to where they did as individuals.”