STEPPING into a more senior age group did little to faze Imogen Newby as the Halstead archery ace rose to the challenge and brought home stunning success from the Junior National Outdoor Championships.

Newby, who is a member of Braintree Bowmen Archery Club, had turned 14 just days before the contest at Lilleshall meaning she would move into the under-16 ranks and now be facing archers up to two years her senior.

However, while shooting on England duty in the Home Nations match against Scotland and Wales that was running alongside the Junior National Championships, she secured a gold and a silver medal in front of watching Archery GB coaches.

The Hedingham School pupil, who had set an incredible eight national records in her final competition as an under-14 archer, headed to Lilleshall in good form and competed in a Metric 3 shoot on the opening day.

In searing temperatures, it required three dozen arrows fired at 50 metres and 40m on a 122cm face then 30m and 20m on an 80cm face.

Not fazed by competing against older rivals, the Halstead youngster showed she meant business from the start and 311 points from a possible 360 placed her top by a point after the opening 50m distance.

There was no let-up at 40m and she battered the centre gold ring with an impressive 14 out of 30 to score 334 and stretch her lead to seven points.

With temperatures rising, she hit another 14 golds at 30m to score 333 and add another ten points to her lead, before smashing 26 golds at the final distance.

Finishing with a 349 score, Newby finished the day with 1,327 points overall to take the national title with a 24-point gap to second-placed Freya Palmer and Archery GB squad member Hannah Rowley, who was third.

Newby's scoring also helped England to success in the Home Nations competition to the further joy of the national coaches.

The following day saw the Imperial rounds, with Newby competing in the Bristol 3, which had 12 dozen arrows shot - 72 at 50 yards, 48 at 40 yards and 24 at 30 yards all on a 122cm face.

Again, high temperatures made life hard, but there was also a gusting cross wind to deal with and Newby opened her scoring with 616 to trail early leader Rowley by ten points.

Newby found her range at the next distance, though, clawing back eight points on her rival to leave it tight heading into the final shoot.

It was a real test of nerve, but Rowley held on and with both girls shooting a flawless final distance, Newby was pipped to the gold by two points this time and took the silver medal.