STEWART KEMPSTER is Leigh Harriers' latest county champion.

He represented Warrington Schools in the Cheshire School cross country championships, covering a tortuous 6.2k course in 22:49.

Stewart will now represent Cheshire Schools in next month's English Championships in London.

Harriers U13s girls, who have had an outstanding season, were again in great form at the Northern Cross Country Championships in gale force winds at South Shields.

GM champion Adell Swanton was always in the first five runners in a field of more than 200 on an undulating 2.5k course, finishing fourth in 12:46 - and equalling Leigh's best-ever finishing position. In the team race Adell was well supported by Lizzy Heaton (20th, 13:09), Amanda Fearnley (25th, 13:10), Emma Morris (39th, 14:00), Gemma Farley (99th, 14:17) and Amy Crehan (110th, 14:31).

But they were again thwarted in the medal race, settling for fourth spot.

At U15s Toni Bowers ran a well-judged race on the 3k course to finish 64th (17:59). Laura Morris, in her best race of the season, was 68th (18:05).

In the senior men's race over a seven mile course John Howarth was Leigh's first home at 11th (41:14) with Tony Peers 215th (44:21) and Dave Helps 312th (46:36).

Leigh Harriers will be well represented at Saturday's Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in Nottingham with six athletes sporting their GM vests.

Adell Swanton leads the U13s with Lizzy Heaton and Amanda Fearnley, while Toni Bowers wins her second county vest at U15s.

Thomas Boardman, the county silver medallist, wins his first at U13s as does James Gendall at U15s.

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