THE first meetings of the cross-country season were held at the weekend with meetings in Yorkshire and Cheshire.

Most successful of the St Helens Sutton AC athletes was Laura Davenport. Running on the usual hilly and testing course at Woodbank Park, Stockport, Laura started her cross-country season off well by finishing third in the under 13 years race over 3.2kms.

A small group of the younger members of the club made the journey up to Skipton for the first cross-country event of the season held on a bright but windy day over a series of tight and hilly circuits. The first race was held up to allow the club's Rachel Spinks to take part as she was a late arrival and, although she started well, the rush took its toll in the later stages for her to fall back to 23rd place with a time of 13min 14secs for the 3km course. Only one boy, Stephen Thompson, competed in this age group and he ran well to record 11min 41secs and 26th place in a large field.

There was disappointment for the under 15 years girls team which is so often amongst the medals. On this occasion they had to be satisfied with fifth place. There was a sparkling run from Dianne Appleton who finished 12th with a time of 15min 53secs for the 3.5km course. Holly O'Connor was bitterly disappointed with her time of 16min 22secs for 20th place whilst Louisa Davies should be pleased with her time of 16min 33secs and 23rd position.

In the under 17 years groups, Kerrie Langley was the only club girl and she ran strongly for 13th position and a time of 16min 17secs. The boys, in contrast, turned out a team which finished in sixth position. First was Matthew Davenport, 24th running 21min 20secs for the 5km course, Gary Hamilton was close behind in 27th place with 21min 38secs just one position and one second ahead of improving Mark Dunville.

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