Sweatshop Red Rose Cross Country League at Hyndburn

AT last, the final league match of the season and, after the problems at Burnley, the course at the Wilson playing fields, Clayton-le-Moors, was superb.

All possible obstacles in the woods had been identified and from the amount of tape visible, going wrong would be difficult.

The officials at Hyndburn AC had done an excellent job and produced an imaginative and testing course.

The best performances came from the younger female age groups: under-17 women, under-15 girls, and under-13 girls. All these groups ran not just for themselves but for their team-mates, and in support of the team effort, a feature sadly lacking from a couple of the club's absent senior ladies.

Despite the number of athletes being less than normal there were plenty of supporters, and Bury AC brought its usual strong contingent. Danni McDonald was there for her sister Natasha, as well as being one of only two fit senior women present.

Alix McDermott had injured mum Lesley, as well as sister Evie and dad Kevin supporting her an all the other club athletes. Eileen Ingham was the other fit senior woman present. As well as supporters, all the Bury team members were giving lots of encouragement to their fellow athletes.

UNDER-13 GIRLS

There were five Bury AC members in this age group and they knew they had to perform well to hold on to the runners-up team spot. Andrea Baker was first home with another strong run to finish eighth.

She was well supported by Amanda Barton, 12th, who was pushed very hard all the way round by the much improved Alix McDermott, 14th.

Nicola Quick ran in a well-deserved 21st, with Holly Chapman, 23rd, showing determination and application. The first three completed the team which finished fourth and overall in the runners-up spot.

UNDER-13 BOYS

Just three members running, no team medal possible, but these three had a tough race against each other as well as the rest of the competitors.

The big benefit was the development of Adam Cheshire, who has gained strength with each race and on Sunday finished ahead of Ross Little.

Adam had an exceptional run, finishing seventh, and only four seconds behind Lou Szymanski in sixth.

The boys finished second team on the day but their absence from the first meeting, due to a championship team race, ruled them out of an overall team place.

UNDER-15 GIRLS

Another strong display from this set of determined girls, who once again won the team race, this time without the considerable talents of Laura Evans.

Jessica Simons had a couple of superb Bolton girls in front of her and worked hard to keep them in sight and stay ahead of team-mate Cheryl Sullivan.

Jessica hung on for third position in the race and the series, with Cheryl fourth some 15 seconds behind her.

Keeley Bulger was a little off the pace of her two club mates, but kept the team well in contention with her fifth place, and overall an individual third place in the series. The girls were clearly team winners on the day.

UNDER-15 BOYS

James Dagg ran a determined race as he tried to hang onto the talented Peter Mathews from Blackburn.

While James had to concede this race to the Blackburn athlete, who won the individual series, it ensured that James got the individual series runners-up position.

Josh Cole has been eclipsed by his younger sister recently but in tough conditions, he can always be relied upon. He must have been pleased with his sixth place.

The team was completed by Nick Lamont, 14th, and they finished second on the day.

UNDER-17 WOMEN

Elizabeth Cheshire has performed exceptionally this season and will be going into the championship events with confidence.

She has developed well during the winter and has run to her strengths in each race without being overwhelmed by the four class athletes ahead of her.

She has also been the catalyst to inspire both Danni Blundell and Natasha McDonald to compete in every race.

Both Danni and Natasha have finished races almost on their knees, but did it for the team to gain them the team winner's position. Well done girls.

In a disappointing turn out from the senior men, at least John Young completed his inaugural cross-country season with the required three races, Hyndburn being his third meeting.

Once again he found the course tough but enjoyable and is now looking forward to his firth northern championship.