THE Juniors of Horwich Harriers continued to display their talents in the second leg of the Red Rose Cross-Country League at Springfield Park in Rochdale.

In the Under 17's race, Michael Cayton set off determined to improve on his second place at Bury two weeks ago and produced an outstanding display to win by nearly a minute over the three mile course.

He set off strongly and dominated the race from start to finish to win in 19.07. The Horwich team again finished in first place with John Robertson (20.08) and Mark Liptrot (20.09) battling throughout the race for third and fourth places, giving a team score of just eight points.

Second club home were Rochdale with 15 points. These performances confirm the U17's of Horwich in overall first place after two races.

Anthony Hallahan and Emma Garrity, in the U15's races, complete a double first after their first places at Bury two weeks ago. They both had impressive victories at Rochdale.

Hallahan, lining up with the rest at the start, ran steadily throughout the race to win in a time of 13.40 from S Howarth of Bury just six seconds behind.

Richard Hughes battled all the way around the two mile course with several runners from other local clubs, but Hughes, putting his summer track training to good use, showed the competition a clean pair of heels to finish in fifth place. This was Hughes' best finishing position this season. Ian Ramsdale had another steady run to finish ninth with Peter Harrison in 15th. These performances gave Horwich the first place in the team race ahead of Oldham and Bury and places Horwich one point ahead overall after two races.

The U15's girls race provided Horwich with an impressive set of finishers with Emma Garrity first in 16.23, Paula Goodman third in 17.27, Christine Boardman fourth in 18.37, Helen Whiteman fifth in 19.05 and Laura Hughes sixth in 1923.

These performances again gave Horwich girls first team and confirms them as firm favourite for the title.

Mark Smith, in the U13's race, had a real scrap with Matthew Williams of Bolton, and at the end of their race they were given the same time of 9.14 but Williams did enough to hold off the challenge of Smith over the last 50m.

The second Horwich runner was Matthew Burns running a steady race to complete the course in 9.57 in seventh place. Also given the same time of 10.33 and finishing in 18th and 19th places were Matthew Smith and Keith Boardman.

To complete the Horwich team Robert Burns in 11.27 and Staurt Pearson 12.45 ran the first races in their cross country season. Horwich were third team behind Bury and Oldham but they hold on to second place overall after two races. The Juniors turn their attention to the South East Lancs Cross Country League at Middleton today.

In the Senior race over five laps, Stuart Stokes of Bolton completed the course in an impressive 29.48 from his team mate G Fitton in 30.33 and in third place P Deaville of Glossopdale in 30.42.

The Horwich contingent included Jeff Holloway (60th) in 36.10, Mike Crook (82nd) in 37.48, Ian Smith (85th) in 38.30, Peter Ramsdale (86th) in 38.32, Gordon Stone (89th) in 38.58, Terry Cunniffe (96th) in 40.04 and Tony Nolan (117th) in 45.48. Terry Cuniffe's run placed him in first place in the V55 category and this, after his success in the same category the Snowdonia Marathon last weekend.

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