COMPETITION was fierce but friendly when Horwich Harriers held an open junior cross country meeting at Bob's Brow.

The main thrust of the event was to encourage boys and girls of all age groups, from nearby clubs, to get involved and promote team spirit and enjoyment. Individuals and teams picked up 78 medals in the four age groups.

The Under 9s race, over 1200m. was won by Laura Pollitt of Horwich in 7.44 - her first run in a Horwich vest. The boy's race was dominated by Holy Family Primary School, New Springs with Daniel Hall, Jon McGinty and Lee Hall finishing in first, second and third.

In the Under 11s over the same distance, the two first places in the boys' and girls' races went to two young athletes from Scott Lane School, Blackrod - John Fielding and Amy Spencer: Amy winning in 6.21 with John finishing in 6.26. In the team races Rochdale packed well to win both team events. Horwich (Stuart Pearson, Gavin Southworth and Mark Sewell) were second the second boys' team with Holy Family (Gareth McGinty, Andrew Hall and Adam Croston) third scoring 23 points. In the girl's race the team awards were exactly the same. Rochdale winning with Horwich (Kelly Cleary, Melissa Angelsea and Vicky Harold) second and Holy (Vicky Fisher, Lorna McKay and Heather Risley) third. Joanne Ramsdale was the fourth Horwich scorer.

The Under 13s raced over 2000m and Mark Smith of Horwich continued his fine form with an impressive performance to win in 7.43. The first seven places in the boys' race had Horwich and Rochdale runners, so the team prize was always going to be close but with Keith Boardman (fourth) and Matthew Smith (fifth) for Horwich they scored 10 points and with Rochdale finishing in second, third and sixth scored 11, it couldn't have been closer!

John Harold of Horwich was seventh, completing a good display for the club in this age group. In revenge, Rochdale Under 11s girls won the team prize finishing second, third and fourth. The Under 15s was just as competitive with Ian Ramsdale winning the boy's race in 7.41 from Jonathon Holt of Hyndburn second in 7.57 and Peter Harrison of Horwich in 8.16 was third. Adam Payne and Matthew Sewell, running for the club for the first time, finished fourth and fifth in 8.42 and 10.15. The first three in the girls race were separated by just 18 seconds - Stacey McMullan of Chorley first in 8.37, Casey Dean from Hyndburn second in 8.44 and Christine Boardman of Horwich third in 8.55.

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