JAMES Kevan proved his precocious talent when he led Horwich RMI Harriers' men's team to second place at the South East Lancashire Cross-Country League race at Leigh.

And clubmate Angela Allen also produced an outstanding performance to finish second in the women's race.

James is still a junior but was elevated to the senior team and proved his worth with a brilliant run.

As well as impressing in the men's race, he also underlined his reputation as the outstanding junior in the competition by winning the junior race by more than a minute.

The men's team finished behind a strong Salford team and Horwich's over-40s men's team also finished second, just one point behind East Cheshire.

Paul Massey made a welcome return to the cross-country scene in the older age group and Rob Haworth produced an excellent run after a long absence through injury.

Angela maintained her excellent form, finishing second (first over-35 runner) behind Leigh's Anne Washington, and led the Horwich over-35's team to victory in their team category.

Both April Stevenson (under-15s) and Simon Rashleigh (under-13s) finished fourth in their respective races.

Nineteen-year-old Rachel Thompson ran a tremendous race for the Northern team that competed in the recent Lotto Cross Cup cross-country race in Ghent, Belgium, finishing sixth overall (second Northern counter) and just 41 seconds behind winner Lynda Byrne of Ireland.

In la testing 8.44-mile Through the Villages Road Race, held at Wheelton, near Chorley, Horwich took both the men's team and veteran men's team awards.

Leading the way, with a great run was Paul Roby who finished fourth. Paul Muller was Horwich's second finisher in ninth (second over-45), Tony Rowlands was next in 10th and Glyn Kay just behind in 11th place. Paul Muller was well backed up by Paul Boardman (third over-40) and Derek Coop (over-45) enabling the veteran men's team to take victory.

The race itself was won by local athlete Paul Freary.

On the same day, Rob Jackson ran a great race to finish second (first over-40) in the five-mile Graham Richards Memorial Road and Trail Race at Whitworth, Rochdale, in a time of 27.03, and in which there were 77 finishers.