Johncock qualifies

JOHNCOCK IS PRAGUE-BOUND

Rachel Johncock's turned on the style once again at the Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix when she earned her place on the plane to the European Indoor Championships in Prague next month.

 The former Colwyn Bay sprinter broke her own Welsh record in the 60-metre heat, clocking 7.24s, which was  one-hundredth of a second inside the GB qualifying time.

 She was unable to step up another gear in the final, finishing eighth but she had the added satisfaction of having beaten the 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Carmelita Jetter of the United States.

 At the same televised meeting Welsh pole vault record-holder Sally Peake (Birchfield) from Hawarden, cleared 4.15 before pulling out with an injury.

 

Welsh CC Champs

GRIFFITHS WINS FOURTH TITLE

Swansea's Dewi Griffiths had things very much his own way as he claimed his fourth successive Welsh title at the national cross-country championships at the Rhug Estate in Corwen.

 The GB international strode away from the rest of the field as a keen tussle took place between his Swansea clubmates for the other medal places.

 The ladies' race saw an equally  convincing win for Ffion Price (Cardiff) who was last year's under-20s' champion. She took full advantage of the absence of favourite Caryl Jones to win by over a minute from  former English fellrunning champion Lauren Jeska (Eryri).

 Though the turnout by North Wales seniors was disappointing there were some fine individual and team performances in the lower age-groups, with victories for Mia Roberts (Deeside) and Oliver Barbaresi (Menai) and silver medals for Osian Perrin (Menai) and Christian Smith (Wrexham) and a bronze for Cari Hughes (Menai). 

 There was also some exciting young talent on display in the primary schools' 1,500-metres races, with Menai taking three of the four team awards.

 RESULTS

Girls Primary  Year 5: 1 N Roberts (Deeside) 6.57, 2 K Griffiths (Aberdare) 7.47, 3 E Edwards (Deeside). Tea ms: Menai 23.
Girls Primary Year 6: 1 D Thompson (Carmarthen) 6.27, 2 S Jones (Menai) 6.31, 3 A Hill (Cardiff Archers) 6.38. Teams: Menai 23, Cardiff Archers 24.
Girls under 13: 1 M Roberts (Deeside) 13.15, 2 S Vella (Cardiff) 13.21, 3 C Gwyther (Swansea) 13.26. Teams: Deeside 43, Carmarthen 78.
Girls under 15: 1 A Fisher (Cardiff) 17.55,  2 I Dodd (Bridgend) 18.04, 3 N Reid (Cardiff) 18.10. Teams: Cardiff 31, Pembrokeshire H 34, Carmarthen 64.
Women under 17: 1 B Owen (Scar borough) 17.14, 2 H Davies (Brecon) 17.50, 3 C Hughes (Menai) 18.10. Team: Brecon 53.
Senior women: 1 FRf Price (Cardiff, U23) 2 L Jeska (Eryri) 27.37, 3 A Beynon Thomas (Swansea) 27.54, 4 K Parry (Leeds) 28.12, 5 C Evans (Pontypridd, U23) 29.07,6 S Leech (C armarthen) 29.55. U23: 3 A Bagnall (Salford) 32.50. Teams: Brecon 59, Buckley 72.

Boys Primary Year 5:   1 F Morgan (Carmarthen) 6.06, 2 I Oldfield (Bryn Coch, Mold) 6.39, 3 R Hodgson (Trelawnyd) 6.43. Teams: Menai 19, Bryn Coch 22, Carmarthen 23.
Boys Primary Year 6: 1 I Humphries (Pembrokeshire) 5.54, 2 J Reynolds (Cardiff Archers) 6.04, 3 R Edwards (Cardiff) 6.11. Teams: Menai 34, Ysgol Penbarras 34, Bryn Coch 44.
 Boys under 13: 1 I Glynn (Carmarthen) 12.02, 2 O Perrin (Menai) 12.08, 3 L Griffiths (Aberdare) 12.16. Teams: Carmarthen 28, Menai 61.
 Boys under 15: 1 O Barbaresi (Menai) 15.20, 2 L Davies (Brecon) 15.34, 3 E Lawrence (Swansea) 16.03. Teams: Menai 34, Cardiff 36, Carmarthen 55, Brecon 59.
Men under 17: 1 M Williams (Pembrokeshire) 15.51, 2 C Smith (Wrexham) 16.11, 3 J Turner (Stroud) 16.20. Teams: Carmarthen 41, Wrexham 42.
 Men under 20: 1 J Hopkins (Swansea) 22.39, 2 M Dickinson (Wells) 23.05, 3 C Lewis (Cardiff) 23.44, 4 M Jones (Newport) 23.56, 5 O Roberts (Eryri) 25.50.
Senior men: 1 D Griffiths (Swansea)  34.16, 2 M Hobbs (Swansea) 34.50, 3 P Matthews (Swansea) 34.58, 4 C Carpanini (Swansea, U23) 35.03,  5 I Mitchell (Tipton) 35.53, 6 R Roberts (Eryri) 36.23. U23: 2 R Boorman (Aberdare) 37.58, 3 P Tobin (Swansea) 38.00. Teams: Swansea "A" 27, Aberdare 114, Swansea "B" 133, Buckley 250.

Hulson win

HULSON CHALKS UP BIGGEST WIN YET

Charlie Hulson from Rhosesmor took his season to new heights when he won the English National Cross-Country Championships over the notoriously difficult Parliament Hill course in London.

 The Sale athlete, who opted for the English meeting instead of the Welsh championships in Corwen because he wanted to be sure of a top-class competition, had his wish fulfilled as the 2,000-strong field included several in-form internationals.

 The 21-year-old made his intentions clear on the first of the two 6k laps and though fellow GB internationals Adam Hickey and Richard Goodman tried to stay with him they gradually fell away.

 In very muddy conditions Hulson, formerly of Deeside AAC, pulled away and finished in 39.12, 19 seconds clear of  runner-up Andrew Hayes (Hallamshire), with former Bangor University student Nick Swinburn (Morpeth) third eight seconds back. Hickey came home seventh.

 Hulson, who was naturally delighted with his win - he last ran the English Nationals as a junior man a few years ago and finished in the 20s - has his sights firmly set on the UKC inter-counties' title in Birmingham on March 7, when he will be running for North Wales.

 "That is why I felt I needed a good hard run in London," he said. "The season has gone really well but I have been putting the work in."

 He has another incentive for going for a win in Birmingham as it will be on his 22nd birthday.

 In the ladies' race in London the North Wales Cross-Country League champion Alison Lavender (Oswestry) finished an excellent seventh and former champion Claire Martin (Telford) was 18th.

Eddie's tops

EDDIE TOP IN TWO CATEGORIES

Prestatyn Running Club's remarkable octogenarian Eddie Naisby topped the UK Masters' rankings over two distances, according to the latest statistics published for 2014.

 The super-vet, who is 87 in April, headed the over-85s' 10k list with his 62m 11s recorded in Birkenhead and also the half-marathon list with his 2-20.41 in Liverpool.  

 And as a  good club man Eddie was among the marshals at the Welsh cross-country championships at Rhug, Corwen, on Saturday.

UKAC Champs

NORTH WALES FOR BIRMINGHAM

North Wales team manager David Alun Williams has named a strong senior men's team for the UK Counties Cross-Country Championships in Birmingham on March 7.

 The line-up includes in-form GB international Charlie Hulson (Sale) and Northern champion Andrew Davies (Stockport). Andrew's brother Tim has had to pull out due to another  commitment and Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd) was named in his place. However, he is still recovering from injury and so Iwan Jones (Coventry) has been  called up.

 The under-15 boys, too, has some strength in depth with Matthew Willis and Oliver Barbaresi having already proved themselves capable of competing at the highest level.

 Among those with a chance of individual honours are Iolo Hughes (Menai) and Georgina Outten (Birchfield) in the under-20 classes

 The full squad is:- Under 13 boys: O Perrin, E Potter, C La Trobe (Menai), D Gill (Mald), J Jones (Dee), J Evans (Wrex), T Land (CB),   M Spill (Eryri).
 Under 15  boys: O Barbaresi, S Jones, R Finnie (Menai), M Willis, T Evans (Wrex), J Crutchley (Mald), I James, S Holt (CB).
 Under 17 men: C Smith, M Pleavin, S Sussex, H Arnull, A Williams (Wrex), C Linton, R Cain (Menai), J Spill (Menai).
 Under 20 men: I Hughes, R James (Menai), O Roberts (Eryri), M Blackwell (Dee).
 Senior men: D Kashi, R Roberts (Eryri), A Davies (Stockport), T Roberts (Meir), C Hulson (Sale), R Challinor (Liv H), D Weston, J Mills (Wrex), W Sheridan (Dee).
 Under 13 girls: M Roberts, F Davies, L Sharp (Dee), E Jones (Osw), K Jerman, E Hughes (Mald), Y Baker (Wrex), Ff M Rees Jones (Menai).
 Under 15 girls:  H Roberts (CB), M Owen (Dee), S Paxton (Wrex), K Jones, Z Baker (Osw), A McQueen (Eryri), S Walker (Mald), E Roberts (Menai).
 Under 17 women: C Hughes, M Davies (Menai), L Davis (Dee), G Morris (CB), V Gittins, C Evans, M Martin (Mald), L Jones (Menai).
 Under 20 women: G Outten (Birchfield), B Jenkinson (Eryri), A Backshall (CB).
Senior women: A Rowlands, M Hughes, L Emery-Jones,  B Law (Eryri), A Muller (West Chesh), L Wright (Wrex), D Williams (Menai), A Cheetham (Prest), A Bagnall (Salford).

GB Indoor Champs

JOHNCOCK SETS NEW WELSH RECORD

Former Colwyn Bay sprinter Rachel Johncock (Swansea) produced her best-ever performance to take silver in the 60 metres at the Great Britain indoor championships in Sheffield.

 The Loughborough student won her heat and semi-final, in which she set a pb of 7.37 seconds, and in the final lowered it again to 7.33, a new Welsh record. The race was won by the clear favourite, England's Dinah Asher-Smith.

 Another North Wales sprinter in top form was Deeside's Shannon Malone, who was first U20 in 7.60, also a pb. 

 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sally Peake (Birchfield) from Hawarden was delighted to take gold in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25m, well  clear of runner-up Abigail Roberts.

 Another record-breaker was Welspool's Adele Nicoll (Birchfield), who won the U20 shot and was fifth overall with a best effort of 14.87m.

 Wrexham's Hannah Thomas finished 4th in her 60m heat in 25.08, albeit a season's best and her clubmate Megan Rogers also recorded a season's best of 55.36 in coming 4th in the  400m.

Village Bakery Half

VAUGHAN MAKES ELLY WORK FOR VICTORY

Eryri's Welsh marathon champion Alun Vaughan, who has done few races recently, showed he is on target for another good time in London this year when he finished second to Tarus Elly (Salford) in the Village Bakery Half-Marathon in Wrexham.
 
 Elly won in 70.36, with Vaughan 23 seconds behind and the remarkable M50 veteran Andy Green (Warrington) third.

 There was an even closer finish in the women's race, with Stockport's Jenny Knass edging it by just three seconds from Wrexham's own Emma Crowe.

 Results (gun times): 1 T Elly (Salford) 70.36, 2 A Vaughan (Eryri) 7-.59, 3 A Green (Warr, M50) 71.10, 4 J Loxam (Stockport) 72.04, 5 R Bentley (Eryri) 72.19, 6 S Doyle (Vale Royal, M40) 72.22, 7 S Myatt (Trentham) 72.31, 8 P Vale (Mercia, M40) 72.35, 9 P Jones (Oswestry, M45) 72.50, 10 D Longley (Prestatyn) 72.55. U21: T Garbett (Total Tri) 81.31. 40: 3 M Smith (South Chesh) 73.14. M45: 2 N Jones (South Chesh) 79.07, 3 C Batho (Stockport) 79.11. M50: 2 R Tudor (Salford) 74.22, 3 I James (Wrex) 80.40. M55: 1 A Lewis (Eryri) 85.37, 2 K Smith (Whitchurch) 86.33, 3 P Hollins (Chester Tri) 87.05. M60: 1 J Foy (West Chesh) 86.27, 2 T Archer (Vale R) 89.08, 3 D Nalder (Ell Port) 93.00. M65: 1 S Johnston (Les Cr) 92.43, 2 R Batterham (West Chesh) 96.00, 3 P Simpson (Liv H) 99.53. M70: 1 C Rathbone (Vale R) 1-43.59, 2 B Beattie (West Chesh) 1-53.52. M75: D Gardner (NWRR) 1-43.40.
 Ladies> 1 J Knass (Stockport) 80.01, 2 E Crowe (Wrex, L40) 80.04, 3 R Harrison (Cheadle, L35) 81.46, 4 L Blizzard (Belgrave, L35) 83.37, 5 J Lawton (Stockport, L45) 88.52, 6 K Morgan (Aberdare. L35) 88.57. U21: L Eite (ua) 2-02.56. SL: 2 J Murray (Knowsley Tri) 89.29. L40: 2 L Grantham (Pensby) 89.12, 3 R Court (ua) 90.31. L45: 2 C Hemming (Spectrum) 90.43, 3 A Morgan (Knowsley) 94.35. L50: 1 T Shipley (Chester Tri) 1-40.55, 2 J Robathan (Centurion) 1-43.31, 3 L Feakes (Helsby)  1-48.57. L55: 1 L Collinson (Sh Shufflers) 96.03, 2 K Kingsley (ua) 1-52.34, 3 M Huws (Abergele) 1-54.18. L60: C Williams (Vale R) 2-03.37. L65: L Simpson (Penny Lane) 2-04.11. L70:  S Poole (Holme Pierrepoint) 2-15.18.

Cinque Mulini

HUGHES SHINES IN ITALY

Menai's outstanding junior Iolo Hughes had another superb run while representing Wales in the prestigious Cinque Mulini cross-country meeting in Italy, finishing 3rd in the under-20s' race.

 In the senior race Dewi Griffiths (Swansea) came seventh and Wales took gold in the junior women's race through Olivia Gwynn (Swansea).

Manchester CC

ALEXANDER SECOND IN AGE-GROUP

Several athletes familiar on the North Wales scene figured prominently in the final race of the Manchester Area Cross-Country League in Wythenshawe Park.

 Thrirteenth overall and 11th senior man was Bangor Student Callum Rowlinson (Sale), and two places behind him was Damian Nicholls (Wilmslow), winner of the recent Nick Beer 10k.
 
 Third in the M45 class on the day was David Alexander (West Cheshire) but he finished second in the class over the   five fixtures, a week after winning the category in the Grand Prix Express North Wales League.

Welsh Schools' CC

PERRIN AND HUGHES TAKE GOLD

The Menai T & F pair of Osian Perrin and Cari Hughes both came away with gold from the Welsh Schools' cross-country championships in Brecon.

 Though neither of the North Wales districts won any of the team titles the Eryri district did very well, with the two individual wins, one second team prize and three thirds.

 Among the top 10 placings were:-
Year 7 Boys: 1 Osian Perrin (Llangefni) 9.56, 6 Tudur Potter (Friars) 10.33, 9 Michael Spill (Friars) 10.38, 14 Jack Hitchen (Castell Alun) 10.49, 15 Cai Hughes (Tryfan) 10.40, 19 James Jones (Argoed) 10.53. Teams: 3 Eryri.
 Junior Boys: 7 Kieran Forrest (Friars) 15.55, 9 Sion Jones (Dyffryn Nantlle) 16.00, 19 Cai Roberts (David Hughes) 16.30. Teams: 2 Eryri.
 Middle Boys: 3 Christian Smith (Darland) 18.46, 4 Oliver Barbaresi (F riars) 15.51, 8 Joseph Crutchley (Llanidloes) 19.09, 10 Mathew Pleavin (Brynhyfryd) 19.31, 12 Cai Linton (Friars) 20.07.
 Senior boys: 4 John Spill (Friars).
Year 7 Girls: 12 Freya Davies (Mold Alun) 11.44, 13 Heidi Palin (Brynhyfryd) 11.48, 16 Rheagan Edwards (St Richard Gwyn)  11.52, 20 Ffion Jones (Syr Hugh Owen) 11.55.
Junior Girls: 2 Holly Roberts (Glan Clwyd) 13.34, 5 Mia Roberts (Brynhyfryd) 13.40.
 Middle Girls: 1 Cari Hughes (Syr Thomas Jones) 16.00, 18 Eabah Roberts (Syr Thomas Jones) 18.26, 19 Annabelle McQueen (Creuddyn) 18.28, 20 Rhiannon Kamhink (Creuddyn) 18.30. Teams: 3 Eryri.
 Senior Girls: 4 Mollie Davies (David Hughes) 17.24, 5 Lily Davis (Mold Alun) 17.49, 7 Bronwen Jenkinson (St Gerrard's) 18.05, 14 Ellie New (Eirias) 19.17, 20 Vicky Gittins (Welshpool) 19.47. Teams: 3 Eryri.

Moel Yci

ROBERTS WINS SEASON OPENER

The traditional North Wales opener of the fell-running season at Moel Yci, Tregarth, attracted a good field, with several runners coming from over the border.

 Max Whitlock (Helsby) set the early pace but then lost ground when he chose the wrong line, allowing the experienced Mathew Roberts and Lloyd Taggart to move ahead.

 Roberts pulled away to record a comfortable win, while Welsh international Katie Beecher (Mynydd Du) was also in commanding form, finishing over three minutes ahead of runner-up Andrea Rowlands.

 Results: 1 M Roberts (ua)  35.53, 2 L Taggart (Manx, M40) 36.58, 3 R Grantham (Pensby, M40) 39.12, 4 GW Jones (ua) 39.34, 5 J Parkinson (Eryri, M40)  39.48, 6 T Budd (Glossopdale) 39.49. M50: 1 S Toogood (Buck) 43.04, 2 D Soles (Pennine) 44.13, 3 M Belshaw (Eryri) 44.58. M60: 1 SP Jones (Eryri) 42.06, 2 S Roberts (Osw) 48.37, 3 C Wilcox (Clwydian) 49.19. M70: 1 D Williams (Eryri) 56.40, 2 B Robbins (Eryri) 59.59, 3 G Fielding (Eryri) 60.23.
 Ladies: 1 K Beecher ( Mynydd Du) 42.54, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 46.03, 3 S Caskey (Bangor Uni) 46.12, 4 S Ridgway (ua, L40) 48.34, 6 M Hughes (Eryri) 50.15. L40: 3 V Whitehead (Denbigh) 52.03. L50: 1 E Salisbury (Eryri) 58.33, 2 J Riley (Eryri) 59.21, 3 T Underwood (ua) 64.32. L60: M Oliver (Eryri) 63.57.

GP Express NW CC League (final)

BANGOR STUDENTS DO IT BY DEGREES

Bangor University students created a piece of history by winning Division 1 of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League for the first time - and their victory came just 12 months after gaining promotion to the top flight.

 In the final fixture at Oswestry the students finished one point behind Shrewsbury but, crucially, they were ahead of their nearest challengers Eryri Harriers.

 Buckley topped Division 2 and will replace Telford next year, while in the ladies' competition Eryri and Denbigh won the Division 1 and 2 titles respectively. Telford again face the drop to Division 2.

 The individual winners were junior man Ben Ashcroft (Shrewsbury), in his first season in the League, and Alison Lavender (Oswestry), who has now won three times in the last five years.

 The Bebbington Trophy for Endeavour was awarded to Abergele veteran Chris Birch who has been a stalwart of the League for  30 years and is among the country's top runners in the F65 class.

 Results of final fixture. Men: 1 R Roberts (Eryri) 34.53, 2 O Roberts (Eryri, U20) 36.19, 3 J Haduk (Bangor Uni) 36.29, 4 D Alexander (West Chesh, M45) 36.37, 5 P Middleton (Shrews) 36.58, 6 L Renton (Bangor Uni) 37.01, 7 B Ashcroft (Shrews, U20) 37.07, 8 A Nash (Bangor Uni) 37.13, 9 A McNay (Tattenhall) 37.27, 10 W Sheridan (Dee) 37.43.
 Teams. Division 1: Shrewsbury 101, Bangor Uni  102, Eryri 115, Oswestry 205, Deeside 254, T attenhall 429, Meirionnydd 460, Telford 691. Division 2: Buckley 252, Colwyn Bay 313, Whitchurch 337, Denbigh 407, Prestatyn 470, West Cheshire 544, Wrecsam Tri 644, Wrexham 687, Aberystwyth 714, Deestriders 722, Bro Dysynni 724, Abergele 725.
  Masters. M40: 1 J Brown (Buck) 37.51, 2 C Jones (Eryri) 39,38, 3 I Lowe (Osw)  39.53. M45: 1 Alexander, 2 G Blackwell (Dee) 38.34, 3 K Francis (Shrews) 39.05. M50: 1 E Campbell (Buck) 38.43, 2 R Jones (Shrews)  39.40, 3 J Randell (Meir) 41.25. M55: 1 SP Jones (Eryri)  40.21, 2 G Jones (Shrews)  40.29, 3 A Lewis (Eryri) 41.38. M60: 1 S Roberts (Osw) 43.57, 2 P Savill ( Shrews) 44.32, 3 G Nixon (Prest) 45.30. M65: 1 P Walker (Wrex) 49.59, 2 JG Evans (Aberystwyth) 51.25, 3 G Hughes (Prest) 53.47.
 Teams: Shrewsbury 22, Buckley 24, Eryri 30, Oswestry 36. Denbigh 81, Colwyn Bay 82, Whitchurch 88, Prestatyn 100, Tattenhall 147.
  
  Men over 70: 1 D Williams (Eryri) 27.35, 2 A Egan (Wrex) 28.22, 3 D Hughes (Prest, M75) 31.36, 4 A Hodgkiss (Tel) 34.39, 5 MH Edwards (Wrex) 35.41, 6 R Billington (Wrex, M80) 40.14, 7 J Tipping (Wrex, M75) 42.15, 8 P Norman (Wrex, M75) 47.20. Team: Wrexham 13.

 Men under 17: 1 C Smith (Wrex) 19.08, 2 M Pleavin (Wrex) 19.34, 3 S Sussex (Wrex) 20.42, 4 L Henry (Dee) 21.19, 5 S Williams (Eryri) 22.03, 6 A Williams (Wrex) 22.25. Team: Wrexham 6.

 Ladies: 1 A Lavender (Osw) 19.53, 2 C Hughes (Menai, U17) 20.48, 3 S Caskey (Bangor Uni) 22.13, 4 L Wright (Wrex, L45) 22.27, 5 D Williams (Menai) 22.35, 6 B Taylor (Bangor Uni) 22.50, 7 C Jones (Osw, L35) 23.27, 8 A Robinson (Tatt) 23.36, 9 B Jenkinson (Eryri, U20) 23.50, 10 A Muller (West Chesh) 23.54.
 Teams. Division 1: Oswestry 51, Eryri 60, Wrexham 111, Buckley 125, Colwyn Bay 137, Menai 157, Telford 225. Division 2: Bangor University 49, Tattenhall 67, Denbigh 69, Prestatyn 85, Shrewsbury 110, West Cheshire 160, Shrewsbury 165, Abergele 184, Bro Dysynni 190, Deestriders 210.

Masters. L35: 1 C Jones, 2 L Emery-Jones (Eryri) 24.17, 3 C Williams (Tel) 24.40. L40: 1 L Morley (Wrex) 24.04, 2 V Whitehead (Den) 25.02, 3 J Heming (Eryri) 25.41. L45: 1 Wright, 2 H McArthur (CB) 24.52, 3 A Tickn er (Osw) 25.12. L50: 1 E Collins (Den) 24.31, 2 Y Hill (Osw) 26.25, 3 S Hancock (Osw) 26.37. L55: 1 G Waring (Prest) 27.24, 2 S Greaves (Osw) 29.42, 3 A Whitelaw (Wrex) 29.51. L60: 1 M Docking (Wrex) 29.22, 2 S Richards (Shrews) 40.23. L65: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 27.15, 2 M Oliver (Eryri) 31.17, 3 Y Marconi-Nolan (Bro Dys) 36.02.  L70: 1 B Jones (Bro Dys) 34.15, 2 M Singleton (CB) 36.39.
 Teams: Eryri 24, Oswestry 27, Wrexham 38, Denbigh 51, Buckley 53, Colwyn Bay 71, Whitchurch 76, Shrewsbury 116
.
END OF SEASON RESULTS

Men under 17: 1 C Smith, 2 R Cain (Menai), 3 S Sussex. Team: Wrexham.
Men under 20: 1 Ashcroft, 2 Roberts, 3 M Blackwell (Dee).
Senior men: 1 Ashcroft, 2 Alexander, 3 Hudak, 4 Sheridan, 5 F Maier (Eryri), 6 M Green (NWRR).
Teams. Division 1: Bangor University 742, Eryri 785, Shrewsbury 1,001, Oswestry 1,103, Deeside 1,163, Tattenhall 1,748, Meirionnydd 2,467, Telford 3,221. Division 2: Buckley 1,521, Colwyn Bay 1,818, Prestatyn 2,023, Whitchurch 2,152, Denbigh 2,238, Wrecsam Tri 2,909, Wrexham 3,278, Abergele 3,390, West Cheshire 3,395, Deestriders 3,441, Aberystwyth 3,945, Bro Dysynni 4,107.

M40: 1 Green, 2 T Tansley (Osw), 3 I Lowe (Osw).
M45: 1Alexander, 2 G Blackwell, 3  Francis
M50: (equal) E Campbell and R Jones, 3 Randell.
M55: G Jones (Prest), 2 SP Jones, 3 Lewis.
M60: 1 Savill, 2 Roberts, 3 Nixon.
M65: 1 Walker, 2 Evans, 3 J Nolan (Bro Dys).
Teams: Shrewsbury 169, Oswestry 215, Buckley 224, Eryri 253, Denbigh 454, Prestatyn 480, Colwyn Bay 489, Tattenhall 582.

M70: 1 Williams, 2 Egan, 3 Edwards.
M75: 1 Hughes, 2 Tipping, 3 Norman.
M80: Billington
Team: Wrexham

Ladies under 17: G Morris (CB)
Ladies under 20: Jenkinson.
Senior ladies: 1 Lavender, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri), 3 Wright, 4 Caskey, 5 C Jones, 6 Muller.
 Teams. Division 1: Eryri 250, Oswestry 308, Wrexham 481, Colwyn Bay 611, Buckley 767, Menai 934, Telford 1,166. Division 2: Denbigh 302, Whitchurch 490, Bangor Uni 558, Tattenhall 611, Prestatyn 618, West Cheshire 867, Abergele 908, Shrewsbury 1,025, Bro Dysynni 1,055, Deestriders 1,124.

L35: 1 C Jones, 2 Emery-Jones, 3 M Hughes (Eryri).
L40: 1 Rowlands, 2 Morley, 3 Whitehead.
L45: 1 Wright, 2 McArthur, 3 Tickner.
L50: 1 Collins, 2 Hill, 3 Hancock.
L55: 1 Waring, 2 Whitelaw, 3 M Baugh (Denbigh).
L60: 1 Docking, 2 Richards.
L65: 1 Birch, 2 Oliver. 3 Marconi-Nolan.
L70: 1 B Jones, 2 Singleton.
Teams: Eryri 102, Wrexham 141, Oswestry 152, Denbigh 242, Colwyn Bay 406.

Milton Keynes Challenge

N WALIANS IN SPARKLING FORM IN MK

Four of North Wales's outstanding athletes were again in superb form at the Milton Keynes Cross Challenge.

 In the U20s' race Iolo Hughes (Menai) finished second just 14 seconds behind Ireland's Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis) while in the senior men's event Andrew Davies (Stockport), winner of the Northern championships two weeks ago, finished fourth. He was 11 seconds behind reigning Welsh champion Dewi Griffiths (Swansea).

 And on a good day for the Menai club Oliver Barbaresi also came second in the U15s'  race - his first podium place in the Cross Challenge series - and Cai Linton was fourth in the U17s' event.

Nick Beer 10k

ANOTHER WIN FOR NICHOLLS

Wilmslow's Damian Nicholls, who has chalked up a host of successes on his trips to North Wales, claimed another victory in the Nick Beer 10 around Llandudno's Great Orme.

 He won in 32.56, coming home 12 seconds clear of Warrington veteran Nick Jones, with triathlete Stephen Skates third.

 The outstanding performance of the day came from the ladies' champion Laura Day (Notts), who finished eighth overall in 35.46.

 Results: 1 D Nicholls (Wilm) 32.56, 2 N Jones (Warr, M40) 33.04, 3 S Skates (ua, M35) 33.22, 4 G Owen (Eryri, M35) 33.44, 5 S Sayer (Menai) 34.11, 6 R Bentley (Eryri) 34.34, 7 P Wathan (Eryri) 34.39, 8  L Day (Notts, SL) 35.46, 9 JE Morris (Denbigh) 36.05, 10 A Sudlow (Tattenhall)  36.05.
 JM: 1 A Ryder (Prestatyn) 41.32, 2 S Holt (CB) 43.22, 3 C Davies (ua) 44.37.
 M35: 3 R Arden (Tatt) 37.44.
 M40: 2 J Pendrill (Wilm) 36.21, 3 J Bygrave (Wilm) 37.26.
 M45 : 1 A Whittingham (Wilm) 36.44, 2 N Willsher (ua) 37.49, 3 M Hill (Wilm) 38.22.
M50: 1 K Lilley (Sheff) 37.23, 2 N Hershaw (West Chesh) 38.27, 3 M Belshaw (Eryri) 39.52.
 M55: 1 PMW Jones (ua) 40.03, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 40.44, 3 D Weaver (Eryri) 41.20.
M60: 1 T McGaff (Wilm) 37.59, 2 A Watt (Wilm) 44.07. 3 S O'Neill (ua) 44.22.
M65: 1 T Hulme (Wilm) 45.44, 2 T Hill (Cybi) 47.41, 3 G Howell (Liv H) 49.35.
M70: 1 M Storry (Village RR) 55.19, 2 J Park (Cheshire Tally Ho) 55.38, 3 T Faulkner (Wilm)  56.57.

LADIES.
1 L Day (Notts)  35.46, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 38.47, 3 S Johnstone (Wilm, L40) 38.58, 4 J Clague (Liv H, L40) 39.13, 5 S Hunt (Wirral) 39.28.
 JL: T Buddug (ua) 52.11
 L35: 1 R Brand (Manchester Tri) 42.14, 2 T Llewellyn (Cybi) 42.40, 3 M Hughes (Eryri) 44.03.
 L45: 1 J Ellis (Wilm) 42.20, 2 H McArthur (CB) 43.58,  3 H Rahman (Wilm) 44.38.
 L50: 1 N Davies (ua) 45.23, 2 A McCarthy (Wilm) 47.15, 3 S Jones (Cybi) 47.58.
 L55: 1 N Mowat (Wilm) 45.47, 2 C Wilkins (Lancaster and Morecambe) 52.59, 3 M Kelly (ua) 55.08.
 L60: 1 L Stillo (Goyt Valley) 51.01, 2 L Evans (ua) 53.42, 3 J Smith (Sheff) 53.51.
 L65: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 47.05, 2 R Rogers (West Chesh) 52.41, 3 M Oliver (Eryri) 56.29.

PB for Jones

TRACK PB FOR JONES

GB mountain international Nathan Jones  (Eryri) from Rhyl, who is studying at McNeese State University in Louisiana, set a new pb of 8-31.42 in winning the 3,000 metres at the University open meeting. In third place was fellow McNeese student Ryan Holroyd (Stone MM) in 8-42.17.

Alsager 5

LONGLEY EXTENDS HIS GOOD FORM

Prestatyn's Dean Longley was the first North Wales finisher in the Alsager 5, finishing 38th overall in  26.41.

 The first woman was veteran Olympian Helen Clitheroe in 27.24, with Alison Lavender (Oswestry) fourth less than 24 hours after winning Saturday's cross-country in  Lilleshall.

 Among other North Wales results were: 69 John E Morris (Denbigh) 28.30, 77 Simon Roberts (Buckley)  28.49, 90 Craig Davies (Deestriders) 29.14, 90 Emma Crowe (Wrex)   29. 58.

GP Express NWCC League (4)

MUD PROVES TO BE NOTHING UNTO-WARD

There was a sense of deja-vu about the fourth  fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League at Lilleshall where Telford's Paul Ward and Richard Roberts (Eryri) renewed their battle from last year.

 In very muddy conditions the two pulled away from the rest of the field early on and were at close quarters for three of the four laps until the Shropshire veteran put his foot down to repeat last year's success.

 Though the meeting clashed with the BUCS championships in Brighton and Bangor University finished sixth on the day they still hold a 30-point lead over Eryri but will be made to work hard in the final race next Saturday if they are to win the Division 1 title for the first time.

 Shrewsbury top the Masters' table while Eryri's ladies are virtually sure of their Division 1  title. They were second to Oswestry on the day but are 67 points clear.

 With only 43 ladies finishing the field was about half the normal size.

 * Among the placings in the BUCS championships were:- Men: 136 Daniel Kashi (Bangor) 46.04, 146 Joe Hudak (Bangor) 46.28, 192 Owen Mitchell (Bangor) 48.23, 205 William Woodrush (Aberystwyth) 49.01, 206 Harry Mullen (Aberystwyth) 49.05, 255 Johnny Ryan (Aberystwyth) 52.31, 262 Tim Brook (Aberystwyth) 53.00. Ladies: 126 Be ckie Taylor (Bangor) 28.06, 193 Abbie Cheetham (Keele) 29.52.

 Results of Telford  fixture (at Lilleshall):- 1 P Ward (Telford, M45) 33.04, 2 R Roberts (Eryri) 33.33, 3 D Arkwright (Shrewsbury, U20) 35.25, 4 J Burrows (Tel, U20) 35.37, 5 P Holland (Aberystwyth) 35.51, 6 A McNay (Tattenhall) 36.02, 7 O Roberts (Eryri, U20) 36.05, 8  D Alexander (West Chesh, M45) 36.13, 9 W Sheridan (Dee) 36.31, 10 M Green (NWRR, M40) 36.37.
 Teams. Division 1: Shrewsbury 128, Eryri 153,  Tattenhall 156, Deeside 160, Telford 232, Bangor University 341, Oswestry 559, Meirionnydd 521. Division 2: Colwyn Bay 332, Whitchurch 340, Buckley 384, Prestatyn 444, Denbigh 463, West Cheshire 549, NWRR 602, Aberystwyth 630, Wrexham 636, Wrecsam Tri 638, Bro Dysynni 734, Deestriders 735.

Masters. M40: 1 Green, 2 P Taylor (Tatt) 37.51, 3 C Jones (Eryri) 38.29. M45: 1 Ward, 2 Alexander, 3 G Blackwell (Dee) 37.24. M50: 1 E Campbell (Buck) 37.59, 2 R Jones (Shrews) 38.10, 3 M Robbins (Wrex) 38.53. M55: 1 SP Jones (Eryri) 38.39, 2 G Jones (Shrews) 39.15, 3 A Lewis (Eryri) 39.36. M60: 1 P Savill (Shrews) 40.16, 2 S Roberts (Osw) 41.56, 3 R Hailey (Tel) 43.12. M65: 1 J Nolan (Bro Dys) 54.10, 2 R Mackey (Buck) 61.53.
Teams: Shrewsbury 30, Telford 33, Eryri 38, Tattenhall 54, Oswestry 58, Buckley 78, Prestatyn 87, Whitchurch 97, Colwyn Bay 107, Denbigh 113, Deeside 117,
 M70: 1 D Williams (Eryri) 29.19, 2 A Egan (Wrex) 30.05, 3 MH Edwards (Wrex) 35.25, 4 R Billington (Wrex, M80) 42.21, 5 J Tipping (Wrex) 45.14, 6  P Norman (Wrex, M75) 48.15.  Te am: Wrexham 9.

Men under 17: 1 C Smith (Wrex) 19.40, 2 A Burrows (Tel) 19.50, 3 J Spill (Eryri)  20.10, 4 R Cain (Menai) 21.34, 5 S Sussex (Wrex) 22.06, 6 S Williams (Eryri) 23.50, 7 A Williams (Wrex) 24.52. Team: Wrexham 13.

Ladies: 1 A Lavender (Osw) 22.00, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 23.46, 3 A Muller (West Chesh) 24.30, 4 C Jones (Os, L35) 24.46, 5 L Morley (Wrex, L40) 25 .15, 6 J Harvey (Tatt) 25.35, 7 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 25.52, 8   H Evans (Buck, L35) 26.00, 9 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40)26.14, 10 B Jenkinson (Eryri U20) 26.25.
Teams. Division 1: Oswestry 37, Eryri 42, Wrexham 118, Colwyn Bay 122, Telford 123, Buckley 137, Menai 150. Division 2: Denbigh 38, Whitchurch 81, NWRR 97, West Cheshire 103, Shrewsbury 115, Abergele 123, Tattenhall 124, Bro Dysynni 139, Deestriders 141.

 Masters. L35  : 1 C Jones, 2 H Evans, 3 L Dudleston (Whit) 27.11. L40: 1 Rowlands, 2 Morley, 3 Whitehead. L45: 1 H McArthur (CB) 22.27, 2 A Tickner (Osw) 26.29, 3 S Rowlands (Eryri) 27.20. L50: 1 Collins, 2 S Hancock (Osw) 28.21, 3 Y Hill (Osw)  28.25. L55: 1 A Whitelaw (Wrex) 31.07, 2 M Baugh (Denbigh) 33.40, 3 M Byrne (Shrews) 34.14. L60: 1 M Docking (Wrex) 31.26, 2 S Richards (Shrews) 41.48. L65: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 28.32, 2 M Oliver (Eryri) 33.05, 3 Y Marconi-Nolan (Bro Dys) 37.38. L70: M Singleton (CB) 38.42.
 Teams: Eryri 21, Oswestry 24, Denbigh 39, Wrexham 52, Colwyn Bay 55, Whitchurch 61, Shrewsbury 92.

AGGREGATE AFTER FOUR RACES.
Men. Division 1: Bangor University 640, Eryri 670, Shrewsbury 900, Deeside 909, Oswestry 988, Tattenhall  1,319, Meirionnydd 2,007, Telford 2,530. Division 2: Buckley 1,269, Colwyn Bay 1,505, Prestatyn 1,553, Whitchurch 1,815, Denbigh 1,831, Wrecsam Tri 2,265, NWRR 2,385, Wrexham 2,591, West Cheshire 2,851, Aberystwyth  3.231, Bro Dysynni 3,383.
 Masters. Shrewsbury 147, Oswestry 179, Buckley 200, Eryri 223, Denbigh 373, Prestatyn 380, Colwyn Bay 407, Tattenhall 435, Deeside 525.

Ladies. Division 1: Eryri 190, Oswestry 257, Wrexham 370, Colwyn Bay 474, Buckley 642, Menai 777, Telford 941. Division 2: Denbigh 233, Whitchurch 380, Prestatyn 533, NWRR 534, Tattenhall 544, West Cheshire 707, Abergele 724, Shrewsbury 860, Bro Dysynni 865, Deestriders 914.