YOUNGSTERS from the Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club did well competing in the Essex County Cross-Country League meeting at Great Notley on Saturday.
The 13-strong Under-13 girls' squad had a good start to the day by coming second and they had the largest turn-out of any club in this age group.
Emily Marshall and Rebecca Brown both made the top 10, in eighth and tenth respectively while Katie Mitchell (14th) and Jessica Mitchell (19th) completed the scoring four.
For most of the other nine club runners, this race marked their competitive debut in this league with Kate O'Neill (24th) and Sophie Rand (27th) both inside the top 30.
Also second were the 10 strong U15 Girls – who were also the biggest squad in their category – with good packing from Gemma Archer-Haley in 11th, Sarah Wilson who returned after a long injury lay-off with 14th, debutant Lois Wyatt in 15th and Jess Ward in 17th place.
Amy Baggs also made the top 20 in 18th with Heidi Surman Wells in 23rd providing strong support.
Both U 17 teams were third. Lydia Hallam led home the U17 Women in fifth with Bella Woods 14th and Lindsay McLachlan 27th and Becky Ward 28th, while the U 17 Men James Kidd was first finisher for the men in sixth with Nick Shade 11th, Andrew Holland 13th and Ed Thompson 24th placed ensuring third place overall.
The Senior Men had a good turn out with ten athletes in the club's colours who earned a sixth place finish. A strong run by Rob Warner led them home in fifth and Steve Rand ran well to take 18th with Ian Anthony not too far back in 36th.
Matt Bland took another step on the comeback trail in 48th with Simon Hart 52nd and newcomer Sam Jackson 77th making up the scoring team. U20 Massi Dendani was one place back in 78th leaving the team just outside the top six.
Vicky Smith was also fifth in the Senior Women's race with Jade Edwards (29th), Angie Thompson (36th) and the returning Megan Foley (38th) completing the scorers in sixth. The "mums' army" of Juliet Ward (60th), Mo Lear (70th), Jane Hallam (73rd), Tracey O'Neill (77th), Bobbie Westwood (83rd) and Claire Rudgley (89th) set a good example to their off spring.
The U 13 boys were fourth and the U15 boys sixth.
