This Saturday saw the Northern x-country return to Witton Park in Blackburn. The course is one of the most popular courses in the North with some fast flat running combined with hills and mud sections.

Some of the U13 athletes like Anna Thomas were making their debut in the event and after a steady start it was great to see Anna move through the field to finish 75th out of 121 athletes.

Trafford's best individual performance of the day came from Adrian White in the boys U13 race. Adrian held 4th place for the first half of the race but using his Fell running experience he kicked off the top of the hill to move in to 2nd place down the hill establishing a lead over 3rd that would not be caught. Ben Gardner has been following Adrian all winter and it shouldn't be overlooked what a good run finishing 15th Ben had. Well done to James Wilson gaining great experience finishing 104th.

In the U15 age group Trafford are showing great depth as well as quality. The girls team led by an impressive run from Elizabeth Sinclair (25th) finished 5th team whilst the B Team were 12th overall as well. Isobel Thomas 37th, Rachel Bowden 67th and Sophie Bowman 84th completed the A team along with Elizabeth. Trafford's B Team was Martha McCormack (90th), Samrawit Tekle (102nd), Daisy Atkiss (118th) and with her best run this winter Sadie McCormack (127th).

In the boys race it was a close team battle for the title between Trafford and Keithley, with the hills just helping Keithley to win by 9 points and Trafford 74 points clear of the 3rd place team. Individually Jay Hutchinson (9th) continued the improvement he has shown this winter. Pio Aron (14th) had his best run of the winter with a strong finish. With the success of other runners it has gone under the radar how well Fin Dobson Emmas (21st) is running this winter. It was a real battle for the 4th place on the Trafford A team with both Ben Keeley (31st) and Evan Lewis (35th) producing their best runs this winter. Again showing great depth Trafford Boys B Team were 11th overall and 1st B Team, Archie Greenwood (59th), Tio Austin (83rd), Rowan Leeming (96th).

Trafford's best team result of the day came in the U17 women's race. Sara and Ava Clough were always close to the lead group and it was Sara who had a great run and finish to move up to 6th place. Close behind in 8th was Ava and not far back was Freya Griffiths in 13th. With athletes from Derby and Salford coming into the home straight Trafford still needed a fourth runner and Cleo Bentall (56th) produced a great run to give Trafford the team title.

In the mens U17 race Freddie Meredith ran a very experienced race. He was sitting off the fast early pace of the lead group, then just picked athletes off all the way to the finish to get a brilliant 6th place. Like Sara and Ava in the Women's race Freddie has another year in this age group. Trafford have great depth and team spirit in the U17 men's age group and this was rewarded with a surprise 3rd Team place. Again it was good packing of the team behind Freddie with Joe Deighton (33rd), Jack Haworth (35th) and Josh Watson (39th). The mens B Team finishing 8th and Traffords C Team finishing 9th team overall.

In the U20 Men's race Fin Proffitt continued his road back to fitness with a strong 9th place. He was backed up by the youngster in this age group Louie McCormack (31st), Matt Bawtree (55th) and Ned Silvey (61st) putting the team in 6th place.

In the Senior races the men finished higher than the women this time coming 17th. They were led by Laurence Skidmore (147th), Jeff Prest (183rd), Naeem Stevens (206th), Dan Atkinson (297th), Dan Hill (306th) and Jacob Fletcher (320th).

The women's team were 21st led by Zoe Storr (98th), Amy Cauley (116th), Kate Meeson (117th) and Sue Exon (247th).

Results can be seen here.