The 5^th and final fixture in this season’s Manchester Area Cross Country League returned to the windswept University playing fields in Wythenshawe.

First to run were the Under 11s. Evan Lewis had a great run to finish 10^th out of 66 runners in the boys race, with twins Barney (57^th) and Joe Watson (65^th) helping the team finish in 13^th place.  The girls race saw Martha McCormack and Daisy Atkiss both having good runs in 19^th & 20^th positions. Sadie McCormack finished in 60^th place, ensuring 12^th team.

The Under 13 race saw 10 Trafford boys & 2 girls take part. Leading the boys was the ever-consistent Charlie Atkiss in 12^th place. The next 3 scorers all came in close together, Sonny Wilson 17^th, James Walton 19^th & Josh Watson 21^st. They were followed by a much-improved Joseph Daly 29^th, Owen Reekie 39^th, Ralf Syrett 44^th, Zack Watson 45^th, Austin Smith 48^th & Ed Robinson 53^rd. For the girls,

Imogen Davenport was 45^th & Fay Lewis 69^th.

Jack McNicol had a convincing 13 second victory in the Under 15 Boys race, ensuring an overall victory in the league. Tom Bentall showed some of his old form by coming in 13^th, with Alex Brown completing the team in 27^th place.

Perhaps the most impressive Trafford performances of the day came in the Under 15 Girls race. In a field of 40, they packed 6 in 22 places and only narrowly lost the team award by 2 places. Leading the team home was Caitlin Doohan in 6^th, followed by Neve Davenport 9^th, Lila Wainwright 15^th, Sinead O’Driscoll 18^th, Olivia Russell 20^th and Amy Nunn 22^nd.

Trafford’s Under 17 Men completely dominated their race, finishing 8 in the first 17 places and winning the league. Leading them home was Cynog Williams in 2^nd place, also giving him 2^nd in the individual overall league. Behind him were Joe Bentall 5^th, Alex Bailey 6^th, Harry Sinclair 8^th, Joe Mangan 12^th, Seb Patrick 13^th, Theo Symons Treacher 16^th and Lewis Royle 17^th. 6 of these athletes will be in the same age group next year, so will be hoping to repeat this year’s team victory.

Rebecca Young was our only representative in the Under 17 Womens race, coming home in a consistent 9^th place. Hopefully next season she will have more company in this age group, when some of the Trafford Under 15 Girls move up.

A final mention goes to Mac O’Malley & Jack Wilkinson, who finished 1^st & 2^nd Under 20s in the Senior race at the same venue.

No races next weekend, but several of the athletes will be travelling to Leeds for the National Cross Country Championships on February 23^rd.

Neil Canham