There was some intense competition at the third Shropshire Star sponsored Shropshire Young Athletes Cross Country League of the season held at Much Wenlock.

The biggest field of the day in the Under 11 boys saw Matt Jones of Oswestry win his third race of the season finishing strongly in 5.41. Idris Jones of Ludlow making his league debut ran well to finish second just 7 seconds behind. Bridgnorth athletes Jake Bennett and Jonathan Fletcher filled the next two places in 5.56 and 5.57. Another Ludlow debutant Joe Jones was 5th in 6.00 whilst Aberystwyth's Stephan Williams, completed the top 6 in 6.01. Bridgnorth again won the team race with 5 runners in the top 11, with Oswestry second and Telford third.

Bridgnorth's Jenny Cotham who was second in the opening race at Newport has now won her next two races this time coming home in 6.23, 10 seconds clear of her nearest rival Amy Partridge of host club Wenlock Olympians in her first race of the season.Telford's Sarah Howells repeated her third place from Oswestry in 6.38, with Wenlock's Zoe Partridge 4th in 6.42. Beth Martin of Bridgnorth was again 5th in 6.46 Whilst Sophie Curzon led the Oswestry team home in 6th, 6.53. Telford won a very close team race by just 2 points from Oswestry Olympians with Shrewsbury AC third.

The under 13 girls race saw Harriet Grandfield from Shrewsbury AC move to the front ahead of the winners of the previous two races Jaala Kenchington and Kelsey Collins. But with 600m to go Ludlow's Jaala Kenchington moved to the front to win by 8 seconds in 6.51. Harriet held on for second her highest placing of the season whilst Kelsey Collins led Telford AC to win the team race in 7.04. Bridgnorth's Zoe Sterling was 4th in 7.10 with Telford's Chloe Murphy 5th, 7.12 and Oswestry's Lauren Bathers 6th in 7.21.

Ryan Heath had a comfortable victory in the Under 13 boys race winning his third race of the season by 15 seconds in 10.07. William Wallace of Bridgnorth in his first league race of the season was second in 10.22 with the Oswestry brothers Ryan and Greg Stokes 3rd and 4th in 10.29 and 10.43. Telford's Andrew Parkes was 5th repeating his Oswestry position in 12.13 whilst Oswestry's Rory Jones was 6th in 12.19.

The under 15 girls race was another close race with Megan Lloyd of Ludlow and the winners of the two previous races Rhiannon Linnington Payne of Bridgnorth and Nicole Hilliker of Telford forcing the early pace. These 3 stayed together for the first lap and a half, but after Megan stumbled, Rhiannon moved away over the last 600m to win in 10.14 and lead her club to team victory. Megan Lloyd from Minton repeated her second place from the Newport race 14 seconds behind the winner. Telford's Nicole Hilliker was third, 10.32 with Aberystwyth's Elinor Thorogood 4th in 10.46. Emma Askins of Bridgnorth completed a hat trick of 5th placings whilst Steph Butler of Oswestry was 6th.Bridgnorth continued their unbeaten record in this age group with Oswestry second and Telford third.

Telford's Alex Russell won the under 15 boys race running the 4000m course in 13.53, followed by Bridgnorth's David Bowden in 14.05.Oswestry's Rowan Dell got revenge over Telford's Dennis Gardner as these two reveresd their positions from Oswestry with Rowan third in 14.02 and Dennis 4th in 14.11. Telford won the team race with Bridgnorth second and Owestry third.

Paul Sanderson