Green machine in hot form

from St Mary’s University in London to compete in his first race for months due to injury and he provided good back up to in form Aaron Kettlewell.

Kettlewell led the team home in 19th (29.32), with Law just three seconds behind in 20th.

Alex Robinson ran well in 27th (29.55) and with Harry Shelbourne in 51st (32.32) the team finished in bronze medal position, to add to their silver and gold of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Sam O’Shea narrowly missed out on a team place, in 53rd (32.42) and Niall O’Connell completed the Holmfirth contingent in 64th (34.12).

Holmfirth’s Senior women were unable to finish a team due to illness taking a few of the regulars out.

The women’s race was held over the same 8km course as the U20 men and by now parts were very sticky with mud.

Helen Berry found the course tough going and finished in 27th (33.29). Ruby Sykes improved on last year, in a quality field of 435, in 54th (34.58).

The Senior men’s race saw Kai Sunman, newcomer to the longer distance, lead Holmfirth’s athletes over the 12km testing course and finishing in 119th (46.02).

Stu Sharpe also enjoyed a strong run as he finished in 136th place (46.38).

Veteran Mike Fanning, not a familiar face on the cross country scene, had a great performance to come home in 167th (47.34), and he was chased home by Tim Street in 175th (47.41).

Phil Hewitt ran consistently well for 213th (48.52) as did Jonny Sykes to bring the team home in 14th position in 279th (50.48).

The other Holmfirth placings were: 356th Chris Beadle (52.32), 431st Alistair Langron (54.38), 472nd John Ewart (55.45), 569th Louis Cromwell (58.47), 636th Robert Robinson (62.34) and 707th Jason Haigh (67.47).