Harriers prove muddy marvels

●● Rob Webb ATHLETICS STEVE DUXBURY

WITH the cross country season well underway the second match of the Red Rose League took place at a very chilly Astley Park in Chorley, where the recent rain made conditions very heavy for the runners.

However, that didn’t prevent Rossendale Harriers from achieving some notable successes on the day.

Joe Ormrod was unlucky not to make it two ●● Joel Taylor wins out of two in the U13 Boys race but he was pipped on the line by Blackburn’s Dexta Thompson after a thrilling finish.

Joe was first up the hill before the long finishing straight but just couldn’t hang on to the lead.

It would have been a notable scalp for the youngster as his opponent has dominated local races recently so it was an excellent performance.

Like at Leigh in the first fixture Jamie Clayton and Billy Smith helped Joe to third placed team but they will have to improve in the last two fixtures to stay in a team medal position.

The girls couldn’t quite match them but they improved on fifth place at Leigh with top twenty finishes from Isabel Cunningham and Evie Taylor to take them into fourth position.

Joel Taylor continues to go from strength to strength and his second place on Saturday in the U15 Boys race, just two seconds behind Bury’s Francis Woodcock was another great performance and he beat sev- ●● Ben Forrest eral very good athletes in the process. The muddy conditions and the undulating course probably suited him and with two more similar fixtures to come he’s in a great position in the overall rankings.

Max Cunningham finished well for fifth place and Ryan Heneghan completed the team for second place.

Lauryn Gregg, consistent as ever, finished in fourth place in the Girls race and top twenty finishes from Holly Pegg and Lily Haygarth helped the team to third place.

Matty Mackay, looked totally in control from the gun in the U17 Mens race and at the finish the England International fell runner had almost half a minute to spare over second place.

Strong runs from Ben Forrest, fourth, and Kurtis Mitton in tenth ensured silver medal position for the valley lads, just narrowly losing out to Bury, who look like their biggest rivals for the overall title. Lucy Pick also had a great run for fifth place in the women’s race.