Mee makes encouraging start

Jack Mee, last year’s under-20 gold medallist, had a promising run for fourth place in 31 minutes seven seconds, half a minute behind winner Garry Hughes of Dursley over the 9.5k undulating farmland course.

Jamie Langley kicked off his first senior crosscountry season by coming home 22nd in 33.24, followed by newcomers Steve Howes (38th) and Ian Thwaites (44th).

Nick Tawney (66th) and Brian Miller (71st) completed the six-man team which finished third behind Bromsgrove & Redditch and Cheltenham Harriers.

Richard Simkiss led Kenilworth Runners to sixth place.

Simkiss, who enjoyed an excellent season on the road, was seventh in 31.46, with Phil Gould 12th (32.30) and Mike Johnson 13th (32.36).

James Griffiths (45th), Pete Matthews (80th) and John Dagnan (136th) completed the team.

Monica Williamson led the Leamington senior women’s team home in eighth, with Kassie Betts (21st) and Emma Day (23rd) both producing impressive opening-day runs to leave C&AC in second place behind Clevedon AC.

Kenilworth’s ladies’ team were led home by an ever-improving Sally Hicks, who came 68th in 31.51.

Mandy Crust (82nd), Pauline Dable (96th) and debutant Joan Mason were the remaining Kenilworth finishers.

Guy Allen was the pick of the young athletes, the C&AC prospect staying composed in a hard race for second place behind winner Kyran Hale of Severn.

Ray Charlton’s 15th and George Loveday’s 17th put the team into second place.

Finley Wilde (8th) and Sam Wadsworth (9th) worked well together in a competitive under- 13 boys’ race, while Emily Baker, in the under-15 girls’, and Lydia Mee and newcomer Sophie James, in the under-17 girls’, produced solid performances.

Leamington’s sole under-11 
competitor, Toby Loveday, was 19th.