FOLLOWING excellent team and individual results in the Cornwall AAA's Championship last Saturday, the runners of Penair School Cross Country Club returned to a league race on Saturday.

The occasion was the penultimate race in the Gwent Cross Country League which was run at Blaire Castle, Bristol. This is a top cross country league attracting in excess of 20 clubs in each category. Among those competing were Bristol, Swansea, Westbury, Cardiff, Newport, Aberdare and Carmarthen athletic clubs with the younger age group attracting fields of about 50 athletes in each category.

The Penair girls had an outstanding day with the u13 team now holding a good lead in their league while the u15 girls have now moved to within a few points of the leading team. The final race in Carmarthen will settle the team and individual winners.

Penair's boys' teams also made progress in their leagues to be just outside the three medal positions.

Eleanor Davies has improved with each race and showed great strength and determination to finish second in the u15 girl's race just holding off the challenge of Elaina Gard whose season is also coming together at the right time. Alicia Regan (10th) continues to improve with each race while Cela Treffry fought well for her 22nd placing. Abi Davies (28th) and Cathay Opie (33rd) are also moving up the league.

The u13 girls' race saw the talented Lizzie Gard just lose the sprint in first place in her race but like Clare Regan in fourth, she is still in her first year of competition and is learning with each race. Rebecca Ansell's seventh place should help to restore her confidence while Sarah Slater (12th) ran well after her recent heavy cold. Joanna Murray (18th) is another first year runner with a lot of potential. Ali Chaplin (33rd) ran bravely despite an injury worry.

The u13 boys finished well with Will Walsh (17th), Tom Welford (18th), George Wilmot (24th) and Will Walsh (25th), the scoring runners. Peter Mallet (27th) was close behind while Adam Woodward (42nd) and Jonathan Brumby (44th) are learning in their first season.

Running against older and stronger boys, the u15 boys' team improved in their finishing positions with Oli Wilmott (29th), Craig Cadwalader (31st) and Tom Treffry (34th).

Michael Welfare finished 34th in a strong u17 field, while Rebecca Turner (31st) and Kayliegh Mulroy made a welcome return to competitive running in the u17 ladies.

The youngest member of the party, Caitlin Mulroy from Ladock School (14) kept the family tradition ticking over.

Next Saturday, the Penair runners will be competing in the Cornwall School Cross Country Championships.