Shrewsbury Athletic Club's Senior Men's and Masters' teams extended their leads at the top of the North Wales Cross Country League standings at the penultimate fixture at Northrop, Deeside. The Senior Men's squad were led home by Matt Hall in 2^nd place, making it two 1sts and two 2nds for the Series so far, followed by James Hickinbottom in 7^th place, one of his highest placings this season and 1^st Veteran Over 35, Connor Middleton 17^th, Luke Butler 21^st, Rob Fox 23^rd and Will Preston 25^th and team scorer in his first cross country race for the Club. The Masters' team comprised James Hickinbottom 7^th, Rob Fox 23^rd and Carl Aveyard 31^st. Pete Savill finished 1^st in the Over 65 Men's race in 22/08, Joe Gilling was 10^th in the Under 17 Race in 22/20 and Grace Hough 138^th and 3^rd Lady Veteran Over 65 in the Women's race in 42/38. Gill Evans arrived well after the start of the Women's race because of a traffic accident delay on the A55, but still completed the course in 26/07. The Senior Men's team look set to retain their Division 1 crown for the fourth successive season if they can repeat this performance at the final fixture at Oswestry on Saturday 2^nd February.

Results:

2 Matt Hall 26/46, 7 James Hickinbottom 27/46(1^st Veteran Over 35), 17 Connor Middleton 29/00, 21 Luke Butler 29/07, 23 Rob Fox 29/11(3^rd Veteran Over 35), 25 Will Preston 29/28, 31 Carl Aveyard 30/17, 37 Kevin Francis 31/00, 41 Stewart Farley 31/24, 91 Haydn Jones 34/34.

Main photo - James Hickinbottom. In the Gallery - Matt Hall. Pics coutesy of NeeNee LJ