Shrewsbury Athletic Club staged a successful home fixture in the North Wales Cross Country League at Walford College on Saturday. Amid the muddy conditions, cold weather and challenging course which included a stream crossing, the Men's team consolidated their lead at the top of Division 1 with one of their best points tallies of the season. In form Matt Hall led the squad home in 2^nd place , followed by team scorers Paul Jones 6^th, Gabe Morris 9^th, Luke Butler 13^th, Pete Middleton 15^th and Robert Fox 20^th, scoring for the Club on his League debut. The Masters team finished 1^st in the team event, moving them to 2^nd equal position overall in the Series and there were individual successes for Paul Jones, 1^st Veteran Over 45, Kevin Francis 1^st Veteran Over 50 and Graham Jones 1^st Veteran Over 60.

The Women's team produced their best cross country performance of the season, led home by Sara Willhoit in 6^th place, followed by Jo Sutton, who made an impressive Club debut finishing 2^nd team scorer in 11^th place, Lauren Morley 15^th, Gill Evans 49^th and Sheila Richards 87^th. Despite their 3^rd placing in Division 1 on the day, the team remain in 6^th place overall and need an equally strong turnout for the final fixture at Oswestry on Saturday 3^rd February in order to move above the relegation zone.

Walford Results:

Men: 2 Matt Hall 34/35, 6 Paul Jones 35/33, 9 Gabe Morris 36/45, 13 Luke Butler 37/33, 15 Pete Middleton 37/44, 20 Robert Fox 38/17, 27 Tom Roo 39/28, 37 Connor Middleton 30/11, 39 Kevin Francis 40/32, 52 Stewart Farley 41/46, 53 Graham Jones 42/05, 81 Richard Jones 44/27, 84 Haydn Jones 45/25, 85 Mike Thomas 45/27, 92 Andy Lewis 46/18.

Women: 6 Sara Willhoit 27/38, 11 Jo Sutton 28/50, 15 Lauren Morley 29/06, 49 Gill Evans 34/35, 87 Sheila Richards 57/04.

There was success for Club runners at the Midland Masters' Cross Country Championships at Wolverhampton, with James Hickinbottom finishing 3^rd overall and 1^st Veteran Over 35 in the 8K race in 30/40 and Pete Savill finishing 3^rd overall and 1^st Veteran Over 65 in the 6K race in 27/09.

Gabe Morris stormed to 2^nd place in the Morning After Race at Church Stretton in 31/55, with Club colleague Andy Lewis 43^rd and 2^nd Veteran Over 60 in 42/32.

Photo. Jo Sutton on her debut for the Club at Walford.